Intrapersonal Intelligence – What is It, Signs and Examples

Several revolutionaries have brought about a major change in the world. Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, James Collony, and Socrates shared one thing. Can you tell me what? I agree that they all had great minds and personalities. But what made them alike is intrapersonal intelligence.

So, what is it, and doesn’t each one have it?

What is Intrapersonal Intelligence?

Often, people confuse intrapersonal intelligence with interpersonal intelligence. Intrapersonal intelligence occurs within the person itself while interpersonal intelligence occurs between two people. As here we talk about intrapersonal intelligence we will keep the focus on that only.

Intrapersonal intelligence is about the capacity to explore the world within. This means understanding your own feelings, thoughts, and emotions, helping a person focus, plan, and manage life.

So this explanation is understandable, but what does this interpersonal intelligence look like?

People with this intelligence have an idea of what they want to achieve and how they can achieve it. Also, when given an intelligence test, they will score higher than an average person.

Howard Gardner, in 1983, defined eight different types of Intelligence and learning styles, including interpersonal intelligence. According to him, intelligence is not a steady phenomenon. Everyone has a different level of Intelligence. A person good with mathematics will understand the world through numbers, whereas a person with intrapersonal multiple intelligence will see the world from a different angle.

Characteristics of Intrapersonal Intelligence

Intrapersonally intelligent people understand themselves, the world within, and their own thoughts before knowing and understanding others. As these people explore what’s within, they start to build intrapersonal intelligence. Sometimes, they are even considered narcissists, but that is not right because narcissism is a personality disorder, whereas intrapersonal intelligence isn’t.

Unlike self-obsessed narcissists, people with intrapersonal intelligence are concerned about the environment,  objects,  and people around them.

So, how does a person with intrapersonal intelligence act? These people always stay motivated, and they motivate others.  What they learn they apply in their daily life. They follow what they preach and are determined to achieve their goals.

Here is a list of some basic characteristics of intrapersonal  intelligent people:

• As they know themselves, they start to know others.
• They enjoy their own company and love doing things on their own.
• They have a very strong intuition.
• As they know what is within, they know their strengths but never boast them.
• They have higher self-confidence and are independent.
• They can control their feelings, especially anger.
• Young people, compared to their peers with intrapersonal intelligence, are often introverted.
• They love processing the events they have experienced.
• They try to understand their mistakes in a negative event so that they can be avoided in the future.
• They express their thoughts and feelings through creative ways like writing or music
• These people look for new life philosophies and keep evolving throughout their lifespan.

Examples of intrapersonal Intelligence

As intrapersonal intelligence about managing one’s own thoughts and processes people with this type of Intelligence use it in creativity problem solving are productive.

When discussing the examples of interpersonal intelligence it is about rational thoughts, emotions, control, discipline, concentration, and introspection. So when you see someone with all the skills, you know the person has intrapersonal intelligence. Also, such people are hard-working. They have a sense of direction and achievement. They know how to achieve their goals but they never try to hurt others.

Why is intrapersonal intelligence important?

Just like any other type of Intelligence, interpersonal intelligence is also another type, but why is it important? It is important because it helps a person evaluate their thoughts and feelings. It gives clarity of mind and therefore setting goals is an easy task.. Moreover, for people with intrapersonal intelligence, managing their emotions and reflecting on them is easy.

They don’t worry if they have nothing they know how to achieve.  They are self-motivated, and the cognitive skills that make a person successful are always present in people with interpersonal intelligence.

Tips to develop interpersonal intelligence

Everything worth learning can be taught in different ways. The diversity of these methods stimulates multiple intelligences – Howard Gardner.

When you see children, do you wonder how they instinctively know what they want to achieve and are willing to do anything to reach it? This is because they possess intrapersonal intelligence.

They learn from their mistakes, constantly work on themselves, and build intelligence. However, as we age, we often lose focus on our goals, leading to a decline in intelligence. But, by prioritizing self-reflection and goal setting, you can enhance your intrapersonal intelligence and find a renewed sense of intrapersonal intelligence and a renewed sense of purpose.

1. Maintain a diary: Keep a diary and see what’s happening from a different perspective. When you keep at it, you understand things and life.
2. Take a break from the life hustle: give yourself some time. When you take short breaks, you can understand what’s happening within you, and taking short breaks will help you analyze what’s happening around you.
3. Consider all types of intelligence: Improve in all areas of intelligence. Don’t just focus on intrapersonal intelligence.
4. Develop social hobbies: The theory applies to knowing inner thoughts, knowing what others feel, and taking things. It is also about taking care of social skills and developing them.

When exploring your intrapersonal intelligence, paying attention to your inner thoughts is important. But don’t be self-obsessed about them. When knowing yourself, it is important to understand others as well as that is what intrapersonal intelligence is all about.

In addition, you can start making a vision board, get help from a practitioner, attend workshops, regulate emotions, and observe the changes within yourself.