How to become smart with just a change of habit

The habits we demonstrate or put up has a way of affecting even our IQ or smartness levels. This stance has been backed by popular physiological books such as Atomic habits, The power of habits, The 5 AM Club, Tiny habits and several others. These great books, among several others tries to explain the fact that the little things or activities we carry out has a very reasonable potential of reflecting in your overall being (IQ or smartness).

Before we head into the content of this article, imagine being an Uber driver in the capital city of your country. having worked for about five years, I am pretty sure you would not really need a navigation tool to make it to certain locations in the city. Why? 

This is so because, you become what you constantly do. let's consider the following habits to develop if you really want to be smart and proactive.

1. Learn a musical instrument: The idea of learning a musical instrument automatically boosts certain aspects of your body. It automatically enhances coordination, improves memory and focus, enhances the ability to multitask and also enhances the 

2. Learn to question everything: Becoming smarter is about developing a habit of curiosity, critical thinking, and skepticism. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

    Ask “Why?” and “How?” Constantly

Instead of accepting things at face value, dig deeper. When you hear a fact, statement, or opinion, ask:

• Why is this true?
• How do we know this?
• Who benefits from this ideas

    Challenge Assumptions

Most beliefs and societal norms are based on assumptions. Try to break them down:

• Is this belief based on facts or tradition?
• Could there be another explanation?

    Follow the Evidence, Not Emotions

We tend to believe what aligns with our emotions or past experiences. Instead, train yourself to seek objective proof. Research multiple sources before forming an opinion.

    Play Devil’s Advocate

Argue against your own beliefs and ideas. If you support an idea, force yourself to find its weaknesses. This strengthens your understanding and makes you a better thinker.

    Seek Out Different Perspectives

Talk to people with opposing views. Read books and articles that challenge your way of thinking. Exposing yourself to different ideas helps refine your reasoning skills.

    Be Comfortable with Uncertainty

The smartest people don’t always have all the answers, but they know how to ask the right questions. Accept that you might not know everything—and that’s okay.

    Avoid Cognitive Biases

We all have biases that shape our thinking. Learn about biases like confirmation bias (favoring information that supports our beliefs) and survivorship bias (only looking at successful examples).

    Learn to Spot Logical Fallacies

People use flawed reasoning all the time. Learn about fallacies like:

• Strawman argument (misrepresenting someone’s argument to attack it)
• Appeal to authority (believing something just because an expert said it)
• Ad hominem (attacking the person instead of their argument)

    Practice Thought Experiments

Einstein often used thought experiments to explore ideas. Try imagining extreme scenarios to test the limits of concepts and ideas.

    Keep a Question Journal

Write down interesting questions that pop into your head throughout the day. Later, research and try to answer them. This builds a habit of inquiry.

 The smartest people never stop learning. They question everything, but they also seek answers, test ideas, and refine their understanding over time. Keep questioning, keep learning!

3. Think of new ways of doing old thing. 

 Getting smarter by thinking of new ways to do old things is all about developing creativity, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. Here’s how you can train your brain to rethink and improve existing processes:

    Question the Status Quo

Most things are done a certain way simply because "that’s how they’ve always been done." Challenge this by asking:

• Is this really the best way?
• What problem was this method originally solving?
• Would this still be the best approach if we started from scratch today?

    Break Things Down to First Principles

Instead of accepting traditional methods, reduce them to their fundamental truths.

• Example: Instead of asking, “How can I make a better car?” ask, “What is the core function of a car? How else can we achieve that function?”
• This is how Tesla reimagined electric vehicles and SpaceX rethought rocket launches.

Ask yourself:

• What is the basic goal of this task/process?
• Are there alternative ways to achieve the same outcome?

    Reverse the Process

Try solving a problem backwards or in a different order than usual.

• Example: Instead of improving customer service by adding more staff, companies like Amazon removed the need for customer service altogether by simplifying their return process.
• Think: What if I started at the end result and worked my way backward?

    Apply Ideas from Different Fields

Innovation often comes from combining unrelated concepts.

• The iPhone was created by merging a phone with a touchscreen interface (inspired by tablets).
• Fast food drive-thrus were inspired by bank drive-thru services.
• Nike’s waffle-patterned running shoes came from a waffle iron.

Ask:

• How is this problem solved in a completely different industry?
• Can I borrow an idea from another field and apply it here?

    Use Constraints to Spark Creativity

Sometimes, restrictions force us to be more innovative.

• Example: The Apollo 13 team had to create a CO2 filter using only the materials available on the spaceship—leading to an unconventional but effective solution.
• Challenge yourself:
  • How would I do this with half the budget?
  • How could I make this work in half the time?
  • What if I had only one tool to complete this task?

