Do you want to show people around you that you’re intelligent and responsible? The best way to do this is to act in a way that is in keeping with your personality and doesn’t cause any controversy or upset to the people closest to you.
Being smart is also about knowing what to say when to say it, and how to say it. It’s also about knowing when to keep quiet about an issue or particular topic of conversation, so you avoid causing offense.
Let’s take a look at eight things smart people never do or say.
1. Brag about their things.
Bragging is not a good personality trait. Smart people realize that bragging gets them nowhere and is unnecessary. In life, you find that the people who brag about their material possessions have a point to prove and are trying to show how much better they are than other people.
Intelligent people, on the other hand, let their things and actions talk for themselves. If you’re intentional in the way you present yourself to the world, there’s no need to brag about what you have and make people feel bad about themselves.
2. Blame others and not take responsibility.
Intelligent people recognize that blame is pointless. If something bad happens, smart people look for solutions and learning opportunities, not point-scoring. They realize that everyone can make mistakes, and it’s what happens after the mistake that’s more important than the error itself.
Equally, when things go wrong, smart people step up and take responsibility. They’re willing to be held to account for their actions and see responsibility as a vital trait for personal development.
3. Point out the flaws of an individual in a group setting.
Nobody’s perfect, and we all have our flaws. Smart people acknowledge this fact and look for every person’s unique talents and skills. In a group setting, they will acknowledge that everyone can contribute something different and will seek to encourage everyone to work together to achieve a positive outcome.
The last thing they will do is point out the flaws of an individual in front of the rest of the group. They may take that person aside and offer advice upon how to improve a particular aspect of their contribution, but they won’t publicly shame them in front of others.
4. Criticize someone’s looks.
Any intelligent person knows there’s no merit in criticizing someone’s looks. In life, diversity is key, and it would be boring if we all looked the same. Smart people cherish difference and see it as a positive factor that can support the healthy development of relationships.
People who waste their time criticizing how other people look are usually shallow and insecure themselves. As such, smart people realize that criticizing the way someone looks is a waste of time, and they’re much better suited to look for a person’s unique character.
5. Beg someone’s attention.
Smart people don’t beg for anything, at least not someone’s attention. Intelligent people understand the art of conversation and are willing to contribute to discussions as and when it’s appropriate. If someone isn’t interested in listening to what they have to say, they will acknowledge that and speak to someone else.
Begging for someone to listen to or like you is another sign of insecurity, and smart people much rather spend their time communicating with like-minded people who are willing to give them the time of day.
6. Lie about their skills.
Smart people are confident and comfortable with their skills and abilities. They don’t feel the need to lie and claim to have skills that they don’t. If they’re deficient in a certain area, they focus on improving rather than lying about it.
People who lie about their skills are after a quick fix to a problem or situation, which they won’t usually find. Smart people understand the importance of integrity and are true to their word.
7. Give up easily.
Few things worth achieving in life come easily. As such, to achieve something worthwhile, you have to work hard and be in it for the long haul. Smart people know this and are willing to give their all to achieve their goals and objectives.
When things get tough, they will look for new ways of achieving and increasing their skills and abilities. They won’t give up just because they feel uncomfortable.
8. Start an argument.
Intelligent people understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and starting an argument is futile. Although you don’t have to agree with everything someone says, there’s little point in arguing with them for the sake of it.
If you’re smart, you’re willing to leave people to their own opinions about a certain topic and save your energy instead of getting frustrating and starting an argument with them.
As you can see, there are many things that smart people never do or say. This is because they think carefully about their words and actions and ensure that they don’t offend people or cause distress for the sake of it. Being smart is about being confident, considered, and empathetic, and it’s an enviable characteristic to have.
