A few dumb decisions smart people still make. Even the brightest minds can stumble.
1. Neglecting Health
Smart people often work tirelessly, pushing themselves to succeed—only to ignore their physical and mental health. Eventually, they find themselves unable to enjoy the very fruits of their labor.
2. Ignoring Personal Finances
They drive growth and profitability at work, but delay managing their own finances—investments, savings, pensions until it's too late.
3. Authenticity:
Authenticity is when your thoughts, words, and actions are in full alignment. The world notices any misalignment long before you do. Authenticity isn’t a selective part-time act.
4. Compromising Integrity
One strike and you’re out. It takes years to build a reputation, but only minutes to destroy it. No level of intelligence can rebuild broken trust overnight.
5. Avoiding Truth-Tellers
Surrounding yourself with people who only tell you what you want to hear is dangerous. Even medieval kings had jesters who, in their own way, spoke the truth.
6. Catching Dictator Syndrome
Long periods of power can breed delusion. You start drinking your own Kool-Aid and believing the world is at your feet. That’s when smart people stop listening—and start slipping.
7. Disengaging from the Next Generation
If you're not actively engaging with people aged 15 to 30, you're anchored to the past. Show me your calendar, and I’ll tell you whether you're leading the future or reliving the past.
8. Stopping the Learning Process
The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Intelligence isn’t an act; it’s a practice.
9. Lacking a Personal Board of Directors
You may have teams, committees, or corporate boards at work to guide decisions—but do you have a personal board of directors? A few trusted people who will call out your blind spots, challenge your assumptions, and pull you out of delusions when needed? If not, you’re flying solo when it matters most.
10. Over-Relying on Intelligence Alone
Being smart can get you in the room but emotional intelligence, humility, and resilience keep you there. Some smart people fall into the trap of thinking intellect is enough. It isn’t.
what do you think?
Take it easy until next time.
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