There’s a profound difference between being highly intelligent and being successful.
Intelligence isn’t everything. Without the discipline to put it to good use, it can end up being wasted potential.
Often, you’ll find that those with high intellect but low discipline display certain behaviors that hold them back from achieving their goals.
In this piece, we’re going to take a closer look at these telltale signs. We’ll delve into nine behaviors commonly seen in highly intelligent people who, despite their smarts, struggle to find success due to lacking discipline.
This way, you can identify these traits in yourself or others and take proactive steps toward success.
1) Procrastination
Procrastination is a common trait among highly intelligent individuals who lack discipline.
Intellectually gifted people often have a wealth of ideas and possibilities swirling around in their heads. While this can be a strength, it can also become overwhelming, leading to inaction.
Instead of harnessing their intelligence and applying it to tasks at hand, they may find themselves constantly distracted by new thoughts and interests. This lack of focus can result in a tendency to put things off until the last minute.
Unfortunately, procrastination can be a significant barrier to success. Without the discipline to start and finish tasks in a timely manner, even the most brilliant ideas can fall by the wayside.
Recognizing this tendency for procrastination is a crucial first step in overcoming it. With conscious effort and perhaps some helpful strategies, it’s possible to turn this behavior around and use one’s intelligence more effectively.
2) Inconsistent routines
I can personally attest to this one. Highly intelligent people often lack consistent routines, which can hinder their success.
Take me, for example. I’ve always been considered a ‘smart’ individual – quick to understand concepts, able to solve complex problems. However, I’ve often found myself struggling when it comes to maintaining a regular routine.
My mind is always buzzing with ideas and thoughts, so much so that I tend to jump from one thing to another without sticking to a consistent schedule. While this might seem like a sign of creativity and flexibility, it often leads to unfinished tasks and missed deadlines.
The lack of a routine can create chaos and prevent progress. Discipline, in the form of a well-structured routine, helps manage time more effectively and ensures that tasks are completed.
I’ve learned the hard way that, no matter how intelligent you are, without discipline and a structured routine, achieving your goals becomes significantly more challenging.
3) Fear of failure
Highly intelligent individuals can sometimes be paralyzed by the fear of failure. This may seem counterintuitive, considering their cognitive capabilities, but it’s a behavior that’s been observed by psychologists and researchers.
The fear of failure often stems from perfectionism – a trait common among the intellectually gifted. They set high standards for themselves, and when they perceive a risk of not meeting those standards, they might avoid the task altogether.
Overcoming this fear and embracing the possibility of failure as a part of the learning process is key to using one’s intelligence effectively and achieving success.
4) Lack of patience
Highly intelligent people are often quick thinkers. They can process information rapidly and come up with solutions in a fraction of the time it takes others. However, this swift cognitive processing can lead to a lack of patience.
When things don’t move at their pace, they can become frustrated or disinterested. This can be a problem when working in a team where others may not keep up with their speed, or when they’re faced with tasks that require a steady, sustained effort over time.
Without the discipline to patiently see things through, their intelligence may not translate into success. Cultivating patience and understanding the value of slow and steady progress is crucial for these individuals to truly excel.
5) Overthinking
Another common behavior among highly intelligent people is the tendency to overthink. While their intelligence allows them to see different angles and possibilities others may not consider, it can also lead to analysis paralysis.
They might spend excessive time pondering over decisions, even relatively simple ones. The multitude of options and outcomes they can envision can often leave them stuck in a cycle of incessant thought, unable to move forward.
Although deep thinking is a valuable trait, the lack of discipline to make decisions and act on them can prevent highly intelligent individuals from achieving their potential. Learning to manage this tendency to overthink is crucial in transforming their intelligence into tangible success.
6) Emotional sensitivity
High intelligence often comes with heightened emotional sensitivity. Individuals with high IQs can be acutely aware of their own emotions and the feelings of others. This can sometimes overwhelm them, leading to stress, anxiety, and even avoidance of certain situations.
This emotional intensity, while it can foster deep empathy and understanding, can also act as an obstacle to their success. They might struggle with self-doubt or become easily affected by criticism.
It’s a poignant journey, learning to navigate these powerful emotions. But with discipline and emotional management strategies, these individuals can channel their emotional sensitivity into empathy and understanding, turning it into a strength rather than a hindrance on their path to success.
7) Difficulty with mundane tasks
Ironically, while being able to grasp complex ideas and concepts with ease, handling simple, mundane tasks can sometimes be a struggle. I’ve found myself in this paradoxical situation more times than I can count.
Tasks like doing the laundry or filling out paperwork can feel unstimulating and tedious. The lack of mental engagement these tasks offer does not align well with a mind that’s always seeking intellectual stimulation.
However, these seemingly mundane tasks are often essential components of life and work. Disregarding them or constantly seeking ways to avoid them can lead to chaos and inefficiency.
Mastering the discipline to attend to these everyday tasks is an important part of translating intelligence into success. It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn, and continue to learn, day by day.
8) Desire for novelty
Highly intelligent people often have a strong desire for novelty. They crave new experiences, ideas, and challenges to keep their agile minds stimulated and engaged.
While this thirst for novelty can lead to creative ideas and innovative solutions, it can also lead to a lack of follow-through. They may jump from one project or interest to another without seeing the previous one through to completion.
A lack of discipline in managing this desire for novelty can lead to a trail of unfinished tasks and unmet goals. Learning to balance the pursuit of new experiences with the commitment to see things through is an important step toward success.
9) Neglecting self-care
The most significant behavior to look out for, however, is the neglect of self-care. Highly intelligent individuals, with their minds constantly on overdrive, often forget to take time for their own wellbeing.
They may disregard the importance of regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, or simply taking time out to relax and recharge. This neglect of self-care can lead to burnout and adversely affect both their mental and physical health.
Recognizing the importance of self-care and incorporating it into daily routines is not just crucial for success, it’s essential for overall wellbeing. No amount of intelligence can compensate for the adverse effects of poor self-care. It’s a non-negotiable aspect of a balanced life and sustainable success.
Final thoughts: It’s about balance
At the heart of these behaviors is an undeniable truth – intelligence alone is not a guarantee for success. It’s a powerful tool, no doubt, but it requires the hand of discipline to wield it effectively.
Consider the concept of “grit” proposed by psychologist Angela Duckworth. Grit, she suggests, which encompasses passion and sustained persistence, can be a better predictor of success than intellectual capability alone.
Highly intelligent individuals often have the passion part down pat – they’re driven by their interests and ideas. But it’s the persistence, the discipline to stay the course even when things are tough or unstimulating, that they may struggle with.
Achieving balance between intelligence and discipline can be a challenging journey. It involves recognizing these behaviors that could potentially hinder success and consciously working to overcome them.
It’s about understanding that even though our intelligence can open doors, it’s our discipline that will allow us to walk through them and keep going.
As we reflect on these behaviors, let’s remember that change is possible. With awareness, effort, and of course, a good dose of discipline, highly intelligent individuals can transform potential into achievement. After all, success is not just about being smart – it’s about being smart with your actions too.
