https://www.alainguillot.com/intelligence/

As an immigrant I have always been plagued with many insecurities, one of them being that I always considered myself less intelligent than other people.

In school I always did poorly, I was always jealous of those who did a lot better than me with a lot less effort.

Almost all my friends are more intelligent than I am.

It’s not that I’m dumb. I’m well-read, and I believe I can hold an intelligent conversation. However, I enjoy spending time with people who are smarter than me.

I can’t help but think: “Boy, if I were that smart, I’d be so much further ahead in life.” But I can’t complain. Life has been very generous to me, and through trial and error, I’ve found my way to happiness.

Here are the traits that have helped me succeed despite not being the smartest person in the room:

Optimism drives me to take risks because I always anticipate positive outcomes.

Of course, my optimism hasn’t always worked in my favor. When I tried day trading in the stock market, I lost thousands of dollars—not to mention the time and energy wasted.

But other times, my optimism has paid off. My dance school, my Photography business, my blogging, and my YouTube channel are the result of my optimism.

Lesson: If you approach every situation with a positive outlook, you may stumble at times, but you’ll also create opportunities for extraordinary success. The only guaranteed failure is not trying at all.

Pessimism vs. Optimism
Pessimists often seem smarter because they excel at identifying risks and potential problems. However, their cautious mindset often prevents them from seizing opportunities.

Optimists, on the other hand, may get knocked down occasionally, but they’re more likely to achieve extraordinary successes by taking bold risks and learning from their failures.

Success isn’t about intelligence—it’s about consistency. If you want to achieve something, you must cultivate habits that support your goals.

For example:

• I write every day to improve my skills.
• I practice speaking multiple times a week to become a better communicator.
• I exercise daily to maintain my physical health.

To make room for these habits, I eliminated distractions. I got rid of my TV two decades ago, canceled my Netflix subscription, and limited time-wasting activities online. These small changes have made me more productive and focused on what truly matters.

Warren Buffett once said:

Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.

Developing good financial habits is crucial, too. For instance, saving at least 10% of your income is a simple yet effective way to build wealth.

We’re all influenced by the world around us, especially advertisers and the culture of “lifestyle” consumption.

While many people follow the crowd, I interpreted advertisers’ messages differently. Instead of focusing on buying brands to “be unique,” I focused on having the resources to afford those brands if I wanted to. This perspective fueled my ambition.

Find your motivation:

• Some people are driven by the desire to leave a legacy for their family.
• Others are motivated by travel, status, or personal fulfillment.

Whatever your ambition is, use it as a driving force to set and achieve higher goals. People are motivated by different things. My friend Sam, a grandfather of 10, is driven by the desire to leave something for his grandchildren. I am motivated by financial independence.

Use your ambition as the motivating force to achieve your dreams.

Do you consider yourself intelligent? Has it helped you reach your goals? Or, if you don’t think of yourself as particularly intelligent, what strategies have you used to compensate?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—please share them in the comments section!

1. Optimism: My Superpower2. Habits: Building Blocks of Success3. Ambition: A Powerful MotivatorAre you intelligent?

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