What sets highly intelligent people apart isn’t just what they pursue but what they avoid.
According to psychology, certain behaviors and pursuits hold little value for individuals with exceptional intelligence.
From trivial arguments to shallow social climbing, these are the nine things in life that highly intelligent people tend to see as beneath them.
Discover why these traits resonate and what this reveals about their mindset:
1) Engaging in gossip
Gossiping can often seem like an innocent pastime.
It’s a common way to bond with others and pass the time but, for highly intelligent people, this activity is seen as beneath them.
Engaging in gossip is not only unproductive, but it also fosters a negative environment.
Instead of focusing on the shortcomings or misfortunes of others, highly intelligent people prefer to invest their time in constructive conversations that promote growth and learning.
These people understand that such discourse does not contribute to their personal development or that of others around them.
Rather than fostering resentment or schadenfreude, these individuals opt for empathy and understanding, choosing to discuss ideas and solutions, not people and their problems.
They recognize the value of their time and choose to spend it on meaningful, enriching conversations instead!
2) Holding onto grudges
Life is too short and precious to be wasted on holding grudges.
Highly intelligent people understand this better than most—they see the act of harboring resentment as a drain on their emotional energy and a hindrance to their personal growth.
When wronged, instead of holding onto the hurt and allowing it to fester, they choose to learn from the experience.
They understand that everyone makes mistakes, including themselves, and that forgiveness isn’t about the other person, but about freeing themselves from the burden of negative emotions.
Moreover, they know that holding onto a grudge often hurts them more than it does the person they’re unwilling to forgive.
In essence, highly intelligent people value their peace of mind over petty squabbles and old wounds.
They know that the path forward is through forgiveness and understanding, not resentment and anger.
3) Being the smartest person in the room
Most people would assume that highly intelligent people would naturally gravitate towards being the smartest in any given group.
However, this is not usually the case.
Highly intelligent individuals often seek out company from those who are more knowledgeable or skilled than themselves in various fields.
They thrive on learning new things and appreciate the value of different perspectives.
Being constantly surrounded by people who know less can limit their growth.
They prefer environments where they are challenged, where their ideas are scrutinized, and where they can gain new insights.
4) Fearing failure
Failure is a part of life.
It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and it can be downright painful.
But highly intelligent people don’t shy away from it. Instead, they embrace it.
They understand that failure is not a reflection of their worth, but an integral part of the journey towards success.
It’s through failures that they learn, grow, and become better.
They don’t see failure as something to be feared or avoided.
Instead, they view it as an opportunity to learn something new about themselves and the world around them.
In fact, they often take on challenging tasks knowing full well that they might fail, because they understand that the lessons learned through failure are invaluable.
While it may seem counterintuitive, highly intelligent people don’t fear failure—they welcome it!
5) Judging others
Highly intelligent people understand that everyone has their own story, their own struggles, and their own journey.
They realize that it’s not their place to judge others based on their decisions or circumstances.
Instead of passing judgments or making assumptions, they focus on understanding and empathizing with people around them.
They recognize that everyone is doing their best with the knowledge and resources they have at the time.
They see the value in diversity of thought, experience, and background.
They understand that everyone they meet can teach them something valuable, regardless of their status or lifestyle.
In essence, highly intelligent people choose empathy over judgement.
They know that the world is richer and more enlightening when we approach others with kindness and understanding, rather than prejudice and bias.
6) Procrastinating
Procrastination is not a habit that highly intelligent people entertain.
They understand that time is precious and that procrastination only serves to delay progress and growth.
Instead of putting things off until the last minute, they prioritize and tackle tasks head-on.
This doesn’t mean they’re always busy or don’t take time to relax.
On the contrary, they value downtime and understand its importance.
But when there’s a task to be done, they dive in without hesitation.
By avoiding procrastination, highly intelligent people ensure they are using their time effectively, moving closer to their goals, and freeing up time for the things they truly enjoy.
7) Taking life too seriously
Life can be hard and full of challenges, but highly intelligent people know the importance of having a sense of humor.
They understand that not everything in life needs to be taken so seriously.
Whether it’s laughing at their own mistakes or finding humor in difficult situations, they use laughter as a tool to lighten the mood and cope with stress.
They don’t let minor setbacks ruin their day and they certainly don’t lose sleep over things that are out of their control.
This doesn’t mean they don’t take their responsibilities seriously, but they know that introducing a little light-heartedness into their lives can make the journey more enjoyable.
After all, life’s too short not to have a good laugh!
8) Living in their comfort zone
Highly intelligent people know that greatness never comes from comfort zones.
It’s easy to fall into the routine of doing things the same way, but they understand that this is not the path to growth and self-improvement.
They constantly challenge themselves, pushing boundaries and taking risks.
They are not afraid to step out into the unknown, even if it means facing potential failure or rejection.
This is not because they enjoy discomfort, but because they understand that it’s through facing challenges head-on that they grow stronger and smarter.
They know that their potential is limitless, but only if they have the courage to push beyond what’s comfortable and familiar.
9) Neglecting self-care
In a world that often prioritizes hustle and productivity, it’s easy to forget the importance of self-care.
But highly intelligent people understand that taking care of oneself is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
They know that their mental, physical, and emotional health are the foundations for their success and happiness.
They prioritize rest, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness.
They take time to recharge and nurture their well-being.
They understand that self-care is not selfish or indulgent but an essential part of maintaining balance and health.
After all, no one can pour from an empty cup!
Final thoughts
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that these traits aren’t exclusively found in highly intelligent people.
They’re characteristics that we can all strive to cultivate in our daily lives to promote personal growth and positivity.
As psychologist Dr. Carl Jung once said, “The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.”
This is especially true when it comes to personal development and growth.
Adopting these habits won’t make you highly intelligent overnight, but they can help you grow—if you’re already intelligent, it doesn’t mean you’ll display all these traits.
Intelligence goes beyond IQ—it includes emotional maturity, empathy, self-awareness, and lifelong learning.
Embrace what resonates with you and keep pursuing self-improvement, as the journey of growth never truly ends!
