How to become a genius (if you are not born one)

We all dream of being a genius, because intelligence can greatly boost your ability to achieve great things. Some believe that geniuses are born, and that we cannot become geniuses through our efforts. However, I believe that geniuses are made, and that the idea of a genius is not simply intellectual superiority.

Now, I don't usually post contents that other people have written, but I will make an exception for the great article on how to be a genius by Jim Westergren.

Here it is:

1. Consider yourself being a genius and act like one in every moment of your life and you will very soon feel that you are one.

2. Work out your time in such a way that every hour is properly utilized and put aside as much time as possible on becoming better.

3. Established a good skill on recognizing which data are valuable and vital.

4. Learn something new and valuable each day.

5. In anything you read or observe make sure you understand it.

6. Clear up the words you don’t understand and ask or look up to understand observations which were not understood.

7. Never pass by something you don’t understand.

8. Carefully choose a profession in which you earn your money for living and at the same time enables you to enhance your skill and abilities.

9. Read a lot and carefully select which literature to read in which to gain the most valuable and vital data.

10. Evaluate, look and make conclusions on anything you read and observe.

11. Expect much more of yourself than what is expected from others.

12. Help people around you to the best of your ability and establish friends who can support you if needed.

13. Be very self-confident and certain but on the same time be open to listen, look and reevaluate to make new conclusions.

14. Know that no matter how good or skilled you are you can always become better and never cease to become more skillful in anything you do.

15. The true genius knows that it is not enough for himself having reached sky high levels – he has to take the rest of mankind with him up and has dedicated his life in making it happen.

I strongly agree with these points, and most of them I have been following myself. If you stand by these principles I can guarantee that you will enjoy a new level of wisdom and control.

Leave me a question if you have one. Remember to follow the blog to get new posts as they come.

6 tips to making a great impression

This is a post I've written a while ago on a different blog. These are very basic principles, and if you master these, you will be able to make a good impression where ever you go. Some points are originally found in Dale Carnegie's book "How to win friends and influence people", which is a great read by the way.

1. To make people like you, you must first show that you like them
The key to getting anyone to like you is to show that you like them. Smile is the easiest and most important thing you can do to show this. Become genuinely interested in people and care about what they say will also do you good. If you are really committed, you can work on this through a deeper level: generosity.

2. First impression - be clean and tidy, don't dress like a slob
It is true. People do judge based on looks. You do too, it is human nature to want to avoid something that is visually unappealing. This is not to say that you have to look like a model to get people to like you, but you have to look clean, smell good, and wear clothes that is the right size.

3. Remember people's names and use it often 
Dale Carnegie said "remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language." It shows respect and it makes them feel good. "The steel king" Andrew Carnegie once settled a huge merger just by using his competitor's name to call the new company. President Roosevelt can remember the name of every single person he met. If they do it, why not you? The next time you meet someone new, don't forget to get his/her name!

4. Have a positive attitude to life 
A positive attitude attracts people to you. This is because no one wants to be around someone who is negative and who complains all the time. If you can direct your mind to positive things, it will also be easier to fulfil the last two points. When people think of you, what comes to mind? Cheerfulness or negativity? What they associate with you will determine their impression of you.

5. Have a sense of humour 
Humour adds colour to life and it's a great addition to a great impression. People will love you if you can make them laugh, without making fun of or sacrificing anyone's reputation. Also, laugh at yourself once in a while if the situation calls. Getting mad over a small joke about you will make you appear small, not to mention the possibilities of others believing that the joke is true.

6. Don't criticise 
If you want people to hate you for ten years and more...give them a mean criticism. Everyone is entitled to their own oppinion, and flat out rejecting it is just like saying to that person, "you are stupid." Hold your words and stand in that person's shoes for a moment..who knows, you might learn something.


Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. :)

5 ways to finding AMAZING extracurricular activities opportunities

Let's face it. Academics is not everything now. Whether it's getting into the university of your dreams or getting that perfect job, you need to have impressive experiences to talk about. When I decided to apply to Harvard, I've talked to lots of people about what kind of extracurricular activities they did. And boy did I get some unbelievable responses! Here are 5 ways that you can have impressive activities to talk (brag) about.

Find yourself some mentors and start something of your own


Some of the most impressive things are started by young people. Lots of young people have started successful non-profit organizations, businesses, campaigns, and projects. Just look at Craig Kielburger who began his activist campaigns at 12 years of age (you can find his story online, I won't go into details here). I've known lots of people who have started impressive projects because they used their imagination, compassion, and the power of being young.

Start small and work your way up


I've met many people who've worked at the UN, NATO, and other prestigious organizations. All of them share one common trait: they started at somewhere smaller. The story-line usually goes something like this: they would first volunteer at local organizations, add value in their work, come across opportunities, then move up. Being out there in the community and showing that you can do good work will open doors for you.

