How to become smarter: the best 10 tips to

boost your brain

By Maggie Wooll, MBA
July 6, 2022 - 14 MIN READ
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Is there anything I can do to be smarter?

10 habits that can help you become smarter

The different types of intelligence

Your next steps

Have you ever felt like certain coworkers, friends, or family members
learn new skills easily? Somehow, these individuals seem brighter than
the rest of their peers.
You might be wishing you had these smarts. Whether you want to
advance your career, gain a new talent, or simply perform better in all of
life, added intelligence could be the key.

The good news? Everyone has the ability to learn how to become
smarter. You’ve even likely experienced this process yourself throughout
your education. Almost everyone would say they feel smarter after 4
years of college than before.

In today’s fast-paced world, however, what are some simpler ways to

become smarter? With a few new habits, you can tap into your brain's
power and become smarter fast.

Is there anything I can do to be smarter?

Can you become smarter throughout your life? Well, you can certainly
learn more. You can gain experience and seek out a greater variety of
experiences. And you can adopt new practices that may help you learn
faster.

Your intelligence isn’t a set trait that you’re born with. Yes, certain
individuals might naturally be able to pick up new skills, languages, or
talents more quickly. However, you can train yourself to do the same.

That said, boosting our intelligence doesn’t come without effort. Our
lifestyles need to be able to support brain growth.

The food you eat, your growth versus fixed mindset , and how well you
take care of yourself all play a role in your ability to become smarter. The
small daily habits that you choose to carry out can make a big difference
in your efforts to become smarter.

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10 habits that can help you become smarter

Plenty of hacks and daily habits can help people on the road to
becoming smarter. However, keep in mind, what may work for some may
not work for others. Try out all of the habits below to see a real impact
on your intelligence.

Here are 10 habits to incorporate into your daily life to become smarter:

1. Read more

Reading can introduce you to new topics that stimulate your neural
pathways and improve brain health. Whether you grab a book from your
shelf, download a reading app on your phone, or stop by the library, the
important thing is to take the time to actually read.

For an added bonus, consider trying non-fiction when selecting your next
book. You’ll both learn new information and grow your vocabulary.

2. Surround yourself with like-minded people

Spending time with smart people isn’t going to magically make you
smarter. However, it will help you make connections with people who will
inspire and motivate you to continue learning. Exposing yourself to new
opinions and perspectives will give you more to think about. This is one
ideal method for how to become smarter faster.

3. Start exercising daily

Numerous studies show a strong connection between physical exercise

and brain function . When you are physically active , activity increases in
your hippocampus — the part of your brain that promotes neuron growth.
This neuron growth can then improve brain function, which is a great
way to become smarter.

Whether you sign up for your city’s marathon or start a daily 30-minute
walk, any form of exercise will certainly help make you smarter.

4. Learn a new language

Speaking more than one language exercises your cognitive abilities and
improves how well you can multitask. This is because switching between
languages takes a lot of concentration, focus, and self-control .

In fact, some studies show that bilingual people are smarter than the rest
of us. So if you want to know how to become smarter, signing up for your
nearest language class is a great way to get started.
5. Look for learning opportunities

You don't have to stop learning if you aren't a student anymore. Today,
knowledge is endlessly available online — often for free or at a very low
cost. Try listening to a podcast about a topic you’re interested in, or tune
into TED talk videos.

You can also join a website like Skillshare or Udemy. Imagine how much
smarter you’ll feel after dedicating 30 minutes on the weekend to
learning something new.

6. Lower your screen time

If you want to become smarter every day, begin by keeping track of your
screen time. Studies have shown that excessive smartphone use is
detrimental to cognitive performance . Try using an app to set screen
time limits and send mindfulness reminders throughout the day.

You can also delete unnecessary apps from your phone or create a daily
habit of not using your phone until after breakfast, for example.

7. Practice meditation
Meditation is a powerful tool for improving brain function and
increasing emotional intelligence . If you feel busy or overwhelmed, a
meditation practice can allow you to pay attention to your body and how
you’re feeling. This, in addition to using meditation to manage stress and
anxiety, can free up space in your brain to focus and learn new skills.

