I’m often the first to shout from the rooftops that there are no shortcuts in life or work. And this is true for 99.9% of things. But I was chilling in a hammock recently, looking up at the clouds, reflecting on the 39 years I’ve spent on this planet, and a thought struck me.

Intelligence can mean different things to different people. However, it is generally considered to have the ability to perceive information, have the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, creativity, and possess the ability to solve problems. Here, we focus on traits that signal someone’s general ability to retrieve and interpret information more efficiently than average people.

Here are nine daily habits of people with high IQs:

1. They learn from someone who has done something they want to do

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You can avoid the mistakes they made and take your time. Find a mentor in person or through their books and courses.

research 2022 consistently show that learning from a mentor offers a wide range of benefits, including accelerated career development, increased confidence, improved skills, better decision-making, expanded networks and a greater sense of belonging, particularly for people in at the start of your career or transitioning to new roles. Essentially, a mentor can guide individuals through challenges, provide valuable information, and help them navigate complex situations, leading to tremendous career success.

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2. Eliminate brain fog food

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You are slowed down a lot by foods that acquire insulin such as bread, refined sugar and pasta. Nutrient-rich food that leads to a more stable mood, such as steak and eggs, is a performance trick.

Research from the Journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life shows a positive correlation between “clean eating” and increased confidence, suggesting that healthy food choices can improve self-esteem by promoting better physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown this link, especially in children, where healthy eating is associated with fewer emotional problems and higher self-esteem.

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3. Outsource as much as I can

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Anything someone else can do that you don’t have to do — outsource. Find a list of things you can pay others to do, often for a small fee. Use sites like Fiverr and Upwork to find talent that supports you.

Outsourcing can improve productivity enabling companies to focus on core competencies by delegating non-essential tasks to specialist external suppliers, resulting in better time management, reduced costs, access to specialist talent and the ability to scale operations more efficiently, all contributing to increased production and efficiency within core business functions, according to a study published by the Oxford Review of Economic Policy.

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4. They simplify everything

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For many of us it makes our lives harder because there is unnecessary complexity in the things we own, our systems and communications. Many of us struggle because others misunderstand us. Making things easier for others also makes our lives easier.

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5. They imitate success

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Mimicking other people is underrated because we associate it with plagiarism. But as long as you put your own spin on something, copying something that worked for someone else can ensure a similar level of success for you.

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6. They exercise every morning

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Most people see exercise as a tedious chore. I see it as the touch of a energy resource that nourishes me throughout the day.

A 2023 study by the Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Center for Brain Health have shown that regular exercise can significantly benefit brain health by improving cognitive function, memory, reducing the risk of cognitive decline and potentially delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, with evidence indicating that even moderate physical activity can have positive effects on the brain in different. age groups.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise significantly increased the size of the hippocampus, an area of ​​the brain essential for memory consolidation.

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7. They pay to play

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Grant Cardone introduced me to the power of investing money in growing your business. Pay to join communities and minds and get access to bigger players. Put everything you can afford to grow your network.

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8. They do more with less

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Wise people continually ask: “How can I do more with less today?” You have to be relentless if you want to see gains. That means saying no to more things so you see results that multi-taskers will never experience.

Psychological Research by the American Psychological Association shows that focusing on one thing at a time, also known as “single-tasking”, is significantly more productive than trying to multitask, because the human brain is not designed to efficiently manage multiple tasks at once , leading to decreased efficiency, increased errors, and mental fatigue when switching between tasks.

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9. They are intolerant of worry

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So many of us waste hours of our lives days spent worrying. Just say no. It just makes us feel worse, which is the last state you want to be in to be a performer.

Endless worrying, often associated with anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, is a pattern of excessive rumination on negative possibilities that can have a significant impact on daily life, causing distress, impairing problem-solving skills and leading to physical symptoms due to chronic stress hormone release. .

A 2020 study showed that while some worry can be adaptive, excessive worry is often ineffective in managing potential threats and can be counterproductive, with individuals high in trait worry tending to focus on negative scenarios even when solutions are available.

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Alex Mathers is a writer and coach who helps you build a personal brand that monetizes your knowledge and skills while maintaining mental toughness.