Why smart people don’t prosper

For a long time, I believed that if smart people worked hard and grew up in a good environment, they would end up becoming very successful in life. But as I grew older, I realized that isn’t necessarily true. Some intelligent people I know with strong work ethics have accomplished notable achievements, while many others are doing fine. Sadly, there are some that are crawling along, unsure about what to do. I then realized there are certain factors essential to prosper and excel in life.

Though being smart is linked to having a fulfilling career, success is more than being smart or working hard. Here are some reasons why some intelligent and hardworking people have challenges to succeed and excel in life.

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1. You don’t reach out to new people.

It is easy to stick to old friends and acquaintances, but you need new helpers to win. The problem with old friends is that they circulate the same ideas over and over again, stopping you from learning new perspectives outside your bubble. The solution is for you to start meeting new people, such as introducing yourself to one new person per week. You either sleep with your dream, or you pursue it. You will never influence the world by trying to be like the world.

2. You are stagnant because you are unwilling to change.

Living in the same environment for a long time makes it hard for you to adapt to something new. Change presents new opportunities and innovation. Be open to new concepts and curious about the world around you.

3. Unwilling to take risks.

Smart people are frequently insular, often choose the safe route. They usually want a career because it is considered acceptable by their peers. Consider what your life will be decades from now, before rejecting branching into unfamiliar territory.

4. Believe you deserve success based on your credentials.

Lives of great people have shown success isn’t in the custody of intelligence. The marketplace has its own rules. Abandon your entitlement mentality. Success isn’t measured by how intelligent you are or where you went to school. Never expect things to pan out automatically because of your credentials. Bill Gates, Henry Ford of the Ford motors, Thomas Edison of light bulb fame; Steve Jobs, none of them hold a university degree. In the real world, you get results based on hard work, strategic thinking, and good luck. You increase your success by working and thinking smart.

5. Guided by momentary excitements.

One thing I hear from high achievers is that they hate wasting time. Thus, focusing on one goal yields better results in the long run than chasing many targets simultaneously.

6. You cannot commit to a decision.

Being a smart workaholic opens many doors, but you must acquire the knack of making good choices.

By Bayo Ogunmupe

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