8. Explore video games

In moderation, video games can help people develop decision-making

skills and improve their focus . There are many educational games that
teach people skills, such as math and linguistics. In addition, fantasy and
adventure video games can strengthen inferencing skills that carry over
into real life.

9. Try caffeinated drinks

We all know that coffee gives us more energy. In addition, caffeine

stimulates your ability to concentrate, puts you in a better mood, and can
increase motivation . Being more alert will help you understand new
information better. If you want to become smarter faster, a cup of
caffeinated tea or coffee could be the push you need to get your brain
working at top speeds.

10. Let your imagination run free

Allowing yourself to daydream and think creatively can help you process
information and connect ideas. Sometimes we force ourselves to think
too critically or seriously. When instead, we relax our minds and let
ourselves think creatively , it can stimulate our brains to remember things
clearly.

11. Reflect on what you've learned

When people talk about wanting to be smarter, it isn't just about knowing
a body of knowledge or technical specs. Often what they really mean is
being able to do more with what they know. Maybe it's to be able to
make better choices.

When we think of someone in life whose "smartness" we aspire to, it

might be a person who is able to connect the dots quickly, or in
surprising ways. It's someone who can see the needed chain of steps to
get a project done or grasps the implications of a new technology or the
way a public policy might affect their opportunities.

This type of intelligence gets a boost from reflection. Reflecting every

day on what we've experienced and what we've taken away as a result,
is the core of learning. It helps you identify patterns and to start seeing
the world through a lens of patterns and change.

Starting new habits can be tough. Sometimes, you need some support to
add new things to your daily routine and develop the habits of reflection
and learning. If that sounds like you, a BetterUp coach could be the
perfect fit to help you stay on track. Besides keeping you focused, a
coach can ensure that the practices you’re working on are making an
impact — for today and for the long term.

The different types of intelligence

There are many kinds of intelligence that you can develop as you
become wiser and smarter. For example, you might already feel very
intelligent when it comes to Excel spreadsheets. That doesn’t mean that
you’re limited to only your strengths , however. You can also work on
developing your smarts in other areas, like linguistics or music.

Here are different types of intelligence and the strengths of people who
have them:

Linguistic intelligence

 Writing and using words to express themselves

  Reading, speaking, and grammar
 Board games like Scrabble that depend on a knowledge of words

Numerical intelligence

 Talent for mathematics and puzzles

 Using logic and reason to solve problems
 Patterning and probability

Kinesthetic intelligence

 Physical activity that demands coordination

 Great control over their bodies
 Uses tools like building blocks and chalkboards to act out their
learnings

Music intelligence

 Carrying out tunes of music and matches certain pitches

 Excellent sense of rhythm
 Creative with sound to create beats

Interpersonal intelligence

 Great communicators
  Thrives in collaborative environments
 Comfortable with negotiating and can read social cues

Intrapersonal intelligence

 Prefers to work alone

 Processes emotions well
 Learns through self-reflection

Spatial intelligence

 Has an eye for design

 Excels at drawing and painting
 Learns best with visual clues

Naturalistic intelligence

 Understands the natural environment very well

 Thrives in subjects like biology and geography.
 Always curious about nature

With the help of a BetterUp coach , you can learn what type of
intelligence you have and how you can refine your skills further. We’ll be
there every step of the way to guide you in understanding your
strengths.
Your next steps
Keep in mind that being intelligent is not about knowing more than
everyone around you. Intelligence means exploring new things and
solving problems as they arise. It’s also about helping your brain perform
at its best with habits like the ones here.

As you work towards becoming smarter, remember your strengths.

You’re already intelligent — you might just want to expand your smarts
into other areas. Whether you want to move your career forward by
learning a new skill or just finally be able to play the guitar, you’re
capable.

Stay curious, and be proud of any progress that you make. It’ll show up
in professional and personal aspects of your life when you make a
continuous effort to feed your brain.