Ladies and gentlemen, if you clicked on this, chances are you want to become smart. Now, for most of our life, we're being told that we need six years of primary school, four years of high school, and another four years of college to be smart. We're led to believe it's this long, arduous journey locked away in classrooms. But it's actually much easier than that. The path to genuine intelligence, the kind that truly impacts your life, doesn't necessarily require decades of formal education.
And let's be honest, for most people, you want to be smart for three core reasons: to get good grades, maybe while you're still in that formal system; to get filthy rich, building a life of freedom and abundance; and to sound smart so that people can respect you. You want that intellectual edge, that ability to command attention and admiration, but not too smart that you look like a little nerd. You want practical intelligence, respected intelligence. Well, you've come to the right spot. My name is Ujjwal Nova, and I believe unlocking your intellectual potential is simpler than you think. In this article, I'll show you the three simple habits that'll make you a genius.
Habit 1: The Power of Reading Books
The first habit, and arguably the most foundational, is reading books. Now, you can read fiction books if you want to improve your vocabulary or learn how to use big words effectively in conversation. Fiction has its place, broadening horizons and enhancing empathy. But if your goal is practical intelligence – the kind that helps you win in life – I would strongly recommend reading non-fiction books.
Guys, reading non-fiction books is the fastest way to become smart. Think about it: you're literally downloading years, sometimes decades, of someone else's knowledge, experience, failures, and successes in just a couple of hundred pages, consumed over a few hours or days. It’s concentrated wisdom. When you read non-fiction, especially in areas relevant to your goals, you gain insights you can directly apply to your daily life – your work, your relationships, your finances, your health. It's actionable knowledge.
Furthermore, being well-read allows you to just casually drop interesting knowledge when you're talking with friends or colleagues. It elevates your conversations, makes you more engaging, and subtly signals your intelligence and curiosity. It's not about showing off; it's about contributing value and perspective.
Personally, I've been reading consistently for years, making it a core part of my routine. Since I was younger, I aimed for around one book every two weeks, and I still actively seek out and buy books every month. It's almost like an addiction at this point – an addiction to learning and growth. But if you're just getting started, don't feel overwhelmed. I would highly recommend a simple, achievable goal: read one book a month. Just dedicate 10 minutes a day, perhaps before bed, to reading. That small, consistent effort compounds incredibly over time.
What Books Should You Read?
Okay, so non-fiction is key, but where do you start? The options are endless. To get you going, I'm going to give you a list of 12 powerful books across four essential categories that I believe will make you super smart. These are books that have personally impacted me and countless others.
- Psychology & Influence: Understanding human behavior is crucial for navigating the world effectively. You should read The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene to understand the dynamics of influence and strategy. Add How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie for timeless advice on interpersonal skills. And definitely read Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini to grasp the science behind why people say 'yes'. These three books will teach you how to increase your influence, understand motivations, and become powerful in your interactions.
- Biographies & Stories: Learning from the journeys of successful individuals provides invaluable lessons and inspiration. I would highly recommend the biography of Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance to see relentless innovation and ambition in action. Read Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins for an incredible story of mental toughness and overcoming adversity. And explore Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the story of Nike, to understand perseverance and building something from nothing. These books will show you that in order to become successful, you must first innovate, develop resilience, and cultivate the right mindset.
- Thinking & Mindset: How you think determines everything. For this, you should read Mastery by Robert Greene, which lays out the path to achieving high-level skill and fulfillment. Dive into The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin (which I actually have a signed copy of – it’s that good!) to understand the process of creation and accessing your inner artist. And absorb Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio for a framework on decision-making and achieving goals. These three books will expand your mind, refine your thinking processes, and provide you with a more meaningful purpose.
- Philosophy & Productivity: Ancient wisdom and modern techniques can shape a productive and meaningful life. Read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, a cornerstone of Stoicism, which talks a lot about self-control, perspective, and virtue. Explore The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod for a practical guide to starting your day effectively. And check out Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal for strategies on how to be productive without burning out. These books offer profound insights into living well and getting things done.
Guys, all these 12 books are books that I've personally read, and I think they're definitely must-reads if you want to become super smart. Think about it: if you read just one book a month, which is very doable with only 10-15 minutes of reading a day, you can gain all this incredible knowledge in just 12 months. You can absorb insights that took authors lifetimes to accumulate. This simple habit can put you significantly ahead of 99% of people who rarely pick up a non-fiction book after leaving school.
Beyond Just Reading: Active Recall
Also, a crucial point when it comes to reading books: don't just read for the sake of reading, passively letting the words wash over you. Right? You want to truly absorb and integrate the knowledge. To do this, you need to engage actively. Apply that knowledge. Think about how the concepts relate to your own life. Maybe even make practice questions for yourself after finishing a chapter or the book, so you can do active recall. Testing yourself, trying to retrieve the information without looking, is scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to solidify learning. This is how you absorb that knowledge fast and make it stick, turning information into usable intelligence.
Habit 2: Consume High-Quality Content (Podcasts & Videos)
The second habit that will make you a genius is leveraging the vast world of online content: watching podcasts and videos. But hold on, I'm not talking about watching pointless cat videos for hours or mind-numbing podcasts that actually lower your IQ. We're bombarded with low-quality distractions. I'm talking about deliberately choosing content that will help you level up in life.
