The world is full of intelligent women who are determined to make their mark.
But did you know that these remarkable women have discovered the key to unlocking their potential and excelling in all areas of life?
Yes, intelligent women live by a set of rules that propel them forward. Through a set of guiding principles, they navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create their own paths to success.
Want to know how they live to get ahead in life?
Then, get ready to uncover 8 rules intelligent women live by and thrive like never before.
1) Stepping out of a comfort zone is a must
We often say that we need to step out of our comfort zones in order to achieve success and live our lives to the fullest. But you know what?
Intelligent women not only understand this concept, but they embody it in their actions.
They are not content with staying stagnant or settling for mediocrity. Instead, they embrace the discomfort that comes with growth and willingly push themselves beyond their limits.
Intelligent women take calculated risks and explore the role of risk-taking in success. Yes, they know risk-taking is not about blindly jumping into the unknown, but rather a strategic approach to maximizing their chances of success.
For this purpose, they evaluate the potential rewards and weigh them against the potential risks, making informed decisions that propel them forward.
That’s exactly what allows them to challenge themselves, acquire new skills, and gain invaluable experiences.
2) Failure is a stepping stone to success
Speaking of taking risks and stepping outside our comfort zones, it’s no surprise that intelligent women understand the profound truth that failure is a stepping stone to success.
They view failure not as a setback or a reflection of their abilities, but as a valuable opportunity for growth and learning.
Just think about it.
If we never encountered failure, how could we truly appreciate the taste of success? It is through challenges and setbacks that we develop resilience, tenacity, and the determination to overcome obstacles.
Intelligent women recognize that failure is not the end, but a catalyst for growth and self-improvement. So guess what?
Even if they fail to achieve immediate success and face disappointment, intelligent women do not allow it to deter their spirit.
They learn from their experiences, make necessary adjustments, and bravely face new challenges to get one step closer to their desired results.
3) You can say “no” without feeling guilty about it
How many times have you found yourself saying “yes” to things you didn’t truly want or have the capacity to take on?
How often have you felt guilty for declining requests or setting boundaries?
Admit it.
Admit it. We have all experienced the pressure to please others, and to avoid disappointing those around us.
Unfortunately, this directly indicates that we fail to practice self-care. At least, that’s one of the potential pitfalls of being a “yes man,” according to the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.
If this sounds familiar, here’s a liberating truth that intelligent women live by: you can say “no” without feeling guilty about it.
They have learned that their time and energy are precious resources that should be allocated wisely.
Intelligent women recognize that saying “yes” to everything ultimately diminishes their ability to fully invest in what truly matters to them. The result?
They can easily set boundaries and prioritize their own well-being whenever they feel somebody’s request does not align with their values, goals, or capacity.
I believe we should all start working on mastering the same.
4) You don’t need to meet others’ expectations
Want to know what’s the main reason why we have trouble saying “no”?
It often stems from a deep-rooted desire to meet others’ expectations.
We fear disappointing those around us, seeking their approval and validation at the expense of our own happiness and well-being.
But here’s a powerful truth that intelligent women live by: you don’t need to meet others’ expectations.
Intelligent women understand that their worth is not defined by the opinions or expectations of others. They prioritize their own values, dreams, and aspirations above seeking external validation.
And believe me, that’s the only possible way to live life on your own terms and pursue what truly resonates with you.
In simple terms, intelligent women free themselves from the constraints of societal norms and external pressures.
The result is their natural ability to think for themselves.
5) Make decisions with a balanced blend of heart and mind
Most of us struggle to balance the rationality of the mind with the emotions of the heart when it comes to decision-making.
We find ourselves torn between logical reasoning and following our heartfelt desires.
However, intelligent women have learned a valuable lesson – they make decisions with a balanced blend of heart and mind.
Instead of relying solely on cold logic or succumbing to impulsive emotions, intelligent women understand the importance of integrating both aspects.
They accept the fact that decisions made purely with the mind may lack passion and fulfillment, while decisions made solely from the heart neglect practical considerations.
So guess what?
When faced with choices, intelligent women never forget to listen to their intuition, trust their instincts, and consider the emotional impact.
But what makes their actions unique is that they also engage their logical thinking, evaluate facts, and analyze potential outcomes.
This harmonious integration is the basic reason they can make well-rounded decisions based on their values.
6) Self-love isn’t selfish, it’s important
I remember how confused I felt when I first read Ayn Rand’s quote about self-love. She provocatively stated that self-love is selfish. But at the same time, her philosophy is entirely based on the quest for personal happiness.
Sounds intriguing, right?
Well, from my perspective, Rand was an intelligent woman. And she knew that true happiness and personal fulfillment cannot be achieved without a healthy sense of self-love.
While I just told you that “self-love isn’t selfish”, according to Rand, it indeed is selfish. But healthy and adaptive selfishness is the only thing that can help us cultivate a positive relationship with ourselves.
So, here’s the thing:
Intelligent women understand that self-love is not about egoism or disregard for others. Instead, it is about nurturing our own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
And while it may be selfish, it’s critically important for prioritizing our own happiness.
7) Don’t lose the balance between independence and interdependence
We’ve all experienced moments of codependency, where our sense of self becomes entangled in the needs and expectations of others. It’s like losing ourselves, sacrificing our own desires for the sake of pleasing everyone else.
Sound familiar?
That’s why a book called “Breaking the Attachment” by Tina Fey caught my attention. I have to admit that I’m not particularly into self-help books. But this one showed me how codependency can take control of our happiness without us even realizing it.
This made me realize one thing:
True fulfillment comes from within.
It’s about nurturing our own sense of self-worth, pursuing our passions, and setting healthy boundaries. When we prioritize our own growth and happiness, we become better equipped to engage in genuine, meaningful relationships.
And that’s exactly how intelligent women live. They know that they don’t have to sacrifice their own dreams and aspirations to please others.
8) It’s okay to set boundaries even with your loved ones
Building upon the importance of finding our own balance between independence and interdependence, there’s a vital rule that intelligent women live by:
It’s okay to set boundaries even with your loved ones.
While relationships bring joy, love, and support into our lives, they can also become a source of emotional and mental strain if boundaries are not established and respected.
This is where the lessons from our previous point on codependency and self-love come into play.
Intelligent women understand that setting boundaries is not an act of selfishness or detachment, but rather an act of self-preservation and self-care.
They recognize that in order to maintain healthy relationships, it’s essential to communicate their needs, expectations, and limits.
So, don’t be afraid to draw those lines, communicate your needs, and establish healthy boundaries with your loved ones.
It’s a powerful act of self-love and self-respect that paves the way for stronger, more harmonious relationships.
Final words
As you can see, these 8 rules, lived and embodied by intelligent women, shape their journeys and propel them forward.
They demonstrate that success is within reach for anyone who dares to think for themselves.
So, if you want to be an intelligent woman who’s not afraid to be who she is, try to embrace the wisdom of intelligent women and apply these rules to your own life.
Remember, you have the power to shape your own destiny and create a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.