I'm A Genius... And So Are You

Written by Troy Harris:

Seek. Find. Embrace. Channel.

What is a genius? The dictionary says that it is a person with an exceptionally high natural capacity of intellect (usually someone who scores above a 140 on their IQ Test). What if I told you that the dictionary was wrong? Would you believe me?

Howard Garnder, a revolutionary psychologist, developed an explanation on intelligence and how we as humans relate to it. He argues that there are 8 components of intelligence, each of which are totally independent of one another:

Bodily-kinesthetic: The ability to use your body well

Dancers, athletes, surgeons etc.

Interpersonal: The ability to be in tune with others' feelings

Salesmen, teachers, politicians etc.

Intrapersonal: The ability to know your own body and mind

Psychologists, psychics etc.

Linguistic: The ability to communicate well (oral and verbal)

Poets, orators, writers etc.

Logical-matematical: The ability to solve higher math and logic problems

Mathematicians

Musical: The ability to learn, perform, and compose music

Musicians, composers etc.

Naturalistic: The ability to understand different species, nature, and objects

Biologists, naturalists etc.

Spatial: The ability to know where you are relative to your surroundings

Sculptors, painters, sailors

http://otec.uoregon.edu/intelligence.htm

Now, consider all of these and then this: (My opinion)

We were each blessed with the same amount of intelligence to be spread around in these different areas. Therefore, we are all equally as intelligent. So if Einstein and Newton are geniuses, then so are you. It's like dealing cards in a game of Spades. We all get the same amount of cards (intelligence) but no two hands are ever alike. There are an infinite amount of ways to play them, but if you do it just right, you can win. So, if that's the case the we should all be just as "successful" and happy, right? WRONG

Here's the catch: The environment we live in only rewards a few of those areas of intelligence (mainly the logically and linguistically sound individuals). This is very prevalent in the biggest and most widely accepted version of evaluating our intelligence, the SAT. For the longest there were only two sections: Math and Verbal (Logistics and Linguistics). If you didn't do well on those two sections, then you weren't smart and most likely not afforded the chance to go to college, the place where all the "intelligent" people go. Recently, they've added the Writing section to the test which doesn't even evaluate any different form of intrinsic insight. And most college Admission Offices don't even consider that part of the Test anyway.

Don't get me wrong, there are rewards for those who are talented in other areas. The athletes (Bodily-kinesthetic) and rappers (Musical) get paid more than alot of people who do perform well on tests in school. But at such a small success rate, the odds are against those who can fill seats and iPods. So, society tells you to "think of more realistic career paths" and numbs your desire to fulfill your true destiny before you can even figure what it is. So what's the young boy to do in class that chooses doodling over note taking because he just simply likes to draw? Or the girl that is considered "slow" because stutters when she talks? Or the kid in the back of the class that can't solve a math problem to save his life but can memorize a song's lyrics in ten minutes? The truth is, I don't know. The only logical route to success in this world is to go to a school that focuses on harnessing skills that only benefit a minor proportion of the entire populous' inner strengths. Sucks huh?

I say all of this not to infuriate, but to motivate. Don't let your circumstances dictate your passion.

First, search for your genius. Don't be afraid to explore and try new things. You never know what lies under the rock until you turn it over.

Next, find it. When you've discovered your passion, hold on and don't let go. It YOURS.

Then, embrace it. Make it your own. Don't be ashamed. We all have a purpose. Think of it as a family member. You were born into it. Nothing you can do about it.

Lastly, channel it. Bottle up your genius and GO. Seriously. Don't think twice.

Whatever you're good at, do it, and do it well. It won't always be easy, but its worth it.

You're a genius... Trust me.