Your “I CAN” is more important than your IQ.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote means that believing in your own abilities and having a positive mindset towards achieving your goals is more crucial than your intellectual intelligence. While IQ may measure your cognitive abilities, it's your self-confidence, determination, and perseverance that often determine how successful you are in achieving what you set out to do. Having a positive "I CAN" attitude allows you to overcome challenges, push through setbacks, and unlock your full potential, regardless of your IQ score.
Who said the quote?
The quote “Your "I CAN" is more important than your IQ.” was said in the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Summary) by Robin S. Sharma. Robin S. Sharma is a leadership and success coach who has written many books on personal development and productivity.
What's the quote's message?
The quote, "Your 'I CAN' is more important than your IQ," is a powerful reminder of the significance of self-belief, determination, and a can-do attitude in achieving success. The message here emphasizes the idea that innate intelligence or IQ, while important, isn't the sole or even the most crucial determinant of success.
In other words, having a high IQ—often associated with raw intellectual potential—doesn't guarantee achievement. It's your mindset and determination—your 'I CAN' attitude—that often plays a greater role. This is a reinforcement of the idea that success is not just about intelligence, but more about perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to face challenges head on.
This can-do spirit is about believing in your own ability to learn, grow, and overcome obstacles. It's about the grit to keep going when things get tough and the courage to try, even when success isn't assured. It's this attitude that propels us forward, helps us learn from our mistakes, and ultimately allows us to achieve our goals, regardless of the limitations we may initially perceive.
In essence, the quote is a call to prioritize self-belief and resilience over mere intellectual prowess, highlighting that what truly counts is not just what we know or how smart we are, but what we are willing to do with what we know, how we apply it, and how determined we are to make our aspirations a reality.
Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
There are numerous historical examples that illustrate this quote. The idea behind it is that determination, belief in oneself, and hard work can often be more crucial to success than just intelligence. Here's one example:
Thomas Edison, the famed American inventor, is an excellent illustration of this principle. He had only three months of formal schooling, and yet he managed to become one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 patents to his name.
Perhaps the most famous example of Edison's determination and "I CAN" attitude is his development of the practical electric light bulb. The idea of electric lighting wasn't new, and other inventors had developed versions of incandescent lamps before Edison. However, these were not commercially practical or long-lasting.
Edison and his team conducted thousands of experiments to find the right filament that would make the bulb both practical and durable. He reportedly tested over 6,000 vegetable growths (and countless other materials) from around the world. The process was arduous and filled with failures, but Edison was not easily dissuaded. When confronted with his failures, Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." This quote demonstrates his unfaltering "I CAN" attitude.
Finally, after much trial and error, Edison and his team discovered that a carbonized bamboo filament could last over 1200 hours, leading to the first practical and commercially viable incandescent light bulb. Edison's dogged perseverance and unwavering belief in his ability to solve the problem proved more important than any measure of his intelligence quotient (IQ).
So, in Edison's case, his "I CAN" attitude, his relentless pursuit, and his resilience in the face of failure led to inventions that drastically changed the world – making his story a perfect example for the quote "Your "I CAN" is more important than your IQ."
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
The quote "Your 'I CAN' is more important than your IQ" emphasizes the significance of one's mindset, determination, and belief in oneself over intellectual abilities alone. It suggests that having a positive and can-do attitude plays a crucial role in achieving success and personal growth. Here's how this quote can be applied in a real-life scenario:
Personal Development: Embrace a growth mindset that focuses on continuous learning and improvement. Believe in your ability to learn new skills, overcome challenges, and adapt to different situations. Cultivate a positive attitude that empowers you to take on new opportunities and expand your capabilities.
Setting Goals: When pursuing your goals, place emphasis on developing a strong belief in yourself and your potential to achieve them. Maintain a positive "I CAN" attitude that drives your actions and motivates you to persist in the face of obstacles. Your mindset can make a significant difference in your ability to overcome challenges and stay committed to your goals.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Challenge and overcome self-limiting beliefs that hinder your progress. Recognize that your mindset and belief in your abilities are more influential than your IQ or perceived limitations. By adopting a can-do attitude, you can push past self-imposed boundaries and achieve things that you might have once thought were beyond your reach.
Building Resilience: Cultivate resilience by developing a positive outlook and belief in your capacity to bounce back from setbacks. Recognize that setbacks and failures are part of the learning process and use them as opportunities for growth. Maintaining a positive "I CAN" attitude can help you navigate challenges with resilience and perseverance.
Inspiring Others: Share your can-do attitude and belief in others' abilities. Encourage and support those around you to develop a positive mindset and believe in their own capabilities. Your belief in others can help them overcome self-doubt and unlock their potential.
In summary, the quote emphasizes the power of a positive mindset, determination, and belief in oneself. Applying this quote in real-life scenarios involves cultivating a can-do attitude, setting goals with confidence, overcoming limiting beliefs, building resilience, and inspiring others. By prioritizing your "I CAN" mindset, you can tap into your full potential and achieve success in various aspects of life.
* The editor of this interpretation made every effort to maintain information accuracy. This includes the source and any key ideas or meanings conveyed in it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
