The View from a Drawbridge

The random musings of an autistic bridgetender with entirely too much time on her hands.

The Thing About IQ

I know a boy who despairs because his IQ isn’t as high as he’d like it to be. He thinks he’s doomed to failure. He thinks he’s stupid. I heard in passing on NPR today (sorry, couldn’t tell you who said it or on which program) that IQ is not as good an indicator of…

I know a boy who despairs because his IQ isn’t as high as he’d like it to be. He thinks he’s doomed to failure. He thinks he’s stupid.

I heard in passing on NPR today (sorry, couldn’t tell you who said it or on which program) that IQ is not as good an indicator of academic success as discipline is. Someone who has a lower IQ and perseveres, gets his or her assignments done on time, and doesn’t put off studying ‘til the last minute is bound to do well. So, boys and girls, don’t let that IQ number get you down.

The reason I feel comfortable even discussing this without an adequate citation is that I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve seen people struggle and plug away at various disciplines and come out on top because they really apply themselves. Their success is hard-won, but it’s still success. I’ve also seen people with genius IQs fail miserably in the working world because they may know their stuff, but they are incapable of communicating with others.

I truly believe that it’s much more important to be well-rounded than it is to be at the top of some arbitrary scale. I’m much more impressed with someone who has a lot of life experience than I am with someone who is so high up in his ivory tower that he cannot see the landscape.

So live your life. Take advantage of any opportunity for a new experience that comes your way. And most of all, don’t let some number dictate who you are or who you can be.

Q-Ivory.Tower

[Image credit: capecodtoday.com]

7 responses to “The Thing About IQ”

  1. Carole Lewis Avatar
    Carole Lewis

    I used to work for a rehabilitation center for a National Charity. One High School student had problems with time. It made it difficult finding someone to hire him, but we did. I moved on to other jobs. Six years later, while walking through a shopping center parking lot, A young man pulled up next to me in a Red Sports Car. He called me by name, and at first I could not recognize him. He told me his name and said he wanted to Thank me. I couldn’t figure out why, so he told me that when he was at the center I was so nice to him, when many others at school and every place else was not. But most of all telling him that if he “Showed up, worked hard and put his heart into his job, he would succeed.”
    He told me he was a Manager, bought this car, was married, was buying a house and expecting their first child. So again he said Thank You for caring about me, and believing in me”.
    When I hear others pick on someone with learning disabilities or low IQ, I remember Adam, who against all odds. Rose to the challenges of life and conquered them, and loved his life. And I would like to Thank the employer that took a chance on a low IQ high school student and guided him on his way. He is the true hero.

    Reply
    1. The View from a Drawbridge Avatar
      The View from a Drawbridge

      Wow, that’s an inspiring story. It’s times like these when I really think you should be writing a blog, Carole.

      Reply
  2. pouringmyartout Avatar
    pouringmyartout

    This is why I hate American Idol type shows… teaching kids that success is a contest you win in weeks, not a slog that lasts years.

    Reply
    1. The View from a Drawbridge Avatar
      The View from a Drawbridge

      Very good point.

      Reply
      1. pouringmyartout Avatar
        pouringmyartout

        I have those now and then

  3. JackieP Avatar
    JackieP

    I have known some high IQ people who wouldn’t be able to do much of anything, because they had no common sense to go with that high IQ. So I am with you on this one. IQ is an antiquated way of judging people. It’s not very accurate.

    Reply
    1. The View from a Drawbridge Avatar
      The View from a Drawbridge

      And common sense isn’t always very common.

      Reply

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