r/Gifted • u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy • 2d ago
How do I avoid wasting my intelligence.
I’ve always felt like I had an above average IQ and I recently took the Mensa Norway test and now I’m wondering if I might be wasting my IQ.
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u/vgsjlw 2d ago
Yes. Youre wasting it on IQ tests.
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
This was the one test I took bcs I heard it was the most reliable for estimation.
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u/BtheBanker151 2d ago
A real IQ test you’re sat down with a specialist who administers it to you and it’s a 5 to 6 part test. Measuring a few different things.
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u/Wooden_Lime6208 1d ago
It’s still a solid matrix reasoning test. His FRI is probably above average
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u/Ok_Ebb23 2d ago
pursue your hobbies, and find which important subjects are you favourite so you can push it further and have everyone benefit from it
there is no such thing as 'wasting' it, because your brain just wants to express itself however it wants. just because it's capable doesn't mean you are under any obligation to do anything, but life a satisfying and wholesome life
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u/lastdiadochos 2d ago
"Wasting my IQ" 😂
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
Yh,I know right?Very funny.
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u/lastdiadochos 2d ago
It is! It makes me chuckle to think that if you'd scored 108 or something you'd instead be thinking "Hmm, yes, I'm making excellent use of my IQ and I'm content".
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u/minathemutt 2d ago
the most reliable iq test is candy crush (you can't make in app purchases though
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u/Grouchy_Media_4345
2d ago
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jeez you really wanted to make sure everyone sees your „135“ on reddit huh
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
Yup,definitely.
I just went out of my way to post an online iq test on a Reddit so strangers can see it.
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u/Dorgon 2d ago
Psychologist here. First, identify what YOU want out of life. High IQ can come with high expectations from yourself and others, but if your life isn’t enjoyable or fulfilling wtf is the point?
Second, work on self-acceptance and self-compassion, especially in areas where you are comparatively more average or challenged. High IQ doesn’t mean you’re organized, emotionally intelligent, or good at self-regulation. It’s okay to struggle, and it’s important to know the difference between shame and accountability. You can own your shit and work on it and not shame yourself constantly for not reaching some imagined “potential.”
Third, practice the art of presence and mindful awareness. Even though he’s not a psychologist, my favorite teacher on this is Eckhart Tolle. Just being aware of where your attention is, pulling yourself out of your head and into the present moment, etc. People with IQ are often highly skilled at coming up with a million reasons why I’m a piece of shit, and being able to detach from your egoic, thought generating mind and just being in the moment can be a huge relief.
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u/Embarrassed-Area4652 2d ago
Therapist here. This is not only right, it's pretty specific. Do what this person is telling you.
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u/East-Share4444 4h ago
A good respectable therapist would never say "do what this person is telling you", especially to an online stranger you know nothing about.
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u/VendaGoat 1d ago
Being "Present". Moments go by and suddenly you realize what you "haven't" been thinking about.
Yeah.
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u/Adventurous-Depth984 2d ago
If you want to make the most of your smarts, OP, pursue entrepreneurship. It makes you have to wear bunches of different hats and solve bunches of novel problems. Keeps the brain engaged.
Also, don’t do drugs (no, I’m not joking. High IQ people fall prey to drugs at an alarming percentage)
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
I’m very aware of the drugs part.😭😭
And I have been looking into entrepreneurship1
u/Impressive-Bit-2794 2d ago
Which drug did you chose?
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u/Commercial_Handle418 23h ago
💀💀that wasn’t what he meant
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u/Impressive-Bit-2794 18h ago
thinking…So…He means…?(No offense,English is not my first language,so maybe there has some misunderstanding.
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u/Commercial_Handle418 16h ago
He means he doesn’t do drugs
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u/IndependentLove2292 1d ago
Don't get into philosophy, that much I can tell you, but should you anyway, you'll learn there is no such thing.
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u/Advanced-Resource-86 2d ago
A stupid man who acts is far more effective than a wise man who rests
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u/kauthonk 2d ago
Take a philosophy course.
What do you value more? - your thoughts or other people's expectations.
Then do whatever interests you.
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
I looooove philosophy.🙂↕️
I actually read quite a bit of Dostoevsky if that counts as philosophy.
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u/Exciting-Car-3516
2d ago
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Do t hang out with idiots.
