Idiots pay attention

Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.

- Marcus Tullius Cicero -

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We've all been an idiot at some point in our lives, probably many times, and if you think you have not then you're an idiot. Being human means we think, say and do foolish things and from the most intelligent to the dumbest motherfucker out there being an idiot comes with being human, but being an idiot doesn't necessarily make a person unintelligent, it's just something that happens.

A month or so ago, I attended a thing, sort of an industry conference where I was representing the organisation I operate for and met a person who was far more intelligent than myself and she was far nicer looking too. We got to talking in the evening about some of the content we'd listened to in the day and we came up with some ideas on how one may increase our intelligence...this related to me more than her because she is legit-intelligent already.

So, here's some of the things we discussed; please remember I'm a bit of a blunt instrument, sort of like Thor's hammer, and not a scientist or intellectual so the things below are not something I can back with scientific fact, merely stuff I heard here and there, and have done in the past to stay sharp (or sharper than blunt, I should say.)

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Idiots, pay attention please

➡️ Get uncomfortable: I've done this by using my left (non-dominant hand) for tasks like writing and doing buttons up one-handed, driving to places I don't know and finding my way around without maps, wearing my watch on the right wrist instead of the left and so on. Doing this stimulates the brain, surprises it, and forces it to adapt to the changes.

➡️ Get curious: I do this a lot too, because delving deeply into what I don't already know causes me to think differently, more objectively and along different paths than before, it's sort of like working out at the gym but the muscle being exercised is the brain.

➡️ Feed your brain: This is an easy one which is done by doing something differently every day; it could be listening to music you've not listened to before and different from your favourite genres, reading a book or article or listening to a podcast about a topic you're not accustomed to, doing puzzles and so on; It's designed to challenge your brain to work around the new content.

➡️ Teach others: I love this one because it allows me to gain personal benefit and help others also. Basically, it's about taking a newly acquired skill or knowledge and teaching it to someone else; if it's taught effectively it means your brain understands it well.

➡️ Be silent: I try really hard to do this every day, sometimes twice. I find a super-quiet place and set my phone's timer for ten minutes and remain in total silence for that time, and sit completely still. It doesn't mean I'm not thinking, much the opposite, it means I'm able to connect with my thoughts and ideas and that can bring new understandings, development and growth.

➡️ Go backwards: This was one my new friend loves and does regularly. She takes a problem or situation she (or someone else) has already solved and reverse-engineers it all the way to the very start. It's about seeing logic backwards. I've tried it and it's very challenging...but that's maybe because I'm a dumb fucker.

➡️ People diversity: Here's another of my favourites. I mentioned in a previous post about spending time with people older than oneself and this one is similar. It revolves around having discourse with diverse people and those who have done different things and have different opinions and perspectives. It causes a rethink, maybe even makes you question your pre-existing ideas and opinions and that means one has a chance to widen one's views. Again, another challenge that must would find difficult.

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I spent until very late in the evening talking with this person and despite it being extremely fun and enjoyable I feel I walked away a better version of myself, just as she has confirmed to me the same in return. It was one of the best conversations I've had and if I could wish all of you (all two of you reading this) something right now it would be a conversation like I had with that girl. We've stayed in contact (live in different parts of the country) and have chatted weekly on the phone holding the other accountable for continuing these processes and others like them.

Now it's your turn...if you're an idiot...and you are because you're human.

Do you think you could gain some value out of concepts like this and if you have already what value and benefit? Feel free to comment if you'd like, because I'm an idiot applying some of the concepts above I'm also keen to hear what you think, even if you're not an idiot...which you most certainly are if you think you're not.