10 Habits of Highly Intelligent Women

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One of my favourite topics as a student of psychology was INTELLIGENCE.

Why?

Because prior to being taught the topic, I considered myself unintelligent.

Even though in my elementary school days, I was a brilliant student.

In fact, more often than not, I topped the class.

I got gifts for that and got gifts for being the best student in the English language.

Sometimes, I got gifts for being a well-behaved student.

I did pretty well in high school, and in my second year at university, I received a Dean’s award for having a first-class grade.

Still, I didn’t consider myself intelligent because I was so poor at anything calculations.

I didn’t consider myself smart enough.

I thought of myself as just being book-smart.

But when we had classes on intelligence, my eyes opened.

Like, damn!

I. Am. Intelligent!

There are many theories of intelligence, but this is not a psychology class, so we don’t have to go in-depth.

But one of the most important lessons I learned is the theory that there are different facets of intelligence and that intelligence shouldn’t be defined based on a single criterion—IQ (Intelligence Quotient).

IQ usually measures academic intelligence, and this isn’t the only measure of intelligence.

Just because someone isn’t doing well academically or in one aspect of learning doesn’t mean they’re not intelligent.

They’re simply differently intelligent, thus, everyone is intelligent, only in different ways.

There are different types of intelligence –

academic intelligence
creative intelligence
social intelligence
financial intelligence
abstract intelligence
mechanical intelligence etc.

Another very important lesson I held on to was the argument that intelligence could be innate or acquired – the nature versus nurture controversy.

Some theorists believe intelligence is genetic, while others believe intelligence can be acquired through various environmental influences.

Well, I tend more towards the nurture argument because I believe anyone can be whoever and whatever they want to be.

Just because you didn’t inherit a trait doesn’t mean you can’t work on yourself to possess that trait.

Everything that we need to be successful in life will not be given to us naturally, we have to work for some.

Even that which you possess naturally needs to be maintained by some positive habits.

Talent is Never Enough by John C. Maxwell, one of the best books in history buttresses this.

Now, what is intelligence?

There are many definitions of intelligence, but this is just fine for the purpose of this article.

Intelligence is “the ability to use memory, knowledge, experience, understanding, reasoning, imagination, and judgment in order to solve problems and adapt to new situations.” AllWords Dictionary, 2006

So, what are the habits of a highly intelligent woman?

What habits will help you do all that is listed in the definition above?

10 Habits of Highly Intelligent Women

1. They are curious

Intelligent women aren’t nonchalant to their environment and the way things work.

Their curiosity drives them to want to know things.

Because curiosity is a powerful force that drives us to seek knowledge and discover new things.

It is an integral part of what makes us human, and without it, we would not have made the advancements that we have today.

To be an intelligent person, you don’t necessarily need to be curious about everything on the planet because you can’t be interested in everything.

There simply isn’t enough time in the world for one to be interested in every single thing.

To sharpen your intelligence, however, you have to be curious about the things that matter to you things and pique your interest.

Take some of the most influential people in history, for example.

Their insatiable curiosity was what drove them to push the boundaries of knowledge and make groundbreaking discoveries.

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists of all time, famously said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

It was this curiosity that led him to develop his famous theory of relativity. 

Similarly, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was known for his relentless curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

His curiosity about technology and design led him to create some of the most innovative products that have changed the way we live.

Intelligent women are curious by nature and are not afraid to push the boundaries of knowledge. 

They are constantly seeking new information and insights, always looking for ways to expand their minds and challenge conventional thinking.

 

2. They ask questions

When you’re curious, you seek answers from people who seem to have them.

Intelligent women don’t claim to know it all.

They ask questions to satisfy their curiosity. 

They are not afraid to admit their lack of knowledge and understand that asking questions can help them gain new perspectives and insights. 

Questions usually arise from deep thought; thus, intelligent women engage people with questions in order to get answers.

 

3. They read a lot

One major way to gain knowledge is by reading.

Usually, people who know a lot believe they don’t know enough.

And people who feel they know everything actually know nothing.

So, it is not surprising that highly intelligent women are constantly seeking knowledge because they have an insatiable taste for knowledge.

Therefore, they are voracious readers, with their noses constantly in a book or anything readable.

They read for fun too, but they usually turn every reading experience into a learning experience.

If you want to be an intelligent woman, you’ve got to be a lover of books! 

I can’t emphasize this enough.

Reading is a powerful tool for gaining knowledge and expanding your mind. 

Not only does reading provide you with new information, but it also helps to improve your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

Intelligent women understand the value of continuously learning and broadening their perspectives through reading. 

They are constantly seeking new ideas and perspectives, and reading allows them to do just that.

Moreover, reading has been linked to reducing stress and improving mental health. 

This is especially important for intelligent women who are often juggling multiple responsibilities and challenges in their lives. 

Taking the time to read can provide a much-needed escape and rejuvenation. 

I love reading because it allows me to explore different worlds and perspectives without ever leaving the comfort of my own home. 

It’s a form of self-care that not only nourishes my mind but also helps me to relax and unwind after a long day.

This best-selling LED rechargeable book light makes reading enjoyable at night, especially in bed.

You should check it out.

 

4. They embrace challenges

Remember, intelligence involves solving problems and adapting to new situations.

