Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 55 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: There are Seven Kinds of Intelligence – What’s Yours?
— From Aha!: 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan
In the past post, we learned from Jordan Ayan about the most common misconceptions about creativity. In his book Aha!, the author points out that the misconceptions are simply the result of limiting beliefs, and urges us to analyze our thoughts to see whether there are any of these beliefs that we are clinging to, thus, hindering our creativity.
Ayan also says, “Related to the myth of the creative personality is a deep-seated belief that creativity is a reflection of intellectual ability. Too many of us think that ‘true’ creativity is the birthright of the gifted.”
However, this is another limiting belief. It’s simply a misaligned thought that, when correctly aligned, can do wonders for our creativity.
And how do we align it? That’s easy!
The author points to seven kinds of intelligence through which we can express our own creativity. He says, “Each of us is usually dominant in one or two of these intelligences, but each of us has a unique combination of all seven that we can explore and tap into throughout our lives.” And that wonderful, unique combination of your intelligences added to your curiosities and talents is what results in YOU being your fabulous and creative YOU.
Here are the seven kinds of intelligence:
- Verbal/linguistic: the ability to manipulate words in their oral or written form.
- Mathematical/logical: the ability to manipulate number systems and logical concepts.
- Spatial: the ability to see and manipulate patterns and designs.
- Musical: the ability to understand and manipulate musical concepts such as tone, rhythm and harmony.
- Bodily-kinesthetic: the ability to use one’s body and movement, such as in sports or dance.
- Intrapersonal: the ability to understand one’s feelings and to be reflective and philosophical.
- Interpersonal: the ability to understand other people and their thoughts and feelings.
Ayan emphasizes, “Whatever narrow visions you may have had in the past about your intelligence and creative potential, it is time to expand them and give yourself permission to experiment and find new ways to use your mind. […] Think in terms of your seven intelligences. Get up the courage to play on a much larger field and to pursue your inspiration wherever it may lie. If you are a scientist, you may very well… explore your desire to become a watercolor painter or musician. If you are an executive, you may find… how to tap into your intuition and become a stronger problem solver. There is ultimately no limit… to achieve a more creative lifestyle.”
ACTION
TODAY: The author asks us to think about the following questions: (1) How does your strongest intelligence relate to your job? Does your profession reflect your area of strength? (2) What hobbies or creative pursuits do you have and how do they relate to your intelligences? (3) If you could pick one of the intelligences [that you think is not one of your strengths] to develop, which would it be?
FUTURE: Whenever you get stuck trying to solve a problem or thinking about how to do something, come back to this list of seven kinds of intelligence. Maybe the one you are applying is not necessarily the best one for the job. Think about other ways to solve it or accomplish what you need to do using some other intelligence. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve!
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