There's an incredible amount of high-value information available for free online, often featuring world-class experts sharing their knowledge. Some podcasts that I would recommend watching or listening to include:
- The Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast: Dr. Huberman, a neuroscientist, dives deep into health, neuroscience, and optimizing human performance based on scientific research. Essential for understanding your own biology.
- How to Get Rich (without getting lucky) by Naval Ravikant: A podcast version of Naval's famous tweetstorm, offering profound wisdom on wealth creation, happiness, and philosophy.
- The Colin and Samir Podcast: They interview top online creators, dissecting the strategies and stories behind their success in the creator economy.
- The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett: Features raw, insightful interviews with successful entrepreneurs, entertainers, and experts, uncovering the stories behind their success.
- My First Million: Focuses on business ideas, brainstorming, and interviews with entrepreneurs, especially if you want to learn more about startups and spotting opportunities.
Now, just like with reading, the key here is active consumption. You don't want to be just watching or listening to these podcasts passively while multitasking or zoning out. If you do that, chances are you're going to forget almost all of that valuable information within the next hour. To combat this, you want to be actively writing notes as you listen or watch. Capture key insights, interesting ideas, actionable steps. Summarize the main points in your own words. This act of engaging your mind and physically writing things down dramatically increases retention and understanding.
Curated YouTube Consumption
Beyond podcasts, certain YouTubers provide immense value. Of course, tailor this to your interests, but seek out creators focused on growth and knowledge. For example, if you want to build an aesthetic physique alongside your mind, maybe you watch channels focused on science-based fitness (like Jeff Nippard, perhaps, adapting from the script's mention of David Laid). If you want to learn more about deep work, focus, and writing, perhaps you explore channels like those discussing productivity and knowledge management (adapting from the Dan Koe mention). And if you want to become an intellectual powerhouse, a well-rounded individual who combines knowledge with action – well, of course, there are creators out there, perhaps like myself, Ujjwal Nova, dedicated to sharing insights that you should subscribe to and learn from.
The principle remains: be intentional. Choose content that educates and inspires, not just entertains passively. Engage with it actively. Treat your media consumption like a learning opportunity.
Habit 3: Shift from Consumer to Creator
The final thing you want to do to become super smart, and this might be the most powerful habit of all, is to become a creator. I'm talking about creating videos on YouTube, writing blog posts or articles, tweeting your insights, building an online presence, and inspiring people online.
Why is creating so powerful for becoming smarter? Because it forces you to synthesize and articulate what you learn. Guys, whenever I read a book or listen to an insightful podcast nowadays, I get super excited. Why? Because I know that I can potentially share the key lessons with you guys. I know that when I learn something valuable, I can create a video, or write something like this article you're reading right now, to help inspire and motivate others.
This process fundamentally changes how you learn. You're no longer just passively consuming knowledge found in books and podcasts. You start thinking, "How can I explain this clearly? What's the core message? How can I make this useful for someone else?" You have to truly understand a topic to teach it effectively. So, not only should you consume that knowledge, but you should also apply it and, crucially, share it with others. This sharing process – teaching, writing, creating – is one of the best ways to solidify your own understanding and achieve mastery.
Beyond the learning benefits, creating is also a high-income skill in today's world. Building an audience and providing value online can absolutely make you filthy rich, tying back to one of those core motivations we discussed. But perhaps more importantly, it's so incredibly fulfilling. That feeling where you know your content, your insights, your shared knowledge can potentially help millions of people improve their lives... it's just priceless. It gives your learning a deeper purpose.
And along the way, as you create, you inevitably become smarter. You are constantly engaged in self-education to have something valuable to share. You develop accountability to your audience, pushing you to keep learning and growing. You build a platform online which can also change your life in unexpected ways. Personally, seeing my own online presence grow has been an incredible journey, connecting me with amazing people and opportunities – and you can do the same. I'm super grateful for everyone who engages with my work, and our community is growing.
But the point is less about follower counts and more about the act itself. Try to create something from what you consume. Take those insights from books and podcasts, synthesize them, add your perspective, and create something for the world. Give value to other people. By doing so, you'll not only become super smart through the process of teaching and articulation, but you'll also build a fun social circle. You'll meet cool, like-minded people, make new friends, and engage in stimulating conversations sparked by your shared interests and creations.
Conclusion: It's Your Turn to Become Smart
So there you have it – the three simple habits: consistently reading impactful non-fiction books, actively consuming high-quality podcasts and videos, and shifting from just consuming to actively creating and sharing value. It's not about spending decades in formal schooling or having a naturally gifted brain. Becoming smart, the kind of smart that helps you achieve your goals – good grades, wealth, respect – is largely a result of deliberate habits.
By implementing these strategies – reading a book a month, engaging actively with educational content, and finding ways to share what you learn – you can accelerate your intellectual growth far beyond what you might think is possible. You can gain years of knowledge in months, develop a powerful mindset, and build a fulfilling, successful life.
I hope you guys got lots of value from this article. If you want more insights and wisdom on how to win in life, keep seeking out valuable knowledge and applying it. Remember the power lies in consistent action.
As always, God bless, keep up the hustle, we're all going to win if we put in the work, and I hope this helps you on your journey.
