12 Simple Habits Of Intelligent People

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Become a smarter, focused, and more intelligent person over time by developing one or more of these habits of intelligent people.

Habits of Intelligent People - Infographic

Habits of Intelligent People

Many intelligent people are blessed with a high level of intelligence from birth. But that doesn’t mean they don’t work on their intelligence.

We can all become more intelligent, sharper people who understand the world better if we prioritize intelligence and work on it every day.

These habits are easy to start developing today. They require patience, dedication, and time but will slowly help you become a smarter, more intelligent person.

Related: 30-Day Habit Tracker Printables

1. They read books

Intelligent people read as much as possible and learn from people who themselves are experts.

If they don’t have space for books, they’ll use a Kindle to store their library.

2. They ask questions

Those who are intelligent are always looking for knowledge. In conversation, they will often put the spotlight on others and ask as many questions as possible.

3. They never assume and always try to get both points of view

In a world of sensationalized headlines, it’s always difficult to know what is true and what is false. Those with high intelligence always try to get both sides of view through reading and research and only then form an opinion on a topic.

4. They do brain-training puzzles every day

Even if it’s for a few minutes every day, intelligent people always try to train their brains. They do this through many different methods, including puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, or math challenges, once a day.

5. They try to fix things on their own

If our bicycle is broken or our clothes ripped, it’s often easier to buy new ones or take them to be repaired.

Intelligent people enjoy fixing things and solving problems. They will look things up and try to solve the problem themselves. If it’s too specialized, only then will they seek professional help.

6. They watch and learn from experts

If an intelligent person wants to play guitar or improve their public speaking, they don’t just read about it. They find experts and learn from the best.

7. They have a thirst for knowledge

Whether it be in free time or work hours, those who are highly intelligent always want to learn new skills. They’ll take courses, read, watch documentaries, and go to conferences. They make learning a passion and a hobby.

8. They work on their emotional intelligence

When it comes to intelligence, it’s not just about facts in your head. Intelligent people also develop their people skills.

They practice empathy, patience, and study body language, speech, and how best to interact with people. This makes them easier to talk to, and far more likable people.

9. They try different ways of learning and see what works best for them

We all learn in different ways. Some of us learn languages best from a tutor, and others learn a language by watching a TV show with subtitles on.

Intelligent people don’t get discouraged if it feels like they don’t understand something or are not improving. They try different ways of learning, and then they use the best way for them to learn a new topic or skill.

10. They never assume they are smart

Some of the most intelligent people in the world are very humble. They never brag about being smart and understand they can always learn more. In groups, they ask questions, are curious, and never dominate the conversation.

11. They prioritize a good night’s sleep

While the amount of sleep we need is different for all of us, we still need sleep to be sharp, focused, and happy.

Many intelligent people try to relax in the evening. They know that, if they sleep well, their brain will be bettered prepared to learn and absorb knowledge the next day.

12. They practice their craft over and over

When we don’t see progress, it’s very easy to give up. Highly intelligent people practice skills and learning over and over, no matter how slow their progress.

Whether it be learning a new language, reading a textbook, or learning a musical instrument, they see learning as a marathon, not a sprint. They do it every day and enjoy the process.


Regardless of our natural intelligence, we can all increase our natural intelligence with a few simple changes in our lives.

Developing these habits won’t make you a genius overnight. But if you stick to them, you’ll slowly become a smarter, more worldly person over weeks, months, and years.

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12 Habits of Highly Intelligent People