Hey everyone, and welcome to TopThink.

Today, we will learn about twelve everyday

habits that make you smarter. Now, let's begin.

Few traits are more personally, professionally, and socially valuable than
intelligence. In simple terms, intelligence is the ability to understand knowledge,
to solve problems, to generate ideas, and to think critically about the world
around you. In all its forms, intelligence has been the subject of hundreds, if not
thousands, of psychological studies. Time and time again, it's been proven to
positively influence almost every aspect of our lives. The most intelligent people
tend to climb higher on the professional ladder and are more likely to achieve
meaningful long-term goals. They tend to find more success in relationships, and
they earn more respect from the people they meet. On a grander scale, highly
intelligent people are mainly responsible for the development of our society.
Creative innovators like Steve Jobs laid the foundations for generations of human
progress. Geniuses like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking transformed how we
understand the world, even the entire universe. From artists and philosophers to
scientists and engineers, the greatest minds through history were able to change
the world forever because they had the discipline and the courage to use their
intelligence to the fullest. They learned, worked, and experimented day in and day
out, constantly searching for inspiration and questioning everything they knew.
Some of these people were naturally gifted, but others were average thinkers just
like anyone else. Yet they climbed to the top of their fields, and they eventually
changed the world. How? By expanding their intelligence each and every day. Most
people don't realize that intelligence isn't set in stone. For instance, Albert
Einstein was called a 'slow learner' by one of his teachers, yet he won a Nobel
Prize in physics, and he became one of the most renowned geniuses in history. In
other words, high intelligence isn't something you're necessarily born with.
Instead, you can develop your intelligence by stimulating your mind and
consistently pushing your intellectual limits. With hard work and the right habits,
anyone can make intelligence their superpower. Anyone can train themselves to think
and create like the smartest people to ever live. In this video, we're going to
explore the many powerful ways you can expand your mind. Whether you're naturally
gifted or just average, these 12 everyday habits can make you smarter than you
think.

1. Meditation increases IQ.

For thousands of years, people from around the world have used one simple exercise
to increase their intelligence. The ancient practice of meditation has been
scientifically proven to enhance your memory, improve concentration, and even raise
your intelligence quotient, or IQ. In one study, avid meditators were asked to take
an IQ test, and their scores were compared to people who never meditated before. On
average, meditators scored 20% higher than non -meditators. They were also more
creative and performed better under pressure, staying calm and focused when others
began to waver. Meditate for a few minutes every day, and you may think,
concentrate, and solve problems like never before.

2. The 'High Exposure' Method.

According to billionaire Warren Buffett, it's possible to rapidly expand our
intelligence every single day. Using the so-called 'high exposure' method, many
ultra-successful people like Buffett were able to climb to the top of their fields.
Here's how it works. Every day, they flood their brains with as many productive
materials as possible. They read about current events, talk to interesting people,
and keep tabs on their industries. They're constantly encountering new information
which inspires innovative ideas and reveals opportunities for growth. While you
can't possibly know everything, that doesn't mean you can't try. Expose your brain
to all kinds of inspiring materials every day, and you'll start generating more
ideas than ever.

3. Make your neurons powerful.

Reading and studying aren't the only ways to grow your intelligence. Studies have
also shown a strong correlation between intellectual performance and physical
exercise. Activities like cardio and strength training promote the growth of cells
called neurons, which transmit signals within your brain. Growing new neurons
expands and complexifies your brain, literally increasing your brain power every
day.

4. The Illusion of Knowledge.

Most people don't question the world around them. They take things at face value,
and they believe whatever they're told, but simply asking more questions can make
you smarter. Get in the habit of questioning everything, no matter how popular or
conventional something seems. Be curious every day and ask as many questions as you
can. Even if it sounds stupid, every question you ask gives you a deeper and more
unique point of view.

5. Einstein's Principle of Learning.

Albert Einstein once said, If you can't explain something simply, you probably
don't understand it well enough. When we learn new things, we tend to paint in
broad strokes. Without mastery, we struggle to retain our knowledge or create new
and bigger connections. That's why Einstein developed this simple test. To figure
out whether you've mastered a concept, explain it to another person in as simple
terms as possible. If they don't understand what you're saying, you may need to
refresh your memory or expand your understanding. Because the person who can
explain something simply is the wisest of all.

