top 20 qualities of smart people

Something interesting for your reading leisure.

Top 20 Qualities of Smart People

by Michelle L. Casto
In today's competitive world, it pays to be smart. No matter how smart you are, I am sure there is something you could "get smarter"
about.

Below are some qualities of smart people. As you read the list, ask yourself: Am I as smart as I could be in this area? How could I get smarter?

> > > 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 Confucious once said, "He who knows others
is
> >wise, he who knows himself is enlightened," they know that 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 adjusts their course of action as
> >needed. They think about things before jumping in, and also take the time
> >after-the-fact to actively reflect to fully understand what happened or
> >didn't happen.
> > >
> > > 4. Think Out-of-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 what 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 that they
need.
> >They are well-networked and have people to call on for resource
referrals.
> > >
> > > 8. Question Authority
> > > Smart people think for themselves. They do not 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 are 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 do not 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 is 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 everyday.
> > >
> > > 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 world, 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