99+ Habits That Make You Smarter & a FREE Printable List

Some people are so smart – it’s like they were born with a computer in their head! But most of us have to learn and figure out things on our own.

Being smart is not an easy skill to master, but it’s something that you can benefit from in your whole life. And while it doesn’t happen overnight, there are certain habits you can develop to become a smarter person day by day.

Here’s a list of 99 habits that can help you to:

• feed your brain;
• make smarter decisions;
• increase your knowledge;
• be more informed.

99 Habits That Make You a Smarter Person

1. Read books daily.
2. Do one self-improvement act as often as you can, want or like.
3. Analyze your mistakes and learn from them.
4. Keep yourself informed about the things that are going on in the world.
5. Read about the politics and your country’s affairs.
6. Always go to vote.
7. Recycle your trash.
8. Create a plan before doing anything (here’s how to set up a planner that fits you)
9. When possible, focus on the positives.
10. Participate in interesting discussions.
11. Continuously look for something new to learn.
12. Learn about food additives and start reading food labels.
13. Keep an updated survival bag.
14. Play chess or other strategic games regularly.
15. Practice thinking outside the box.
16. Hang out with smart people.
17. Practice mindfulness.
18. Meditate daily.
19. Eat healthy & exercise.
20. Try IQ improvement apps on your phone.
21. Practice expressing your opinion without getting offended.
22. Read self-improvement blogs.
23. Regularly do new self-improvement activities.
24. Journal daily! And just a little bit on why this is important… Journaling is one of the best ways to relieve stress and control anxiety + negative thinking (all of these mental states can influence you to make unwise decisions). It’s also one of the best ways to improve your resilience. The problem with journaling is that many people don’t know how to do it. This is why I created a lot of printable mental health journals that show you exactly how to journal, including journal prompts, mental wellness trackers, and other helpful templates. If you want to become a smarter person, I highly recommend the (free!) Thought Workbook. This free printable journal will teach you how to think rationally in any situation, so you don’t have to be stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed when it’s not helpful. It can also help you to notice and get rid of unhelpful thinking patterns that may be limiting you in your life. Finally, this workbook also includes super-helpful problem-solving templates that can help when you’re facing a difficult situation that you don’t know how to deal with. Check it out here
25. Stop caring about what other people think.
26. Don’t involve yourself in dangerous or reckless things.
27. Educate yourself about the topic before making important decisions.
28. Track your finances.
29. Take proper rest every day.
30. Develop a morning routine.
31. Practice listening before you speak.
32. Challenge yourself regularly.
33. Go through online courses to learn new stuff.
34. If you’re failing at something, try to learn and improve before giving up.
35. Think of difficult situations as a way to become stronger.
36. Think of new ways to do old things.
37. Listen to an audiobook on your daily commute (for that, you can get a free 30-day Amazon Audible trial here).
38. Be selective about the things you do, eat, or use.
39. Watch less TV.
40. Practice self-care daily (here’s why it’s important).
41. Try to eat intuitively – listen to your body and give it what it needs the most.
42. Read the news.
43. Practice noticing your emotions and accepting them (they are all valid, even the unpleasant ones).
44. Stop overthinking by getting back to the present moment.
45. Try never to skip breakfast – your brain needs nutrients, especially in the morning.
46. Limit your smartphone use.
47. Look for new hobbies that feed your brain.
48. Read philosophy works – they’re like a superfood for your soul!
49. Follow NASA news, missions, and findings.
50. Watch thoughtful and informative YouTube channels.
51. Soak up knowledge on Quora.
52. Exercise your memory.
53. Be curious about everything, and explore the world around you!
54. Be a bit skeptical, too – it’s wise to look at things with a grain of salt.
55. Always look for ways to work smarter, not harder.
56. Build up your library or become a member of a local one.
57. Read e-books and helpful online magazines.
58. Before doing something new, do a good research.
59. When looking for information, choose sources that are trusted or official.
60. Never compare yourself to others – it’s useless.
61. Learn about human psychology and the latest findings.
62. Accept the fact that some people are bad – and move on with it.
63. Ask for help when you need it.
64. If you can, teach others about the things you already know.
65. Spend more time on things you’re good at.
66. Grab a dictionary daily and learn a new word.
67. Practice your writing skills.
68. Keep a life binder.
69. Always write everything down.
70. If you need to work with a lot of information, systemize it first.
71. Travel and explore new places whenever you can.
72. Memorize the core points of your city map.
73. Memorize important numbers.
74. Create and keep a planner to spend your time well.
75. Educate yourself about the cosmos, the universe, and time theories (this stuff is fascinating).
76. Work on your willpower.
77. Never give up until you have 100% proof that it’s time to stop trying.
78. Don’t be afraid to give or receive constructive criticism.
79. Invest in yourself.
80. Refresh your basic knowledge of biology, math, chemistry, anatomy, or geography.
81. Learn about how other cultures live and implement what’s best in your life.
82. Start saving a little money every month.
83. Go through a first aid course at least once a year (or make sure you always remember how it’s done).
84. Find out where the closest shelters are.
85. Always focus on one thing – multitasking successfully is a myth.
86. Learn new languages.
87. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks while commuting.
88. Think well about the things you’re posting on social media.
89. Trust, but be cautious at the same time.
90. Have a day when you try to live your life without technology.
91. Do something to improve your mental strength daily.
92. Brainstorm new ideas when you feel stuck.
93. Discover and accept yourself completely.
94. Prioritize your health over goals.
95. Always be selective about the things you read or watch.
96. Value and make use of other people’s knowledge.
97. Try to have a few options for everything that’s important.
98. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, look for a solution – it’s much more helpful.
99. Accept the fact that it’s impossible to be 100% smart. 
100. ~ ~ ~ Unlimited space for your future ideas ~ ~ ~

Wow, I feel a little bit smarter just by reading this list… Does that make me smart? Doesn’t matter – let’s just work on our intelligence and make it last! Take one thing from this list and make it a habit. Grab our free Thought Workbook to work on irrational thinking. Sign up for that political newsletter. Make it a goal to learn something new every day. Make your intelligence shine on others. You have all that it takes.

>> Grab This List as a Printable here <<

*Personal use only, folks!

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Amber + Team

Hi! I am author + writer on personal development, beauty, relationships and self-care, sharing insights through this blog since 2018. After years of practicing personal growth, emotional wellness and feminine lifestyle (plus 19 years in a thriving relationship), I share effective and tested advice to help you foster beauty, self-improvement and order in your life. Some articles are written by a small team of beautiful writers I trust.