Getting smarter isn’t something that happens overnight. Instead, you have to build your intelligence every day through intentional daily habits. IN a recent Quora thread, “What would you do to be a little smarter every single day?” readers shared their advice on good habits you can establish.
Here are some simple actions that could help you become a smarter person.
Come up with some ideas every day. Think about how to reduce poverty, how to solve a daily problem you have, interesting movie ideas, or anything. It doesn’t matter what subject your ideas fall into, as long as you’re working your brain and your idea muscles.
Your list might even lead to a new startup idea or writing subject.
1. Read the newspaper:
It will help you become more aware of the important things happening around the word. You’ll learn to form your own opinions and connect the dots between seemingly unrelated things. You’ll also have a lot more to talk about at parties or with friend.
2. Instead of watching TV, watch educational videos:
Sometimes, it’s more fun to watch things about a subject you love than to read about it, and you can learn a lot from other people’s experiences. You can find fun, educational videos on Khan Academy or watch TED talks. You can also find good ones on YouTube’s channel Smarter Every Day. In videos, the information is often presented in a digestible, memorable way, so you can be assured they’ll stick.
3. Subscribe to feeds of interesting information:
Follow interesting voices on Facebook and Twitter, so you’ll always learn something new when you look at your newsfeed or dashboard. For example, if you want to keep up with the latest news in science and technology, subscribe to the “I Love Science page on Facebook. You can also follow email newsletters, such as Cal Newport’s Study Hacks and Today I Found Out.
4. Share what you learn with other people:
If you find someone to debate and analyze ideas with, you can add to each other’s knowledge and gain new perspectives. Also, when you can explain ideas to someone else, it means you’ve definitely mastered the concept. You can even share what you learn without directly talking to someone. Many people like to start blogs so they can engage others in online dialogue.
5. Make two lists:
A list of work-related skills you want to learn now and a list for things you want to achieve in the future. Google Docs is a convenient way to keep track of your lists. For both, decide what you want to learn, compile sources that will teach you these skills, and then work on them each day.
For example, if you work in a computer-science related field, your first list might suggest you learn something new in Python one day or that you try using Mongo DB another day.
For your second list, you can think about long-term goals, such as whether you want to go into marketing or architecture. Write down the small steps you need to take to reach that goal, whether it’s by reading the experts in those fields or taking classes at a local college.
6. Make an “I Did” list:
At the end of each day, write down what you completed. This will help you feel better about all the things you accomplished, especially if you’re feeling discouraged. It will also help you reflect on how productive you were and how you can re-structure your to-do lists for the next day.
7. Write down what you learn:
You can start a blog or use an app like Inkpad to help you keep track of everything you learn. Not only will this be a great way to keep a record of everything you’re doing, but it’s also a good source of motivation to keep you accountable. You will want to learn more if you know that at the end of the day you’ll have to write about it.
8. Take online courses:
Check out this list of the most popular online course for professionals. Make sure you don’t overload yourself; commit to one to two and truly focus on them. The syllabi will also keep you on track, so you know you will be doing something every day, whether it’s listening to a lecture or working on an assignment.
9. Talk to someone you find interesting:
Even if they’re strangers, don’t be afraid to approach them. Ask about their interests and how they discovered them. Oftentimes, you learn the most from people you barely know.
10. Hang out with people who are smarter than you:
Spend as much time as you can with smart people. Every day, you should strive to have a coffee date or walk with someone who inspires you. Always be humble and willing to learn. Ask as many questions as possible. If you are always around people who are more knowledgeable than you, you’ll have no choice but to learn more.
11. Do something scary:
“Getting out of our comfort zone always makes us wiser.” Every day, push yourself a little further. Try public speaking by joining a Toastmaster’s class, lead meetings by volunteering a proposal at work, or reach out to someone you really admire by sending a quick letter or email.
12. Play “smart” games:
Some games, like chess and Scrabble, expand your mind. Challenge yourself when you play them. For example, play Scrabble without a dictionary. You can also solve puzzles via games like Sudoku, 2048, and Doors.
13. Apply what you learn:
If you recently learned a new coding skill or how to play an instrument, make sure you are using that skill in your life as often as possible. Learning by doing is one of the most effective ways to become smarter.
14. Learn a new language:
No, you don’t need to become quickly fluent or jaunt off to a foreign country to master the language of your choosing. You can work away steadily from the comfort of your desk and still reap the mental rewards. “Learn a new language. There are a lot of free sites for that.
So just don’t read and ignore it use this tips to become smarter and intelligent.
By Shamim Noorani.
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