8 things to do in your 20s to be more intelligent and eloquent - by Dirk Hooper

Illustration by Dirk Hoooper

You don't have to be intelligent to be eloquent, and you don't have to eloquent to be intelligent. But when those two attributes intersect it creates a powerful combination.

Great leaders in every field possess those two attributes. Steve Jobs was obviously brilliant, but his ability to captivate us and clearly explain his vision is what made him so unique.

President John F. Kennedy was a visionary and incredibly wise, but you only have to watch one of his press conferences to see how good he was in front of a camera.

No matter what your pursuits entail, being both intelligent and eloquent will help you rise above others and get things done.

Here is some simple advice to grow in intelligence and eloquence.

If You Want to be More Intelligent

Listen

If you listen more than you talk, you're going to be picking up things that other people miss. Another bonus is that when you speak, your words will have more weight.

Be Curious

Ever since I started hosting a podcast I've been "interviewing" everyone I meet. I've been amazed at the quality of information people will give, if you just ask. You'll also be a more engaging conversationalist.

Be Open-Minded

The moment you close your mind to a subject is the moment you stop learning. You should be exploring all possible sides of an argument. Even if you don't believe the opposite side, what you learn will strengthen your beliefs.

Read

Read every book you can get in your hands. Read a newspaper (all of it). Read comics. Read magazines. Read instruction manuals. Read. Read. Read.

I've learned ten times more being a voracious reader than I ever learned in school.

Reading will give you information, insight, wisdom and creativity. Look at all the successful people around you, most of them are avid readers and the rest are just lucky.

If You Want to be More Eloquent

Start A Podcast

Podcasting forces you to frame your thoughts and express them in a succinct and clear way.

I can promise you that it will be difficult when you start, but it's going to be easier the more episodes you do.

Podcasting will also give you a tangible way to review the way you speak. Do you speak to fast? Do you say "uhmmm..." or "like" too many times? Do you speak too softly? All of these things will be apparent when you listen to what you record.

The next episode will give you an opportunity to improve what you discover.

Give A Speech

I hated when they forced me to give a presentation in college, but it worked wonders for my ability to be organized and present information.

There's always an opportunity to speak in public if you're looking for it. Join Toastmasters, they have a whole program and a sympathetic audience.

You can rent space at the local library or find a local business that would benefit from your expertise. Your speech or presentation will improve the more you do it, and you'll be building up your reputation in the process.

Slow Down and Relax

If you're nervous while speaking you'll be harder to follow. Think before you speak; it's okay to take a moment to compose your thoughts.

Use Your Intelligence

Listening, being curious, keeping an open mind and reading will automatically make you more eloquent.

...

All images are copyright 2018 by Dirk Hooper.

If you enjoyed this article, please give me a comment, an upvote, or a resteem! I'll share more of what you love the most.

Follow me: @DirkHooper