I hear people say quite often, "he's so smart" or "she's so smart." And I wonder, what does "smart" mean?
Often "smart" means that someone was willing to put in tireless hours working through minute details to learn something that no one else cared to learn. Other times it means that someone knows something (even just a little bit) about a subject that seems very foreign, and therefore difficult, to us.
So, in what areas are you "smart"? We all (yes, all!) have things that we're good at, but we tend to devalue those things unless they are in a field that our society deems worthy. We also lose track of the things we're good at because they come naturally to us and we forget that not everyone can do them as well as we can.
Take me, for instance... I have mad math skills (I'm just saying...), but I can't cook to save my life. I can't paint. I'm not that good at mowing the lawn and I'm horrible at organization. So, does being able to do math problems make me smarter than the stay-at-home-mom that cooks, cleans, organizes and schedules for an entire family?
No. We're all smart in different areas. The key is to take a realistic look at what you're good at without devaluing it. Once we realize the true potential of our strengths, we can use them most effectively.
What are you good at? What comes easily to you?
Here's the bottom line... I'll help your kids with their math homework if you organize my office!