IQ?

Psssshaw.

That’s so passé.

Harvard researcher Howard Gardner has spoiled us with eight different types of intelligences that we all have in varying degrees. From Logical, Linguistic, Visual/Spatial and Musical/Rhythmic to Bodily-kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalist Intelligence, we’ve all got soooo many areas where we can express our true genius.

IQ wasn't the reason for Michael Jordan's genius--that was his kinesthetic intelligence. IQ wasn't the reason for Mozart's genius--that was his musical intelligence. IQ wasn't the reason for Lincoln's genius--that was his interpersonal and intrapersonal genius.

What do all of these "geniuses" have in common?

Much more than their IQ, they all discovered and developed their specific intelligences. They focused on what they were great at (aka their genius) and played (worked?) extremely hard to reach their potential.

Another thing they all have in common: You couldn't pay them enough to not do what they do.

When you feel that strongly about what you're doing, that's a pretty good sign you're on your way to experiencing your genius.

So what’s your genius?

What is my calling, my genius, my strong points, my interests, my mission, my goals. Oh I have gone over this again and again and devised many mind maps and charts to help deduce the answer. But I never could find one thing or even a couple that I wanted to focus on for the rest of my life. Thus I was a Wireman, a Draftsman, a Time Study Engineer, a Process Control Engineer, a Programmer Analyst, a Material and Process Specialist, a Reporter, a Graphic Artist, a Technical Writer, a Desktop Publishing Specialist, a Watercolor Portrait Artist, a Creative Non-fiction Writer, A World Citizen, A Self-Actualizer, A Newsletter Editor/Writer… I envy those who know they are good at one thing but I seem to need to float about and sample the flowers as I go.