Lucas Graham
Intelligence — it’s something we often equate with success, but things aren’t always that straightforward.
You see, being extremely smart doesn’t necessarily translate into a smooth sail in life.
In fact, there are incredibly intelligent people who, perplexingly, seem to fall behind in life. You might even be one of them.
According to psychology, these individuals usually exhibit certain behaviors that they’re not even aware of.
These behaviors can be the very thing that keeps them from reaching their potential.
In this article, I’m going to shed light on these behaviors. You might recognize yourself in some of them without even realizing it.
Because sometimes, it’s not the lack of ability that holds us back, but our own unrecognized patterns.
1) They’re perfectionists to a fault
When it comes to intelligence, it often comes hand-in-hand with a desire for perfection.
This isn’t inherently a problem. In fact, striving for excellence can lead to remarkable achievements.
But what happens when this drive for perfection turns into an obsession?
Well, for many smart individuals, this is a reality they grapple with.
They set incredibly high standards for themselves and then beat themselves up when they fail to meet them.
This constant pursuit of perfection can lead to stress, burnout, and ironically, underperformance.
2) They struggle with analysis paralysis
Ever heard of the term “analysis paralysis“?
It’s a psychological concept that describes the state of overthinking a situation to the point that a decision or action becomes immobilized.
It’s like being caught in a whirlpool of thoughts, options, possibilities, and what-ifs.
Sounds exhausting, right?
And guess what? Highly intelligent individuals are particularly prone to this.
With their ability to foresee multiple outcomes and scenarios, making a decision can become an overwhelming task.
As a result, they can end up stuck in their own minds, unable to move forward.
If you often find yourself overthinking and unable to make decisions due to fear of possible outcomes, you might be unknowingly falling into this trap of analysis paralysis.
3) They have a tendency to procrastinate
Interestingly, the analysis paralysis we talked about earlier often leads to another common behavior among highly intelligent individuals – procrastination.
Yes, you heard it right.
Those with high IQs are not immune to the lure of putting things off. In fact, they might be more susceptible to it than others.
Why?
Because their ability to foresee complexities and potential challenges in tasks can make even simple things seem daunting. This can lead to avoidance or delay in starting or completing tasks.
But here’s the catch: procrastination is not always about laziness.
Sometimes, it’s the fear of failure, the dread of not meeting one’s own high standards, or the overwhelm from over-analysis that leads to procrastination.
4) They underestimate their own abilities
Have you ever felt like you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be?
This is known as the Impostor Syndrome, a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud”.
Even though they might be highly competent and successful by others’ standards, they feel like they’ve fooled everyone around them.
And guess what? This syndrome is commonly found in highly intelligent and successful individuals.
They constantly feel like they don’t deserve their achievements, attributing them to luck, timing, or deceiving others into thinking they’re more competent than they actually are.
If you often downplay your success and feel like an impostor, it could be a sign that you’re unknowingly holding yourself back.
5) They often neglect their own needs
Highly intelligent individuals are often so engrossed in their pursuits that they forget the most crucial aspect – taking care of themselves.
Here are some ways this neglect can manifest:
- Working long hours without breaks
- Skipping meals or not eating healthily
- Not getting enough sleep
- Ignoring physical exercise
- Neglecting mental health and emotional well-being
These might seem like minor sacrifices in the grand scheme of things, but they add up.
If you’re constantly ignoring your own needs for the sake of achievement, you might be setting yourself up for burnout and hindering your own progress.
6) They struggle to accept compliments
How do you react when someone compliments you? Do you accept it graciously, or do you shrug it off and downplay your achievements?
If it’s the latter, then you’re not alone. Many of us, especially those with high intelligence, struggle to accept compliments.
We fear that accepting a compliment might make us seem arrogant or conceited. Or sometimes, we simply don’t believe we deserve the praise.
I’ve seen this happen time and again. People deflecting the praise they genuinely deserve.
But here’s the thing: it’s crucial to learn to accept compliments. It’s not just about being polite; it’s about acknowledging your worth and embracing your achievements.
So, let’s not brush off those kind words next time. Instead, let’s learn to say a simple “thank you” and take the compliment for what it is – a recognition of our hard work and talents.
7) They have a fear of failure
Imagine you’re about to embark on a new project or take a big step in your life. You’re excited, but there’s also a nagging fear at the back of your mind – what if you fail?
This fear of failure can be paralyzing, especially for highly intelligent individuals.
They’re used to being the best, the ones who always have the answers. So, the thought of not succeeding can seem like an unbearable blow to their self-esteem.
But what if failure wasn’t something to be afraid of? What if it was just a stepping stone on the path to success?
If you’re constantly hesitating to take risks due to fear of failure, it might be time to re-evaluate your perspective. Could this fear be the unseen hurdle holding you back from reaching your full potential?
8) They are prone to overworking
Workaholism – it’s a term we often associate with dedication, commitment, and success. But there’s a fine line between hard work and overworking.
I remember a friend of mine, a brilliant individual with an IQ off the charts. She was always the first one in the office and the last to leave.
Her work was her life, and she prided herself on her ability to outwork everyone else.
But over time, this relentless pace took a toll on her health, relationships, and ironically, her work quality too.
Like my friend, many intelligent individuals believe that they need to keep pushing themselves to the brink to achieve success.
But in doing so, they forget that rest and balance are just as important for sustainable success.
Remember, it’s not just about how hard you work, but also about how smartly you work.
9) They underestimate the importance of emotional intelligence
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, highly intelligent individuals often overlook the significance of emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to understand, use, and manage our own emotions in positive ways. It allows us to empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict.
Individuals with high IQs are often so focused on logical and analytical thinking that they underestimate the importance of EQ. And that’s where they trip up.
Because no matter how smart you are, if you can’t navigate your own and others’ emotions effectively, it can become a roadblock in your personal and professional life.
What can we do about it?
So, we’ve discussed the behaviors that can hold back highly intelligent individuals. But knowing about them is just the first step. The real challenge is to overcome these patterns.
Here are a few steps to start:
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned.
- Embrace imperfection: Perfection is a myth. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Cultivate emotional intelligence: Learn to understand and manage your emotions as well as empathize with others.
- Take care of your well-being: Health is wealth, never compromise on it.
Life isn’t a race against others. It’s a journey of self-improvement and personal growth.
So let’s focus on changing our unhelpful patterns, celebrating our achievements, and embracing our unique journey.
Being smart is not just about having a high IQ. It’s also about understanding ourselves, learning from our experiences, and continually growing as individuals. Because in the grand scheme of things, that’s what truly matters.
