For a long time, I was stuck in a mental rut.
You might know the feeling: Stagnation. Lack of creativity. The same old thoughts. Not feeling any smarter than a year, a month, even a day ago.
I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a self-professed psychology enthusiast. About a decade ago, I was just cruising through life without any significant intellectual growth.
I read, sure. I learned new things, definitely. But I wasn’t growing. I was merely collecting information without truly expanding my understanding or perspective.
The culprit? Seven insidious habits that were stifling my intellectual growth without me even realizing it. According to psychology, letting go of these habits was key to reigniting my intellectual growth.
In this article, I’ll share these habits with you. My hope is that by recognizing and saying goodbye to them, you too can continue to grow intellectually as you get older.
Let’s dive in.
1) Stop multitasking
Psychology has shown us that multitasking is a major intellectual growth inhibitor.
We’re often told that the more we can juggle, the smarter we are.
But in reality, when we divide our attention, we’re not fully engaged in any of our tasks. This leads to shallow understanding and poor memory retention.
I used to pride myself on my ability to multitask. I’d be reading an article, replying to emails, and thinking about my next project all at once. But I realized this was actually stunting my intellectual growth.
When we multitask, we’re not giving each task the attention it deserves. We’re not absorbing information deeply or thinking critically.
The moment I started focusing on one task at a time, I noticed a significant change. I began understanding concepts on a deeper level and remembering information more accurately.
If you’re a serial multitasker like I was, try this: dedicate specific blocks of time to individual tasks.
Allow yourself to be fully present and focused on what you’re doing. You’ll be surprised by how much more you understand and remember.
2) Letting fear of failure hold you back
It’s a hard truth to accept, but it’s essential for intellectual growth: Embrace failure.
For years, I was terrified of failing. Whether it was launching Hack Spirit or asking a thought-provoking question at a conference, I often held myself back out of fear of not being good enough or of being wrong.
But failure is a crucial part of growth. Through our mistakes, we learn and expand our understanding.
Once you push through the initial embarrassment of making a mistake, you’ll realize that failure is a goldmine of lessons. You can see where you went wrong, what you misunderstood, and how you can improve in the future.
3) Being content with what you already know
Complacency is a silent killer of intellectual growth.
There was a time in my life when I thought I knew all there was to know about psychology. After all, I’d spent years studying it, reading books, attending seminars. What more could there be?
But boy, was I wrong.
One day, I stumbled upon a new psychology theory that completely contradicted what I’d learned and believed in. Instead of dismissing it, I decided to dive in and understand it.
I spent weeks studying this new theory, challenging my previous beliefs, and engaging in debates with others. It was a humbling experience that made me realize how much I didn’t know.
This experience taught me the importance of maintaining a “beginner’s mind.”
In the words of Zen master Shunryu Suzuki, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”
Never be content with what you already know. Always be open to new ideas, perspectives, and knowledge. It’s the only way to truly grow intellectually.
4) Neglecting physical health
Even if it seems unrelated, physical health plays a significant role in cognitive development and intellectual growth.
Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center, highlighted by the Brain Health Network, shows that consistent aerobic exercise boosts blood flow to brain regions linked to memory, resulting in notable improvements in memory scores over a year.
This underscores how physical activity not only enhances fitness but also sharpens cognitive functions, such as memory and focus, keeping the mind adaptable and ready for growth.
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine is a powerful tool for both physical fitness and mental sharpness.
Regular activity not only strengthens the body but also primes the mind for faster learning, better memory, and improved focus—fundamental components of lifelong intellectual growth.
So, don’t overlook the impact of physical health; it’s essential for a mind that’s sharp and ready to tackle new challenges.
5) Staying in your comfort zone
Comfort zones: They’re cozy, familiar, and…intellectually stifling.
I’ve always been a creature of habit. I love routines and sticking to what I know. But then I realized that my love for comfort was holding me back intellectually.
You see, growth happens when you challenge yourself, when you venture into the unknown. Staying in your comfort zone means you’re not pushing your boundaries or testing your limits.
Don’t shy away from discomfort. Embrace it. It’s a sign that you’re pushing your intellectual boundaries and growing as a result.
6) Dismissing differing opinions
It’s tempting to dismiss opinions that differ from our own, but engaging with opposing viewpoints is essential for intellectual growth.
Research shows that open-mindedness and “intellectual humility”—the willingness to consider different perspectives—can enhance cognitive flexibility and resilience.
Studies from Duke University have found that intellectually humble individuals are better able to navigate complex discussions, as they’re less defensive and more receptive to new information.
Next time you encounter differing opinions, try listening closely and engaging thoughtfully; it’s an opportunity to broaden your worldview and strengthen critical thinking skills.
7) Believing you need to constantly be productive
In our hustle culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing we need to be constantly productive in order to grow intellectually.
But here’s a revolutionary fact: You need rest for growth.
There were times when I’d push myself to work late into the night, believing that the more hours I put in, the smarter I’d become. But this only led to burnout and decreased mental acuity.
Research shows that our brains need downtime to process and consolidate information. It’s during these quiet moments that we form connections, have creative insights, and truly absorb what we’ve learned.
As counterintuitive as it may seem, taking regular breaks from work or study can actually improve your intellectual growth and therefore your results.
Try this: Next time you’re in a study or work session, instead of pushing through fatigue, take a short break.
Go for a walk, meditate, or just sit quietly. Give your brain the downtime it needs to process and grow. You might be surprised by the insights you gain when you allow your mind to rest.
Source: Blog Herald – Lachlan Brown