Well, challenges are new situations, and intelligent women use their memory, knowledge, reasoning and experience to tackle them instead of shying away from them.

When I proceeded to study psychology as a Registered Nurse, I didn’t expect that I’d be doing a lot of statistics as a psychology student.

I don’t like Maths!

To my surprise, statistics turn out to be what makes psychology a (social) science, and it’s done from year one to final year.

It’s a compulsory course with the capacity to determine your graduation.

What did I do?

I told myself there was no way I’d carry it over or spend an extra year in school.

So, I started studying the course extra hard and mastered all the formulas.

I later discovered it wasn’t that hard, in fact, I found it interesting.

I not only tutored others who had problems with the course, but I also looked forward to the exams.

Believe me when I say I had an A in the course from my second year until graduation.

I realized I could achieve anything I set my heart to achieve.

Intelligent women are problem solvers.

They don’t say “I can’t”.

Rather, they’d say ” I’ll try”.

They see every problem as a challenge and a test of intelligence, not a difficulty that cannot be surmounted.

Highly intelligent women are not afraid of challenges.

After all, how will you know how intelligent you are if you don’t put your skills to the test?

 

5. They think a lot

 

You need to engage your intellect to be intelligent because you gain a lot of insight when you think.

Intelligent women come up with great insights because they meditate a lot.

If you want to be an intelligent woman, you need to make it a habit to meditate.

Set some time apart every day to engage in positive reasoning, not depressing thoughts. 

Meditation allows you to clear your mind and focus on problem-solving, instead of getting bogged down by negative thoughts.

It’s also a great way to enhance your creativity and come up with unique solutions to problems.

 

6. They imagine

 

You can think and not imagine.

Intelligent women are imaginative!

Your level of intelligence is linked to your imaginative power.

Most of the great artworks, movies, songs, and inventions we enjoy today are products of their owners’ imaginations.

If you want to sharpen your intelligence, you have to constantly exercise your imagination.

There’s power in your imagination.

Unlock it.

Use it.

And the most amazing thing about it is that, whatever you imagine, you can achieve.

There’s no limit to your imaginative power.

They say ‘imagiNATION’ is the nation you can travel to without a passport. 

So why not use this powerful tool to create and explore new ideas, concepts, and solutions?

Let your imagination be the bridge that connects you to endless possibilities.

It’s time to let go of limitations and embrace your imaginative power.

What do you see in this world?

What kind of life do you imagine for yourself?

By tapping into your imagination, you open up a whole new realm of creativity and innovation.

You can come up with unique solutions to problems that seemed impossible before.

Don’t underestimate the power of your imagination.

Use it to enhance your intelligence and discover all that you are capable of.

 

7. They spend time alone

 

Highly intelligent women are not afraid to spend time alone because that is when they meditate, reflect, and imagine.

Yes, they enjoy the company of others but also spend time in solitude to recreate themselves.

They ask themselves pertinent questions on what they are doing right, what they are doing wrong, what they need to improve on, their goals, and how far they are working to achieve them.

It is from this place of solitude they find inspiration to push for excellence in all that they do.

There are so many distractions in our world today—social media, phones, TV, emails, and incessant notifications from them all—that it is difficult for people to spend time alone.

However, highly intelligent women make it a discipline to have some ME time because they are aware of its importance.

As a wife, mom, and boss, I find it crucial for me to have moments of solitude to reflect, recharge, and refocus.

And this is why I stay up for hours at night after my family has gone to bed, just so I can have that quiet time to myself.

I also try to wake up early in the mornings, before the chaos of the day begins, to have some time alone, especially with God, because it sets the tone for my day.

This practice has helped me to maintain a sense of balance and control in my life, even during the busiest of times.

Highly intelligent women know that self-care is essential, not just for their own well-being but also for their ability to excel in all areas of their lives.

They understand that self-care is not selfish; it is necessary.

 

8. They socialise and network

 

In the same vein, intelligent women understand that no one is an island and that no one can do it all alone.

We all need people.

So, they don’t alienate people.

No, they are not pushovers who need people’s approval before they can be themselves, so they don’t pander to everybody’s opinion.

But they don’t also chase people away; they enjoy spending time with like-minded people, learning and benefiting from them, and helping others.

Highly intelligent women are emotionally intelligent.

They understand people, their motivations and emotions as well as theirs.

 

9. They play hard

Highly intelligent women work smart; nobody can accuse them of being lazy.

But they also play hard.

They do things they enjoy.

They find time to enjoy their hobbies and try to balance their work and social lives. 

They know the importance of taking breaks and recharging their minds, bodies, and souls.

Playing hard also helps highly intelligent women connect with others and build meaningful relationships outside of their work. 

They understand that life is not just about achieving success, but also about enjoying the journey along the way.

 

10. They give back

Intelligent women understand the importance of giving back to society.

They know they have something others can benefit from, and they can show gratitude by pulling other people up.

They are either volunteering somewhere, giving their resources to the volunteers, or just helping someone in need around them.

They are not self-absorbed or think that the world revolves around them.

Highly intelligent women are not necessarily the wealthiest, but they give back to others within their capacity, which doesn’t have to be monetary.

Now, it is important to note that there are exceptions to every rule, and this list is not exhaustive.

However, you cannot engage in these ten habits of highly intelligent women and not realise that your intellect is being positively impacted.

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