    Eliminate, Automate, or Simplify

Old ways often involve unnecessary steps. Look for ways to streamline.

• Example: Henry Ford revolutionized car manufacturing by introducing the assembly line, reducing production time drastically.
• Ask yourself:
  • Is this step truly necessary?
  • Can this be automated?
  • Is there a simpler way to achieve the same result?

    Experiment & Embrace Failure

The smartest innovators constantly test and iterate.

• Thomas Edison tested over 10,000 different materials before finding the right filament for the light bulb.
• Tech companies like Google and Amazon run A/B tests on their platforms to find the most effective designs.

Adopt an experimental mindset by:

• Trying multiple solutions instead of sticking to just one.
• Viewing failures as learning opportunities.
• Gathering feedback and refining your approach.

    Think in Opposites (Contrarian Thinking)

Some of the biggest breakthroughs come from doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

• Netflix killed late fees (which Blockbuster relied on).
• Airbnb made non-hotel stays the preferred choice for travelers.
• Tesla made electric cars cool, reversing the stereotype of them being slow and boring.

Ask:

• What is the industry norm, and what if I did the opposite?
• What if I removed something instead of adding more?

    Use Mind Mapping & Brainstorming

Visualization helps unlock fresh ideas.

• Mind maps allow you to connect unrelated thoughts and see new possibilities.
• Rapid brainstorming (writing 10-20 ideas quickly without judgment) can spark unique solutions.

Example:
If you want to improve productivity, list out every traditional method, then brainstorm unconventional alternatives.

    Surround Yourself with Different Thinkers

The best way to expand your perspective is to interact with people who think differently.

• Talk to people in different fields or with different experiences.
• Read books/articles outside of your usual interests.
• Ask for opinions from outsiders who aren’t biased by industry norms.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Why is it important to rethink old ways of doing things?

Rethinking old methods leads to innovation, efficiency, and problem-solving breakthroughs. It helps you stay adaptable in a constantly changing world and can give you a competitive edge in business, creativity, and personal growth.

2. How can I train my brain to think differently?

• Question everything: Don’t just accept things as they are—ask why and how.
• Use first first-principles thinking: Break a problem down to its core and rebuild it in a new way.
• Seek inspiration from other fields: Look at how different industries solve problems and apply those insights.
• Experiment constantly: Try new methods, analyze results, and refine your approach.

3. What are some simple ways to improve old methods?

• Eliminate unnecessary steps (simplify the process).
• Automate repetitive tasks using tools or technology.
• Reverse the process to see if there’s a better way.
• Combine different ideas from unrelated fields.
• Test multiple solutions instead of sticking to one.

4. What’s an example of a company that rethought an old process?

• Netflix: Transformed movie rentals by eliminating late fees and introducing streaming.
• Tesla: Challenged the idea that electric cars had to be slow and unattractive.
• Uber: Changed the taxi industry by making ride-hailing app-based and more efficient.

5. What if my new way of doing things doesn’t work?

Failure is part of the learning process. Test, analyze, and adjust your approach. Even if your idea doesn’t work, you’ll gain insights that lead to better solutions.

6. How can I develop the habit of thinking differently?

• Ask “What if…?” questions daily.
• Surround yourself with diverse thinkers.
• Read outside your comfort zone.
• Play with constraints (e.g., “How would I do this with no budget?”).
• Keep a curiosity journal to jot down new ideas and observations.

7. Can AI or technology help me rethink old ways?

Yes! AI can:

• Automate repetitive tasks.
• Generate new ideas through pattern recognition.
• Provide insights from big data to optimize decision-making.
• Act as a brainstorming tool (e.g., ChatGPT).

Using AI can free up mental space for more creative thinking.

8. How do I know if my idea is truly better?

Test it! Compare the old way vs. your new method in terms of:

✅ Efficiency (Does it save time or effort?)
✅ Effectiveness (Does it achieve better results?)
✅ Scalability (Can it work on a larger scale?)
✅ User-friendliness (Is it easier to use or understand?)

If it improves on one or more of these, you’re onto something!

9. What’s the mindset of someone who constantly innovates?

• Curiosity: Always asking “What if…?”
• Resilience: Not afraid of failure.
• Openness: Willing to challenge their own ideas.
• Action-oriented: Quickly tests and refines ideas.
• Lifelong learner: Always looking for new insights.

10. How do I start applying this today?

1. Pick one routine or process you follow daily.
2. Ask: Why is it done this way?
3. Think of three alternative ways to achieve the same result.
4. Experiment and test a new approach.
5. Repeat this process regularly to build the habit.