6. Intelligence is Contagious.
You're only as intelligent as the people you surround yourself with. This isn't a
hard and fast rule, but your social groups do have a significant impact on your
intellectual development. If you surround yourself with people who aren't
particularly smart, you may not feel challenged or learn anything new. On the other
hand, if you spend time with people who are as smart or smarter than you, one
conversation can elevate your thinking. Talking to brilliant people isn't always
easy. Sometimes, it's downright intimidating, but intelligence is contagious. Make
friends with the smartest person you know, and their intelligence will rub off on
you.

7. The Power of Reflective Writing.

Our thoughts are fleeting and limited. We can only juggle so much information in
our heads, so it's often difficult to mentally process big ideas or work through
complicated problems. This is especially true in our personal lives. We can think
about what direction we're headed or the sources of our anxiety, but these problems
are often too complex to resolve by thinking alone. That's why many people journal
or write about their lives. In writing, we can express our ideas concretely, making
sense of all the thoughts that are swirling around our heads. In a sense, you're
problem-solving every time you put pen to paper, pursuing new conclusions, and
gradually transforming how you think. Now, contrary to popular belief, you don't
have to be a talented writer to write every day. Feel free to express your ideas
in whatever way makes sense to you. Every day, write just one paragraph about your
life, and you may start to see things in a whole new way.

8. Reinvent Your Distractions.

Our lives are full of distractions and time wasters, but these mind-numbing
activities don't have to stifle your intelligence. If you want to become smarter,
make your distractions work for you. In other words, substitute common time wasters
for activities that challenge your mind or teach you something new. For example,
instead of watching a mindless TV show, turn on a thought-provoking documentary.
You're still avoiding your work, but at least you're learning something in the
process.
9. Activate Your Musical Brain.
Studies show that playing an instrument, like a piano or guitar, has an incredible
effect on the human brain. In one study, researchers scanned the brains of
musicians as they played. It turns out that playing an instrument is like giving
your brain a full-body workout. The music itself triggers emotional responses in
the amygdala and cerebellum. At the same time, activity skyrockets in your motor,
auditory, and visual cortexes. But that's not all. Learning an instrument also
improves communication between the hemispheres of your brain while enhancing your
memory and sharpening your motor skills. The list goes on and on, so if you want to
get smarter, start learning an instrument. Whether you're an amateur or
professional, playing music can train your brain like never before.

10. Bite-Sized Reading.

Few activities enhance your intelligence, like reading a book. Not only is reading
an incredible way to accrue knowledge, but it actually changes the structure of
your brain. MRI scans showed increases in brain performance and connectivity after
reading a single book. The problem for many people is motivating themselves to sit
down and read. But it doesn't have to be a time-consuming chore. To experience the
many rewards of this healthy habit, all you need to do is read just two pages a
day. I know it may not sound like much, but this bite-sized habit can expand your
knowledge and change your brain.

11. Outsmart Your Devices.

How many hours do you spend staring at a screen each day? Spending too much time on
your devices can have a negative impact on your cognitive performance.
Too much screen time shortens your attention span, it worsens your memory, and it
even dulls your imagination. So, try stepping away from your devices for at least a
few hours daily. Lowering your screen time by as little as 20% may give you a much-
needed boost of energy and concentration. You'll not only feel more focused, but
you'll have more motivation to learn, grow, and expand your mind.

12. Unlock Your Imagination.

Often the most intelligent people are also the most creative. Creativity allows us
to generate new ideas, to think outside the box, and to solve problems in ways that
others might not. If you want to be more intelligent, spend some time exploring and
developing the freethinking and innovative side of your brain. For example, take up
a creative hobby like writing, painting, or crafting with your hands. Studies have
shown that these activities enhance cognitive performance and nurture new and
interesting ideas. So let your creative mind wander and explore for at least 15
minutes each day. Unlock your imagination, and you might learn to think in a new
way.

Thank you for watching TopThink, and be sure to subscribe, because more incredible
content is on the way.