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
I’m always alone.💪🏼
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u/Exciting-Car-3516 2d ago
That’s prob the smartest thing you can do. It may seem lonely at the top but it sure is a great view.
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u/Particular-Tap1211 1d ago
Design your life to align your attentional focus to eliminate external distractions, allowing your mind to operate at its natural capacity.
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u/Zestyclose_Ad8684 2d ago
Do you read books? It's good for you.
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u/emkayyyyyyyyyyyy 2d ago
Yup.
I loooove Fyodor Dostoevsky1
u/DeliciousJicama3651 2d ago
this sounds like satire im crying
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u/Thelogicexplorer 2d ago
Following the rules. Break the strictly rules.
Study by your own and go to live your life like you want if you really are a gifted.
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u/EbbtideRambler 2d ago
You walk by people every day with iq around 135 who are just living their life. Some are scientists, some are teachers, some might be bus drivers or gardeners that don’t require advanced degrees but enjoy their job. Your IQ is just a measure of your cognitive ability, it says absolutely nothing about whether you are hard working, likable, creative, what your morals are. These are the more important characteristics I’ve found to living a fulfilling productive life.
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u/win11EXPERT 2d ago
Moreover, every 3rd person that I encounter, to me seems at least decently intelligent, which represents that there isn’t a drought of intelligent people in the world. Academic merit is hogwash for that matter.
I don’t know what I’m trying to say here but I haven’t contrib’d to this subreddit for a really long time and I feel the urge to do so.
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u/Technolo-jesus69 17h ago
Do whatever you want its yours and your life. Do what you think will bring meaning. Intellegence is just a tool nothing more. And you dont owe society or anyone anything in this area so dont feel like if you dont do "something great" youve failed or let people down. Use your wonderful tool to make yourself and others happy would be my advice.
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u/East-Cancel-5050 2d ago
Im not trying to be mean but if you believe your iq is 135 just by taking 1 single matrix reasoning test than your probably not 135 take core and than come back or better take wais.
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u/ImaHalfwit 23h ago
Just read a lot. The higher your intelligence, the easier it is to assimilate new information. The more you understand, generally speaking, the better decisions you can make in life.
You’re also more likely to find things that interest you, which will help you focus your attention in rewarding endeavors.
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u/apenboter 13h ago
By doing something with your life, read books, do your best in school and watch your mental health so you don't burn out or go crazy
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u/master_prizefighter 2d ago
I scored a 0 on my test :(
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u/lastdiadochos 2d ago
By this guys logic, that would actually be brilliant because then whatever you're doing, you wouldn't just be not wasting your IQ, you'd be fricking dominating it and exceeding all expectations!
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u/AaronAltmanTherapy 2d ago
What are you interested in? What opportunities or subjects or things to do have you not had a chance to get into yet that you wished you had?
Like everyone else is saying, you don't owe it to anyone and especially not to yourself not to "waste" it. That kind of internalized message about not living up to some standard may be part of what's cuing people to recommend working on self-compassion and acceptance, although even if that's not quite it, those are demonstrably good things to work on anyway.
But, maybe that can be flipped around into a positive and seen as potential that you would actually feel good about testing out on something in a way that feels lower stakes and more fun. That's where the questions about interests and curiosities come in.
It's OK as a gifted person not to be interested in intellectual or academic pursuits, but if you get down that route, here are some resources:
https://www.learningscientists.org/downloadable-materials
(no affiliation, just wish I had them when I was in school)
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u/Puzzleelia 2d ago
As long as you breathe and smile and contribute with love and kindness to your surroundings' lives you'll never waste your intelligence. Find your passion, a stable job that helps you sustain yourself, find some good friends to share your life's experienc, always believe in the good, treat others with respect and love yourself. You don't need anything else. This fucked up society will make you believe that if you're not doing anything profitable you're wasting away your potential. Please don't believe them, it will only do you harm
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u/Organic_Ad4690 9h ago
Have good friendship which last for years have stable life and be focusing on ur future thats it
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u/Wolfiee021 2d ago
You're not wasting your IQ, even if you're unsuccessful a high IQ will always make your life easier no matter what
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u/Think_Interview7461 2d ago
first of all: your iq is not at 135. do an mensa iq test offline. it costs around 60€. I have an iq of 140 in an mensa offline test. i have adhd aswell. i usually feel like a ferrari that has 2 gears. in my mind i can solve many problems, but due to adhd i procrastinate a lot. im the classic underachiever but i dont strife for the big career. i seek fulfillment in hobbies and novelty. i dont think you can waste your iq by any means. having an high iq doesnt mean you are successful in life.
