{"id":58589,"date":"2018-07-26T20:30:53","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T04:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=58589"},"modified":"2018-07-26T20:30:53","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T04:30:53","slug":"how-to-succeed-if-you-are-not-that-smart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-succeed-if-you-are-not-that-smart\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Succeed if You are “Not that Smart”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Here are 5 people who were thought to be failures. \u00a0Do they fit the mold of a \u201csuccessful person\u201d? You decide<\/b><\/p>\n

Never formally finishing high school after being arrested for selling drugs, he was thought to be a complete failure. \u00a0Despite being labeled as such, he went on to own and operate multiple successful companies including SMS audio, SK energy, SMS promotions, a significant stake in Vitamin Water and made many significant charitable contributions. \u00a0This is Curtis Jackson also known as 50 cent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Struggling with the written word, he candidly admits to relying on classic comic books to barely make it through reading assignments. \u00a0As a freshman in college, he failed English classes but then found refuge in math. Eventually, he settled into economics. Despite having a learning disability, he went on to form the nation’s first and largest discount brokerage firm overseeing 500 billion in assets. \u00a0This is Charles Schwab<\/span><\/p>\n

Failing the 9th grade 3 times before giving up and dropping out at age 17 because he could not pass his math classes. \u00a0His early practices included staying up all night reading the dictionary to write rhymes. Today considered a lyrical genius, many consider him as the greatest rapper alive and if you listen to his lyrics carefully, I think you might agree. \u00a0\u00a0This is Marshal Mathers also known as Eminem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still the butt of many jokes because of illiteracy and lack of \u201cintelligence\u201d, he has a near perfect boxing record. \u00a0He was the highest paid athlete in 2010 bringing in $60 million in 1 year and the first person ever to be paid over $200 million in 1 day for a fight. \u00a0He comments \u201che is an intelligent businessman.\u201d and \u201cI would be perfect at reading if it was how I may my living to feed my family.\u201d This is Floyd Mayweather.<\/span><\/p>\n

All of the people in the above examples were considered \u201cnot that smart\u201d and\/or \u201cdumb\u201d. \u00a0They had low test scores, poor grades, lacked \u201cintelligence\u201d and didn\u2019t pursue the STEM (science technology engineering and math). \u00a0Are they successful?<\/span><\/p>\n

Some would contribute it to working really hard or dumb luck but, repeated success with a proven track record, tells us something else, they are nowhere near dumb. \u00a0They are extremely intelligent in ways that are overlooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how can you be successful if you are \u201cnot that smart?\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

What is successful?<\/b><\/p>\n

First, you need to determine what exactly is <\/span>your definition of success<\/span><\/a>? \u00a0Without having a solid understanding of what fulfills<\/span> YOU <\/b>and <\/span>ONLY YOU<\/b>, you will never truly be successful. \u00a0Instead, you will be working hard chasing someone else\u2019s dreams and living a life revolving around someone else’s expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n

To some, success is spending lots of time with their beautiful family and kids, to others, it\u2019s no family and spending lots of time at work. \u00a0Regardless of it is you must determine this for yourself and figure out if what you are doing is truly aligned with your definition of success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone is smart<\/b><\/p>\n

Being \u201csmart\u201d is relative. \u00a0Eminem failed the 9th grade 3 times. \u00a050 cent didn\u2019t finish high school, Charles Schwab and Floyd Mayweather couldn\u2019t read. \u00a0(Mayweather still can\u2019t)<\/span><\/p>\n

How is Eminem referred to as a lyrical genius? or \u00a050 cent referred to as a business genius? and Charles Schwab again be referred to as extremely intelligent?<\/span><\/p>\n

There are<\/span> 8 different main types of intelligence<\/span><\/a>. Some include being intelligence in music, art, people and nature. \u00a0All the types of intelligence are valuable and equally impressive. Overall society places an emphasis on being book smart, what is taught in school. (mathematical and language). \u00a0Other forms of intelligence should not be neglected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stupid is as stupid does. \u00a0Everyone possesses a unique intelligence that may go undiscovered. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are you naturally smart at?<\/b><\/p>\n

Truly successful people have figured out their natural \u201csmartness\u201d and worked hard to increase natural talent instead of bringing a weakness to mediocre at best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eminem couldn\u2019t do math but had a natural ability with words (linguistic and musical intelligence). \u00a0Charles Schwab couldn\u2019t read but was amazing with numbers (mathematical intelligence). Fortunately, he was good at driving results through others because of his interpersonal intelligence. <\/span><\/p>\n

Each of them pursued their strengths. \u00a0If they followed conventional wisdom and just worked hard bringing their weaknesses to mediocre at best they would not have been as successful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find your vehicle<\/b><\/p>\n

Being smart alone, does absolutely nothing, it is the application of your intelligence. \u00a0Your vehicle is the application through a craft, art, job, lifestyle, career, profession, business, trade etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find your launch pad<\/b><\/p>\n

Without an environment to exercise and develop your skills effectively, time and energy will be wasted on low value tasks. \u00a0Instead of continuing on the path to greatness, your growth and development will be stunted and non-existent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine getting a job as an engineer to apply your strengths in mathematics, reasoning and problem solving, you begin working and instead of working on challenging projects, your boss gives you busy work not related to skill of engineering. \u00a0Wouldn\u2019t that stifle the growth of your engineering skills?<\/span><\/p>\n

You may be working extremely hard and be \u201csuccessful\u201d in that role in the company but you\u2019re shooting yourself in the foot because you are not developing any real engineering skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is equivalent to:<\/span><\/p>\n

A painter who wants to get good but never paints. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A writer who wants to get good but never writes. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A doctor who wants to get good but never practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

A good launch pad is an environment will give you direct experience in your craft, career, profession, art, etc. \u00a0Not only will it give you direct experience but also:<\/span><\/p>\n