If people have been telling you that “you are so smart” all your life, then you are probably smart enough to know already, that it is probably your biggest weakness.
Since we are going to talk about your weaknesses, please monitor yourself for defensiveness. (But I am going to keep the pronoun “you” in this blog, because I wanted to write it in dialogue form, partially for myself.)
Here are some of the things you already know–(Catch that? he-he)
1. You probably often assume you know more than the person you are talking to. Even if it is true a lot of the times, the attitude comes off like you are either bossy, snobby, aloof, vain, or any combination of the above. Needless to say, friends and allies often come only from people who can keep up with you. Which brings us to point 2.
2. You are probably a little impatient with others who are slower at grasping things. Because you have been recognized and valued for your ability to grasp things quickly, it is easy to feel superior to others who are slower at it. Not only does this make you impatient, but it bolsters your view that some people are simply better than others. While it may be true, your lack of compassion and patience are more harmful character deficiencies than another person’s slower speed of comprehension.
3. You probably put a lot of emphasis on being right, because how we measure intelligence in today’s society is inherently about knowledge and information. Not only is it about being right, but also about being precise. So here, you may be tempted to fall into arguing someone’s expression, in attempt to get at precision, correct usage and meaning, for example, rather than listening deeply for the point someone else is trying to make and the needs that need to be addressed.
Because you are smart, you are probably good at it reading the fine lines and between the lines. However, when you are tired, hungry, sick, angry, or lonely, your default mode is to nit-pick and establish how right you are (and how wrong “they” are).
4. Because things come easily to you, in learning new things, you have less practice working long and hard at something. I repeat, this is a practiced skill. Consistency and dependability are some of the most important traits in lasting success. When you are easily bored with things, it limits you in most career fields.
5. You don’t give your 100% in anything because 20-50% has been sufficient. You don’t know your true potential.
6. You procrastinate. You are likely to be over-confident in your abilities and you don’t prepare. For all the intelligence you possess, you seem to have a desire to drive in the danger zone, to dare yourself into failure. Why? Like I said, you don’t prepare!
7. Your default response to what people tell you is, “I know.” This is especially true for any advice, corrective suggestion, and/or criticism. Even if you do know it, you actually are not following through with everything you know. So, you are also hounded by a sense of being a failure even as you put up a strong front to everyone.
8. You have a bigger than average fear of being wrong. You are often right, and so you don’t know how to more graciously enter and exit, when you exhibit, as all humans do, *gasp* a mistake.
9. Your self-image may derive so much satisfaction out of being smart that you think you should be better than everyone else. Your perfectionist attitude may keep you from taking public risks or asking the basic questions that you should.
Why am I going over these pitfalls? Because nobody ever receives a challenge that he/she cannot overcome. These are your challenges and you are smart enough to accommodate your weaknesses. Then you will also know how to mentor and guide others, especially smart children, to cope with their double-edged swords.
Excuse me, but please let me ask, -have u wrote it? It’s superb, even on professional level! thanx a lot 4 the post
Yes, I wrote it. Thanks!