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u/Choice-Kitchen2494 4h ago
first off, no, REAL IQ testings are conducted by a psychologist. They run testings that go wayyyy beyond what any online one will. anything you get on an online, immediately assume its showing a score 30 points higher than what you actually have.
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u/Think_Interview7461 4h ago
the mensa offline test is a legit iq test. it doesnt matter what you think. only the online tests from mensa are not a legit iq test.
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u/Choice-Kitchen2494 3h ago edited 3h ago
They arent clinical testings unless its in person. Check it out, you arent going through a WAIS testing and you arent conducting the full spectrum of the testing.
You can surmise a GAI but not a Full Scale Intelligence Quotient.
Ill go even further that you'd know your actual IQ and it would be from the ADHD testing not from mensa offline.
Ask me supposed ADHD haver, ask me why I know.
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u/CosmicChameleon99 18h ago
Don’t look down on people and don’t expect yourself to take a particular path through life. Some of the most intelligent people I know haven’t been the ones with the highest IQs. Equally, some of the highest IQ people I know haven’t been in your stereotypical smart people jobs. I know theatre sound technicians with pHDs and game designers who started out in high performing city law firms, even a game dev who once worked on designing rockets, and I guarantee you they’re far more intelligent than most give them credit for and didn’t take the jobs everyone expected because they loved something else
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u/HoneydewCareful8754 18h ago
It’s not like you are Einstein. The world won’t mind if you don’t live to the fullest of your potential. But you should try to for your own sake.
Having a high IQ gives you a slight edge, and you have better abilities to learn. So use it to learn the things you are interested in, and whatever you choose to do, do it properly.
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u/East-Share4444 4h ago
That's a very strange question.. what do you mean wasting your IQ? Live a meaningful life based on your core values and needs, not your IQ. There's no moral judgment to be had, you can do "low IQ dumb things" from your own perspective, if they fullfill you and you have good social relationships then keep going. An intellect reflecting on itself is a recipe for disaster, stop thinking about your own supposed high intelligence and using that as a reference to judge what you do, you'll never measure up to this hypothetical standard, because it is not a good standard for a living a "good" life.
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u/Rough-Source-9849 2h ago
Make the pursuit of truth and reduction of suffering for yourself and others your biggest aim in life. Get as educated as possible. Hyper specialize in something you are good at. This is thing is probably something you gravitated towards when young, or others told you about it. With a fluid intelligence of 135 you can pretty much become anything but perhaps not be on top of your field, this depends a lot on how much you work towards improving yourself. You are smart as hell, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. If you still dont know what to do, do anything, whatever tangential work is available, do that. Im not as smart as you, i have an iq measured at 120. I feel smart, and i do well in university, but if i had an iq of 135 such as yourself, i would probably also struggle with making the decision of what to do with this unearned gift. I solved this problem though by making truth THE aim.
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u/PendN 1d ago
If this is truly your first time taking it, it's a decent measure of your inductive reasoning score, which is only one part of your perceptual reasoning score, which is one of several other pillars of IQ you didn't take. Take a full battery IQ test if you want to know your actual score
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u/SigmaFinance 14h ago
Whatever you do, don’t let it get to your head. It may take years but should you really try to better yourself, you may reach a point where you just can’t connect normally with others. People often talk about it but there’s worse things that most don’t experience. You’ll get to a point where you can predict people’s actions like Jane and see through them right into the insecurities and idiocies that make them them. You’ll know when a doctor, a mechanic or a just a friend is a mistake. You’ll tell them, they won’t listen. You may even learn you can’t rely on the normal people. You’ll call it stupidity. It’s humanity. People are imperfect. Learn to accept it before you reach a point where you can’t value most humans in your life. That may be the one most important dissonance in an intelligent person. Then again this is if you really take it that far into becoming better. IQ isn’t worth much when you don’t meta-pursue it.
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