7 reading habits that indicate a high level of intelligence

Reading is a fundamental skill, but not all reading habits are created equal.

Some habits hint at a deeper level of understanding, and an ability to see beyond the words on the page. They indicate a mind that’s not just absorbing information but actively engaging with it.

These are the habits of highly intelligent readers. They don’t merely consume words, they interact with them, questioning, connecting, and drawing conclusions.

Let’s explore 7 reading habits that suggest a high level of intelligence.

1) Reading across disciplines

Intelligence is not just about the depth of knowledge in a specific field, but also about the breadth of understanding across different areas. Highly intelligent readers don’t limit themselves to a single genre or subject matter.

Cross-disciplinary reading nurtures the ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated topics. It fosters creativity and helps in generating innovative ideas. This habit is indicative of an open mind that’s always ready to learn and grow.

The habit of reading widely across various disciplines indicates a curiosity about the world and a desire to understand it from multiple perspectives. It’s a sign of intellectual versatility and adaptability – key characteristics of high intelligence.

2) Reflective reading

Another habit that speaks volumes about a person’s intelligence is reflective reading.

This is the practice of not just reading for the sake of it, but taking time to pause, think, and reflect on what has been read. It’s about engaging with the text, questioning its ideas, and evaluating its arguments.

As an advocate for self-awareness and personal growth, I often find myself immersed in a profound passage, allowing it to marinate in my mind. This process of reflection enhances comprehension and encourages deeper understanding.

Reflective reading signifies an active mind that doesn’t just accept information passively but interrogates it and draws its own conclusions. It’s a sign of analytical thinking and critical reasoning, both hallmarks of intelligence.

3) Constant curiosity

Intelligent readers are often characterized by an insatiable curiosity. They’re not satisfied with surface-level understanding, but dig deeper, always seeking to learn more, grasp the nuances, and uncover the underlying truths.

This curiosity drives them to delve into various topics, ask probing questions, and constantly seek out new knowledge. It’s a thirst for understanding that goes beyond mere information gathering.

In my own journey of self-growth and exploration, I’ve found that this constant curiosity has been a driving force. It has led me to profound insights and a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

One video where I dive deep into this concept is on the topic of “the illusion of happiness.” In it, I challenge the common belief that pursuing happiness is the key to a fulfilling life. Instead, I argue that true contentment comes from within – from embracing life’s challenges, fostering meaningful relationships, and staying true to ourselves.

Watch it here:

YouTube video

If you’re curious to explore more ideas like this about living a life with more purpose and freedom, I invite you to join over 20,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel. You can subscribe here.

4) Embracing challenging texts

Another reading habit that indicates a high level of intelligence is the willingness to grapple with challenging texts.

Whether it’s a complex philosophical treatise, a dense scientific paper, or an avant-garde piece of literature, highly intelligent readers are not deterred by difficulty.

Instead, they see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. They understand that the most rewarding insights often come from the most challenging sources.

It’s not about effortlessly understanding everything they read, but about pushing their cognitive boundaries and expanding their mental horizons.

This aligns with my belief in embracing obstacles as opportunities for growth. Every time we encounter a challenging text and choose to engage with it, rather than shy away from it, we’re exercising our intellectual muscles and fostering resilience.

This is not always an easy path. It requires patience, persistence, and often a willingness to confront our own limitations. But as with any worthwhile endeavor, the rewards are commensurate with the effort invested.

As an advocate for personal growth and self-awareness, I believe that challenging ourselves in this way is integral to our intellectual development and ultimately our capacity to create positive change in the world.

5) Reading for empathy

Highly intelligent readers often use reading as a tool to better understand and empathize with others. By immersing themselves in the lives, perspectives, and experiences of diverse characters, they broaden their worldview and deepen their capacity for empathy.

Reading for empathy is a powerful way to cultivate compassion and understanding. It allows us to step into someone else’s shoes, even if just for a moment, and see the world through their eyes.

It underscores the profound importance of empathy in human relationships and society at large. Empathy helps us to connect on a deeper level with those around us, fostering mutual respect and cooperation.

6) Reading less, but more deeply

In our fast-paced world where information is abundant, there’s often a push to read more – more books, more articles, more content. However, highly intelligent readers understand the value of reading less, but more deeply.

Rather than racing through books to increase their count, they take time with each one, fully digesting and reflecting on the ideas presented. They engage with the text, question its assertions, and draw connections to their own experiences and knowledge.

I’ve always been a firm believer in taking responsibility for our personal growth and learning. It’s not about consuming as much information as possible, but about cultivating a deeper understanding and integrating that knowledge into our worldview.

By choosing depth over quantity in our reading habits, we can foster greater comprehension and insight. It is a testament to an individual’s intellectual maturity and desire for meaningful learning.

7) Reading as a form of self-awareness

The final reading habit that indicates a high level of intelligence is using reading as a tool for self-awareness.

Intelligent readers don’t just read to gather information or be entertained. They also read to understand themselves better, to reflect on their experiences and feelings, and to gain insight into their minds.

This habit involves selecting books that challenge their beliefs and perspectives, provoke introspection, and prompt personal growth. It is about engaging with the text on a deeper level and using it as a mirror to reflect on their own life and experiences.

In other words, by confronting our fears, challenging our limiting beliefs, and cultivating self-compassion, we can use reading as a powerful tool for personal development.

Reading is not just about understanding the world around us; it’s also about understanding the world within us.

Those who use reading in this way demonstrate a level of intelligence that goes beyond academic knowledge or intellectual prowess – it shows emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a commitment to personal growth.

Reading: A pathway to intelligence

The act of reading is more than just a pastime or a means to gather information. It’s a gateway to understanding diverse perspectives, cultivating empathy, and fostering personal growth. It’s a tool that enables us to connect with others, challenge our beliefs, and broaden our worldview.

Moreover, it’s not just about the quantity of reading, but the quality of engagement with the text. The depth with which we dive into a book, the time we take to reflect on its themes, and the curiosity we bring to its pages are perhaps more indicative of our intelligence than the number of books we’ve read.

In essence, these reading habits underscore the idea that intelligence is not merely about knowledge acquisition. It’s about using that knowledge as a springboard for deeper understanding, empathy, and personal growth.

As I often discuss on my YouTube channel, true growth and understanding come from engaging deeply with the world around us and within us. If you’re curious to dive deeper into these ideas and join a community dedicated to exploring life with more purpose and freedom, I invite you to subscribe here.

Reflect on this: How do your reading habits shape your understanding of yourself and the world around you? And how might they be contributing to your own intellectual growth?

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Justin Brown

Justin Brown is an entrepreneur and thought leader in personal development and digital media, with a foundation in education from The London School of Economics and The Australian National University. As the co-founder of Ideapod, The Vessel, and a director at Brown Brothers Media, Justin has spearheaded platforms that significantly contribute to personal and collective growth. His deep insights are shared on his YouTube channel, JustinBrownVids, offering a rich blend of guidance on living a meaningful and purposeful life.

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