Identifying 4 Uncommon Indicators of Exceptional Intelligence Within Yourself

In the coming years, intelligence is set to become the most valuable commodity. With the world rapidly evolving, the quality of your cognitive abilities will determine your life's direction and outcomes, not simply your hard work.

Superior intelligence can grant you increased autonomy, a sense of tranquility, greater affluence, and an overall more fulfilling existence. However, intelligence is not an innate gift, as many believe. Rather, it can be cultivated and nurtured over time.

In this article, I will discuss four unique markers of higher intelligence. If you already possess these characteristics, that's fantastic. If not, make an effort to acquire them and experience the rewards of a more intelligent life. Let's delve in.

Here are four exceptional signs of superior intelligence to seek within yourself:

1) Your Prioritization is 'What' Before 'How'

The order of these two questions holds significant importance, as I will explain further.

Typically, for the average individual, 'how' follows 'what.' This means that their aspirations are molded by their present abilities. For instance, a student who knows only how to pass an exam and not excel at it would aim for an ordinary college rather than taking an entrance exam for a prestigious university.

On the other hand, individuals with exceptional intelligence prioritize 'what' over 'how.' They first decide what they desire and then figure out 'how' to achieve it. For example, a student sets their sights on attending an Ivy League school and then devises a plan to gain admission.

Individuals who limit their aspirations to their current competence tend to restrain their growth potential. In contrast, those who aim beyond their current abilities ignite their curiosity, driving them to learn and enhance their skills.

Kobe Bryant's Perspective on Encouraging People to Achieve Their Full Potential

During an interview, Kobe Bryant shared his approach to motivating individuals to become the best version of themselves.

Bryant asserted that when presented with a project, if someone responds with, "Sure, I can do that," it does not align with their objectives. The projects that evoke uncertainty and challenge, such as "I'm not certain if I can animate that," "I'm unsure how to craft that story," or "I don't know how to accomplish that," are the ones that should be pursued. By embracing curiosity and venturing outside of one's comfort zone, individuals can achieve levels of excellence that they previously thought were unattainable.

2) You Propose Solutions, Not Just Problems

People tend to fall into one of two categories.

The first type of person identifies a problem and reports it to their superior, awaiting instructions on how to resolve it. The second type of person, however, offers potential solutions to a problem before seeking guidance from their boss.

Initially, when starting out in any field, most individuals are the first type of person as they have yet to gain experience. However, the issue arises when people remain in this category indefinitely and do not progress to the second type, thereby contributing little to their workplace.

To avoid being stagnant, aim to become the second type of person. When presented with a problem, take time to understand it, and develop several solutions rather than just one. Approach your boss or mentor with your menu of possible solutions, and take note of their feedback when they accept or reject them. By doing so, you will continue to learn and grow in your field.

Number 3: You Recognize Your Biases

Daniel Kahneman in his book "Thinking Fast and Slow" discusses two types of thinking: fast and slow. This system was developed by our brains to increase efficiency.

In our daily lives, we make numerous decisions, and we can't spend too much time on each one. Therefore, our brains have developed the ability to think fast by using mental shortcuts, also known as heuristics.

While these mental shortcuts are generally helpful, they can lead to various cognitive biases. Mental shortcuts are only possible by disregarding some information. For instance, confirmation bias makes you ignore evidence that contradicts your beliefs, and you only acknowledge evidence that supports your beliefs. Such biases can prevent you from seeing the truth.

A sign of higher intelligence is recognizing these biases and being cautious when the stakes are high. To develop this trait, I suggest the following two methods:

4) You’re able to put your intelligence on a leash when needed

Being able to put your intelligence on a leash when needed is a sign of higher intelligence. It's important to recognize that there is always more to learn and that being knowledgeable in one area doesn't make you an expert in everything.

This is often seen in professionals, like doctors or lawyers, who struggle to be patients or clients because their expertise gets in the way of listening to others. It's important to recognize when your intelligence is hindering your ability to learn and grow.

To avoid this, it's essential to stay humble and open to new ideas, even if they contradict your existing beliefs. Being able to listen and learn from others is a crucial trait of intelligent individuals.

Identifying 4 Uncommon Indicators of Exceptional Intelligence Within Yourself