CAREER COUNSELING
Let me begin by asking a very simple question: what do you think intelligence is and how would you define it? If you think good grades define a person’s intelligence or if you think IQ is the only quantitative analysis of your smartness, then you are wrong, my friends. Find out if you have amazing hidden skills and talents. I’m sure you will. And if you have been demotivated because you couldn’t get good scores, or you achieved average or even below average scores, this article will help you find your potentials so that you can utilize them to the best of your abilities. This will not only give you a great sense of satisfaction, but most of all, you’ll enjoy every single moment and excel beyond your imagination. Follow me, as I help you discover the hidden pearl in your clamps.
Harvard University Psychologist, Howard Gardner, in the year 1938 revealed in his book “Frames of Mind” the entire spectrum of intelligences and not just the single entity “intelligence” as we have been perceiving it for so long. His theory of Multiple Intelligences proposed that all people have different kinds of intelligences, and that they come in various forms. Even though the theory has received criticism, describing it too vast for the word intelligence to encompass all these forms, it still enjoys wide popularity and has helped people get to know themselves better and opt for better suited career subsequently.
Gardner, in his work was not just talking about the intellectual capacity of an individual that we all consider true intelligence. Rather, he has classified intelligence into the following eight groups:
1. Visual spatial intelligence
2. Linguistic verbal intelligence
3. Logical mathematical intelligence
4. Bodily kinesthetics intelligence
5. Musical intelligence
6. Interpersonal intelligence
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
8. Naturalistic intelligence
You may find yourself good at one of these or may be more at the same time. Knowing about these may help a person determine his strengths and weaknesses and take decisions based on that fact. Let’s briefly walk through these to understand them clearly.
Visual spatial intelligence
These people are good at visualizing things. They enjoy reading and writing as well as drawing and painting. They may also be good with directions, maps and interpretation of charts, animations and graphs. Such gifted peoples can make good architects, artists and engineers.
Linguistic verbal intelligence
Individuals who possess linguistic verbal intelligence have good command over their speaking and writings. Their memory is also sharp. They also enjoy writing and reading, and their arguments are usually persuasive. They are good storytellers. They ought to become successful writers, lawyers, motivational speakers, orators and teachers.
Logical mathematical intelligence
Solving and analysing problems is the power of this next type of intelligence. Individuals also tend to have a rational approach on life and relationships. They are very good with numbers and enjoy playing with them. These properties can make you an outstanding scientist, mathematician, engineer, a computer programmer or even an accountant.
Bodily kinesthetic intelligence
People with good body movements and posture control stand out at performing actions like dancing and sports. Such individuals find it easy remembering things if they perform it rather than seeing or hearing. This reminds me of an episode of the famous show, Hannah Montana, where she creates a “bone dance” to memorize the names of bones for her science test. No wonder, these people are good dancers, builders, sculptors and actors.
Musical intelligence
Many of us like to hear a good piece of music, but then there are people for whom music is passion. It is their life because they can think in patterns, rhythms and sounds. They can understand the notes and melodies and so can make use of their abilities and excel as musicians, singers, music teachers, composers or conductors.
Interpersonal intelligence
There is always that one person with whom we can share many things, seek advice and talk about our problems. No matter how many times we go to them for help, they never seem to disappoint us. People with interpersonal intelligence are good at understanding and interacting with other people. They can understand the feelings and emotions of other people and don’t try to judge them. Instead, they can understand their situations and interact and react accordingly. These people can become good psychologists, philosophers, counsellors, salespersons and politicians.
Intrapersonal intelligence
A wise saying by Buddha goes like this:
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection!”
A person who acknowledges his emotions, feelings and self-reflection tend to stay happy and succeed in life. Unfortunately, not everyone can do that. As a result, at times they may be carried away by the harsh waves of the sea. A person who is aware of his/her own feelings remains steadfast in uncertain circumstances because they know what makes them happy and they try to avoid the source of their discomfort or unhappiness. They discover their motivations and try to analyse their talents. Such people can make good philosophers, writers, theorists and scientists.
Naturalistic intelligence
Gardner has stated that this type of intelligence brings with itself the ability to enjoy and seek pleasure from nature and not just that, but such individuals have the ability to understand the principles of nature and are eager to explore the environment to find out about various living organisms. They tend to become better gardeners, farmers, biologists or conservationists.
Throughout the world, many school systems have understood the principles explained by Gardner and are applying it to educate children in a better way. This theory has strong implications for adults’ learning as well. We, therefore, need to encourage people to do what they think they can do best and excel at. This will not only make them happy at their work, but they will feel a sense of belonging to a place that they think is meant for them to work in. Nothing good comes out of compulsion. Great things have been achieved in the most natural way. Putting all of this in another way, observe which thing connects you best with yourself. Is it words, numbers or logic, pictures, music, self-reflection, a physical or a social experience, or simply an experience in the natural world? With this being said I wish you discover yourself and succeed in whatever you do.