Take initiative


When you see an opportunity, it's absolutely critical that you take the initiative and step up to the plate. If you don't, you'll always be at "somewhere small". If you want to work your way up, you have to put yourself out there. Never be afraid to ask for what you want. Be confident, take the initiative and ask for those opportunities. This was how I quickly built up my resume from nothing. When others need a leader, I always step up no matter how nervous I am or how little experience I have; you'll be surprised how easy it is to be doing incredible things once you step up and say - "I'll do it". Throwing yourself into the deep end may be dangerous, and you may very well fail, but it is the quickest way to learn how to swim.

Talk to people 


There may be 100 opportunities out there that's perfect for you. No one can know them all. But everyone can know at least one of them. Go out there and meet people. Go to conferences and events for your area of interest and talk to people about what they've done. You can build great relationships this way and you'll find some great opportunities. There are doors out there, but they'll only open for people who are seeking them.

And last of all, do what interests you.

Passion is the most powerful and influential force in the universe. Without passion, you cannot convince anyone that you can do the amazing extracurricular activities that you are going to do (now that you've read this post)!


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The No.1 Secret to creating real friendships

Making friends is not easy. Sure, there are tricks you can use to make people like you or make you more "popular". But this is not what this website is about. Tricks and quick fixes don't work for the long term, and they don't work for what really matters - creating real, lasting friendships.

First of all, what is the essence to friendship? I believe that friends are simply people you can depend on when the time comes, people who will take you call in your times of need, people who will support you and believe in you and defend you. This is the heart of friendship, everything else comes with it.

So, the number one secret to creating real friendships is then just this: Be someone that others can depend on. Help others. Help them when they ask and help them when they are too afraid to ask. 

Why does this work? Without sounding too cheesy..doing this will make you a better person. You'll be more aware of people's needs and wants when you consciously try to provide value for people. You'll also be able to combat the number one trait that drives people away: selfishness. You'll learn to value other people's situations and realize that their problems are just as real as your own. Having such an attractive personality will in itself attract people to you, which is the foundation of real friendships.

Having the habit of helping others will bring others to you. When people need help or advice, they will come to you. People will always want to be in touch with you because you are someone they want to know.

Now, being willing to help is good, but you do not want to be someone that people take advantage of and throw away when they are done with you. So there are a few other things to do in order to create true friendships.

When you help others, make sure they knows it and need it. 
There is nothing wrong with doing good deeds now and then because you are a good person. But if you want to build friendships, you need to be able to create a sense of bliss in others, the bliss that you are in their lives.

Make it two-way
Ask for other people's help! Not only will this make your life easier, it also puts you two on the same level (the level of personal friendship). Every relationship should be a two way process, because this is what makes it grow.

Be social
Don't do a good deed and be done with it. This is the foundation of a good friendship, but you can't avoid being social. Chat with people, invite people to hang out, you know the drill. Don't make this a need-based relationship, and don't forget the fun element in every situation.

Hope this article was an interesting read. Leave me a comment, a question, and subscribe!

The Advantages of being Young

Have you ever thought that you are too young to do something? Have you ever wanted to achieve something but thought that you'll do it when you are older? I know I have. However, here's some thoughts that hopefully will get you pumped to try things that your peers have never dreamt of doing.

As a young person, you do get some slack in the world. People understand that you don't have much experience, and they won't expect perfection out of you. This is why sometimes a 20 year-old can beat a 30 year-old for a job - because the 20 year-old is more impressive. As a result of this lowered expectation, it's much easier for you to be impressive. The surest and simplest way for a young person to impress others is to do things beyond his/her years, do things that others of the same age do not do.

The benefit of being able to impress is vast. I once emailed a top executive of a fortune 500 company, and he was impressed enough to offer me a job based on that one email.

Another advantage of being young is that people are more open to help you.

This summer, I'm planning to go on a trade mission. In order to do so, I must establish partnerships and gain sponsorships in the community. This is something that most people never thought of doing at 19. So when I called a government official to see if he would be open to discuss the opportunities. After I gave the secretary my pitch on what I'm doing, she said.."wait...and you are a university student you said?"

Simple as that, she promised that he will call back and touch base me soon. It was obvious from her tone that she was impressed and wanted to help me out (understanding that as a university student, I indeed need the help). Imagine a 40 year-old calling the secretary and asking for suggestions! She would understandably be more critical in that case.

So, don't ever hold back on something just because you think you are too young. This is the number one secret of successful young adults. They don't ever question if they are ready, if they are old enough...because it's just so much easier!

Go out there and do something.