THE TOP 20 QUALITIES OF SMART PEOPLE
Is There Anything You Could "Get Smarter" About?
By Michelle Casto
In today's competitive world, it pays to be smart. No matter how smart you are, I'm sure there's something you could "get smarter" about. Below are some qualities of smart people. As you read this list, ask yourself: Am I as smart as I could be in this area? How could I get smarter?
In general, smart people:
1. Make Decisions Intuitively--Smart people listen to and follow their intuition. They know how intuitions and insights come to them and are tuned-in internally to make wise decisions.2. Are Self-Aware--Smart people are aware of who they are--strengths, weaknesses, personality, values, etc. As Confucius once said, "He who knows others is wise, he who knows himself is enlightened." They know the most important (and interesting) thing to know about is "self."
3. Use Active Reflection--Smart people reflect on and learn from past experiences, finding out what works and what doesn't, and then adjust their course of action as needed. They think about things before jumping in, and also take the time after the fact to actively reflect and fully understand what happened or didn't happen.
4. Think Out-of-the-Box--Smart people can easily entertain new ideas, thoughts, and ways of doing things. They crave progressive and forward thinking information, concepts, and people. They often come up with new and radical ideas on a regular basis.
5. Have An Open Mind--Smart people are open to different perspectives and see potential where most people don't. They would agree with the quote, "A mind is like a parachute, it only functions when it is open." They are comfortable with paradoxes and can relate to many sides of an issue or opinion.
6. Are Responsive--Smart people recognize and respond quickly to opportunities and people. They act and react fast, and take care of what needs to be taken care of, well ahead of schedule.
7. Are Resourceful--Smart people don't have to know it all, but they do know where to go to get whatever information, resources, training, education they need. They're well-networked and have people to call on for resource referrals.
8. Question Authority--Smart people think for themselves. They don't blindly believe things so-called "experts" say. In fact, they ask deep questions to discover their own truth.
9. Upgrade Their Brain--Smart people stay smart because they're committed to being a lifelong learner. They continuously learn new things, and stay current with their skills, attitudes and beliefs.
10. Have a Sense of Humor--Smart people don't take themselves or life too seriously. They recognize the importance of finding the fun in the irony and the comedy of everyday life.
11. Take Risks--Smart people are willing to try out new things, knowing that if it doesn't work out as intended, failure is often cleverly disguised as a learning opportunity. They "swing out there" often, and it usually pays off.
12. Trust Themselves--Smart people believe and trust themselves first and foremost. They don't have to check with others to make decisions. They instinctively know what's right for them and they go for it.
13. Write and List Things on Paper--Smart people have a well-developed life strategy that includes a written life vision/mission, purpose, and goals statement. They also write lists--one for "have to's" and one for "want to's."
14. Are Productive--Smart people get things done, through whatever organizational/time management system that works for them. They make the most of each day and take action on important life tasks each and every day.
15. Use Discernment--Smart people are able to discern (see clearly) other's reasons and motives, so they selectively choose who and what to align themselves with. They surround themselves with only the highest quality people, programs, and places.
16. Read, Read, Read--Smart people tap into the collective brain power of others by reading books, magazines, articles--anything that is helpful for their own development. They are also able to filter out the information that fits for them and let the rest go.
17. Value Learning--Smart people value the process of learning for learning's sake. They do not just learn for a specific end--to get a certificate, degree, title, etc. They learn because it is intrinsically rewarding for them.
18. Teach Others--Smart people are the teachers of the word, who share their knowledge with other people. They put themselves out there so the rest of us can benefit, and in exchange, their own learning grows and develops because they are actively talking about, researching, and understanding their subject.
19. Reinvent Themselves--Smart people do not like to stay the same--they love to grow and develop. They often play with their image, brand, company name, and expand or change it entirely. To stay ahead of the game, they often reinvent themselves time and time again.
20. Are Students of Life--Smart people not only know about specific subjects and topics, but also about what it means to be a human being at this time in our evolution. They are insatiably curious and want to know more about becoming bigger and brighter. As a result, they naturally evolve.
As Lao Tzu said, "To gain knowledge, add things everyday. To gain wisdom, remove things everyday." This is so true, our brain is like a computer and in order for it to function at a higher level, we must always be adding, while simultaneously taking away information that no longer serves us. Think about it--what do you want to remove from your database? And what new software program will you replace it with?
Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed., is a Whole Life Coach, Speaker, and Author of the Get Smart! Learning Book Series, which includes books and workbooks on romantic relationships, career development, life purpose/life strategy, and stress management. Her coaching practice is Brightlight Coaching. She empowers people to live with passion, purpose, and possibility, and inspires them to freely shine their brightlight to the world.
To learn more or to subscribe to the Get Smart! Live Smart newsletter, Visit:
http://www.getsmartseries.com or http://www.brightlightcoach.com
You may also email Michelle coach@getsmartseries.com
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