Intellectual wellness refers to personal growth and contribution. Salvador Dali has said that “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings”. So being intelligent alone is not great. We need to utilise our skills and knowledge for an ambition, for an impact. We should contribute to the wider community.
Anthony Robbins has included growth and contribution in his six psychological human needs. According to him growth means “an expansion of capacity, capability or understanding”. And further on he has defined contribution as “a sense of service and focus on helping, giving and supporting others”.
Maslow in his turn defined self-actualisation as “a desire to become the most that one can be”. And he has placed self-actualisation on top of the hierarchy of human needs. Should you want to look at the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs closer the Thought Company summarises them nicely here.
Scoring Well Here?
Brilliant women, I know you hold intellectual wellness close to your heart and might be scoring well here. And as ambitious, responsible, often altruistic women you have chosen a path to serve others. You are indeed making a contribution as a daughter, as a sister, as a mom, as a wife, as a professional and as a leader both in your family, at your work-place and in the community at large.
You might also have a position that gives you opportunities to learn and empower others. Maybe you have enrolled for further studies, even PhD. This is something to celebrate! Because you are nurturing your intellectual wellness
Not Great at All?
It is also possible that you are not happy with your personal growth and contribution at its current state. If that is is the case, it is time to take a moment for reflection.
Below are few possible, common scenarios that may be holding you back:
- Lacking time and energy to learn new things.
- Feeling stuck or bored in your current occupation.
- Something is suffocating your growth and contribution.
- Scoring well in growth but low in contribution…
If the above scenarios resonate, look into following questions. They may help you to change this trajectory:
- Are you operating under long-term or intensive stress?
- Have you been working in the same position too long?
- What is suffocating your intelligence?
- Do you perhaps suffer from impostor syndrome or procrastination?
How to Reach Your Full Potential?
Wellness is a complex and an interlinked concept. But in essence wellness is about meeting your needs so that you may reach your full potential.
I believe that many of you are already living with purpose, making an impact, leaving a legacy!
In order to continue contributing to wider community, you need to look after your own wellness too. When you take first class care of yourself, you may truly serve and empower others.
Pauliina Mapatha has twenty years of experience in both the government and non-profit sectors and is a certified life coach. She established her own consultancy company in 2006 and has found her passion for supporting individuals and organisations with change, transformation and wellness.
To contact coach Pauliina click here.
