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I've said it before that I agree with Ayn Rand 100 percent. Objectivism is something I'm making an effort to commit to, but I can't escape this idea that I'm useless, and that I don't stand a chance when compared to the rest of the world. I also have an "it's too late" mentality. I know these are irrational thoughts, but in regards to education and my future, I feel as if I can't compete because I'm not smart enough. I envy those who have a high IQ. No, I would never wish anything bad on someone who is smart...I embrace them because intelligence is something I value heavily. I just feel bad because I'm not. I have no self-confidence, and I find it hard to believe, for some reason, the fact that being the best I can be will make me happy. What if the best I can be is someone who makes minimum wage, living check to check, whom nobody respects given the lack of importance to his job? Compared to the genius who cures diseases? I don't believe a man with an IQ of 90 can cure cancer. I'm not saying it's impossible--I'm saying it's very unlikely, and most likely won't ever happen.
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I've skirted with depression before. My advice is to stop thinking about the future. More specifically, stop thinking about what you cannot do. Even MORE specifically, stop making assumptions about what you cannot do. Your assumptions are your beliefs. Your beliefs drive your emotion. That is why you are depressed. Even if you were to cure cancer tomorrow, you can still be depressed if you keep making assumptions about what you cannot achieve in the future. The alternative is to focus on the now. Use your rational mind to identify what is metaphysically possible and work on that. In terms of growth, try to learn and make small improvements everyday in whatever occupation that you are currently working in. Forget the end game. Try to put your mind into a "flow" state. That's a good indicator that you're growing in some fashion. Lastly, always always always remember this motto: You are responsible for your own happiness. If you are depress, it is because you have allowed your thinking to get away from you. Reign it in. You are the boss. |
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Let me describe a Venn diagram for you which has helped me focus my life, find happiness and fulfillment. One circle is your passions or dreams. What do you love to do or think about? Another circle is the things you are very good at--your strengths and skills. Have you ever made a list of those things? Self-awareness isn't easy. So you may want to ask family and people you trust for what they think are some of your strengths. Whatever is in the intersection of these two circles, or can move you closer to that, are things you should consider pursuing. Then there is a third circle to think about: what can other people do? Or, what are they doing already? The ultimate goal (in my experience) is to discover what lies in the intersection of the first two circles, but outside the 3rd circle. This is the rare and unique contribution that you can make because no one else is doing it. It's also what you love, and what you are or can become great at. You don't need a high IQ for this. But you do need lots of self-reflection, self-assessment, persistence, determination, and creativity (and probably some good luck) to eliminate all the things that don't help you live in that intersection, and focus on the things that do. I'm very serious when I say that you need to draw this on paper and write down everything you can think of that exists within each of these circles. The answers can change over time. But you can find the answers for you. And the best time to get started is now. Today. |
"I've said it before that I agree with Ayn Rand 100 percent." Really? And by the way, Objectivism is no church that you need to commit to. Take truth as the authority and not authority as the truth- not even Objectivism.
My personal advice is don't limit yourself by adopting the so-called principles of efficient thinking or even the Objectivist way of thinking if you really wanna improve your IQ or intelligence levels. Or rather, know when to use those thinking principles and when not to. For they come in the way of creative thinking.
The right brain (imagination side) is equally important & that's where you get ideas for innovation/ inventions from. That's the secret of Einstein, Edison, Steve Jobs (I guess someone in ObjectivistAnswers had asked a related question mentioning Jobs) & the rest..I think the sub-conscious mind & its genius potential is wrongly under-rated by Objectivists. Perhaps, I'm wrong. Where are the real-life Objectivist scientists?
Remember, the only person standing in your way is you. You can also check out Win Wenger's works. http://www.winwenger.com/ If you can take time off & listen to his "Genius Code", you'll know what I mean by power of the sub-conscious mind. You'll know what Socrates meant when he said - all knowledge lies within us (the extent to which each of us taps it varies).
You know, when you put your mind into something, it can be suprising and inspiring moment that will change how you view yourself. To be truthfull, I dont think IQ is a factor, when inventing....Intellgence is one element. And whos to say you cant cure cancer? I also think you question, is not a valid one... You dont feel worthless for the absence of something you never attained, you feel worthless when you limit yourself because other have achieved more then you. Dont limit yourself, hone your pontetial ;)