Many people are to quick to throw around the S word (smart) without much thought. Nowadays, anyone who exhibits even a modicum of intelligence and passion in a particular capacity is considered to be a relatively smart person, but not in my book. I actually have five requirements that any given person needs to meet before I consider the person to be a smart one.
I created the five requirements to be a smart person because I got tired of everyone throwing around that cliche S word like it means nothing. Smart is a title that is to be earned as it is not some ambiguous way of describing someone who manages to woo someone with his or her trivial knowledge. Being smart is not about one possessing copious amounts of knowledge, but rather it is more so about a person thinking in such a way that advantageous to his or her advancement in life.
Here are the five requirements to be a smart person in a world of cretins:
- Think Long-Term – Smart people understand that the things they do now affect the outcome of their future. It is critical that you consider carefully the things you do in the present moment as everything you do now (even the things you lack to do) impact your future. Being successful involves always thinking about the future. The thing that levels the playing field of life is that we all get the same amount of time in a day; however, the things that we indulge in with our given time is what sets up apart and makes us individuals. Dumb people do not think about the future, which is why they typically run into misfortune that could have been prevented.
- Invest Money – Smart people grow their income by making investments in themselves or others because they understand that although trading man hours for money is very helpful, it is even more fruitful to make one’s money work for him. The traditional dogma about working hard and saving as much money as possible is perfectly fine, but investing money is still better as it reaps greater rewards. This leads me to the next requirement to be a smart person, don’t be afraid to take risks.
- Take Risks – Smart people take risks because we understand that we have to sacrifice something in order to gain something bigger. I am not hinting that you should be foolish and risk everything, but you should take calculated risks once in awhile to prosper. Don’t be the person who did not even have enough courage to try something new. Courage takes us forward whereas fear holds us back. Keep in mind that the right risk taken at the right time could lead to much success.
- Emphasize Strengths – Some people (dumb people of course) actually sit around and ruminate about the things that they are not good at, then they wonder why their lives are not the way they want them to be. Smart people put all of their focus into their strengths because their weaknesses cannot take them forward. One would think that it would be common sense to focus on one’s strengths to lead a more fulfilling life, yet many people make a big deal of their weaknesses and downfalls as if those are the things that will make them better people.
- Blame Not – Smart people understand that if we want to advance in life, then we have to take 100% responsibility for our current situation. Even if what we are experiencing is not our fault, we still take 100% responsibility for our circumstances because to do anything other than that is to make your life objective and give your power to succeed away to others who should not have a say-so in your life’s progress. When all is said and done, blaming others does not get the job done and smart people understand this noble concept.