How To Act Smarter

 How To Act Smarter

The allure of Acting smarter - It's an interesting proposition, isn't it? - The ability to act a little smarter than we are to match those members of the self-proclaimed intelligentsia at their own game.

How many times have you met one of "those people"? - You know the ones, they have the answer to everything... Even the questions you didn't ask and they seem to enjoy belittling others.

Well, don't despair because I'm here to show you a few little tricks to make sure your gifts are utilized to the maximum possible potential.

You can certainly increase your intelligence and while you're doing it there are ways to convince everyone else you're smarter than they may have realized.

4 Easy Steps To Act Smarter

Here are 4 easy steps to squeezing every single drop of smarts you have into a laser-like precision attitude that will stop the even the smartest know-it-all in their tracks.

Here we go then...

Step 1.  Be Careful Of Your Subject Choice

Never get drawn into conversations you know nothing about. This is the first major hurdle you must learn to bypass - Commenting on topics that you have little knowledge opens you wide up to unwanted analysis and that's a bad thing, remember this quote:

"'Tis better to be thought of a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

A saying most often misattributed to Albert Einstein. 

I love that one, it's the truth though and inarguable - Limit your contributions to topics of which you know a great deal about.

Always be mindful that no matter what topics are discussed not many people will have more accurate and depth on a subject you truly love.

The more in social outings you converse about matters on which you are the authority then the more you will seem like the one with the answers and if you speak in a friendly noncondescending tone, you'll also appear the more socially adept.

The "smarty pants" types may not like your new-found attention and may try to subtly challenge you by asking your opinion about a topic they are knowingly the authority on, thus trying to make you seem less competent than they, however, be mindful not to get drawn in - Always have a backout plan such as "That subject isn't really of interest to me" or "I haven't really been following that", there is no shame in the reasoning of not engaging and you'll stick to the plan.

Step 2. Learn What You Like But Can Understand

Learn more about the things you enjoy. Trying to learn the dynamics of day trading when you are a plumber may be a completely fruitless exercise (unless you trade on the side of course) if you have no interest in the subject.

Things that are of great interest to us are far easier to retain and therefore recall at a later date (such as a social situation). Spend a little time learning about the things that really interest you, a good example is if you liked travel would be to research interesting and unusual facts about some holiday destinations in preparation for an interesting conversation.

Good social rapport is priceless but you don't need to be an A-type personality to have a great discussion, you just have to be interesting.

The more intellective the topic the more intellectual you will appear so smarter topics will mean you are not just acting smarter you are growing smarter.  All this exercising of the brain will have some really positive effects on your cognitive growth.

Step 3.  Subtlety 

Steer the discussion in the direction you want in a subtle manner. It takes some skill to do but leaders have been doing it for decades and it works.

Little subtle changes of direction towards the topic you would like to converse about do two things that keep you on top - 1. It stops the complex topics have no idea about from constantly showing you up and 2. It stops you from being silent while those topics are been discussed.

So in acting smarter you must apply good social directive and somewhat master the art of subtlety otherwise your changes in topical direction will seem like conversational spam.

Step 4. Control

Control your environment. If Johnny Know-it-all is going to be at the party, know in advance and avoid him, and when unavoidable follow steps 1-3 and be sure to escape on a high note, as your confidence increases you will find it easier to do.

It is important to be disciplined about when to enter the discussion because the wisdom you impart will be the wisdom you are judge on. Plan ahead of time by researching the internet on witty retorts and amazing little known facts, these gems can make directing conversation a breeze and who knows you might learn something.

Be prepared and you will act smarter and be perceived as smarter and hopefully, you might develop a thirst for knowledge along the way. Best of luck.

In Conclusion

Acting smarter can be a real tool for those who feel they don't let their best and most intellectual voice get heard, and with some hard work that can all change.

It appears that cognitive neuroscience says that if you really want to, you can increase your intelligence through learning, curiosity, and a little hard work.

Hopefully, you now know how to act smarter and you'll use it wisely. If you take an interest in intellectual things then perhaps you will have to pretend to be smart at all.