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Tip 8 - How to increase your intelligence and adaptability
Either way it can be difficult to achieve this by oneself and the help of a coach can enable swift improvement. Click here to arrange an introductory session to find out more.
If you are keen to be happier or more successful, then it is likely that you will want to learn to do something new or better. In this regard an attitude of ‘life long learning’ is extremely useful to develop. The more we learn, the more ‘intelligent’ we can become, the easier it is to change to new circumstances.
How does one start and what are the first steps? Learning comes by experiencing different ways: of behaving, of communicating and responding.
Take a look at this diagram …
You may be familiar with this learning cycle. You can see that the very first step is to accept that there is likely to be ‘stuff’ that ‘you don’t know that you don’t know’ - the unconscious incompetence quadrant.
If your awareness has brought you to this realisation then exploration might lead you to have a particular goal. If a goal is not immediately obvious, then exploring ‘models’ of intelligence that encompass a wide range of thinking (which are therefore more likely to include areas that are unknown to us) may be useful. These may help us discover where our development may most usefully be focused.
One such model is Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences (see link) .
He believes that people are able to learn and improve their intelligence throughout their lives. So far he has identified ten intelligences, all of which are needed for success and happiness in life. As you read the descriptions below, consider your areas of strength and weakness (if any).
1. Verbal/Linguistic. To do with the production of words and language, including poetry, novels, drama.
2. Logical/Mathematical. Helps us to be problem solvers. Often described as scientific thinking.
3. Visual/Spatial. Used in creating not only tangible arts, such as paintings and sculpture, but also mental images.
4. Bodily/Kinaesthetic. Helps people learn by doing; especially through hands-on activities.
5. Naturalistic. To do with the abilities to classify and categorise in nature. To be aware of natures’ rhythms and to be sensitive to their environment.
6. Musical/Rhythmic. Helps people to recognise rhythmic and tonal patterns, and to be sensitive to their acoustic environment.
7. Intrapersonal. Provides knowledge of your own feelings, emotions and thinking processes.
8. Interpersonal. Enables people to work cooperatively together.
9. Existential. Enables people to situate themselves within a larger context, whether it is a workplace or their community.
10. Moral. To do with ethics, humanity, value of life.
Which would you choose to develop to increase your overall intelligence?
Perhaps it helps to ask these questions:
· Verbal/Linguistic: How can I better use the spoken or written word?
· Logical/Mathematical: How can I improve with numbers, calculations, logic, classifications, or critical thinking?
· Visual/Spatial: How can I usefully use more visual aids, visualisation, colour, art, metaphor, or visual organisers?
· Naturalistic: How can I get more in touch with natural environment, plants and animals?
· Musical/Rhythmic: How can I utilise or appreciate more music, melody or environmental sounds and develop better rhythm?
· Bodily/Kinaesthetic: How can I involve my whole body, or get more hands-on experiences?
· Intrapersonal: How can I evoke more personal feelings or memories, or give myself more choices?
· Interpersonal: How can I engage more in peer or cross-age sharing, cooperative experiences, or large-group interactions?
· Existential: How can I get more involved with my community? How can I expand my awareness of where I work and the importance of my contribution?
· Moral: How far have I considered the purpose of my life? What are my core values and am I living them? What are my beliefs about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’?
It is often the case that your strengths are associated with what work you do. Whereas the weaker areas could be associated with hobbies. For a particular effort the increase in intelligence in a stronger area is likely to be less than if the focus is on a weaker area. For example it is quite hard for an Olympic athlete to improve his performance by 5%. Whereas if someone hasn’t done any athletics before it’s quite easy to improve by 25%.