Rajeev Verma Published on 10-Feb.2025
In a world that often equates intelligence with success, it’s counterintuitive to think that those with lower IQs could be out-earning their more intelligent peers by a factor of ten. Yet, this phenomenon is not only common but also deeply rooted in psychology, decision-making, and risk tolerance. The reality is that intelligence, while valuable, often comes with a side effect: self-doubt. Meanwhile, those who are less prone to overanalyzing and second-guessing themselves often take bold actions that lead to financial success.
The Curse of Intelligence: Overthinking and Self-Doubt
Highly intelligent individuals tend to possess strong analytical abilities, which enable them to see multiple angles of a situation. However, this same ability can also lead to:
1. Paralysis by Analysis – Overthinking every decision can prevent action. While one person is evaluating risks, another has already jumped in and seized an opportunity.
2. Perfectionism – Intelligent individuals often demand excellence from themselves, which leads to delays, hesitations, and even inaction.
3. Imposter Syndrome – A highly intelligent person is more aware of what they don’t know, making them more likely to feel inadequate, even when they are capable.
4. Aversion to Failure – The fear of making a mistake can keep intelligent individuals stuck in preparation mode, whereas those with less self-doubt jump in without hesitation.
The Advantage of Ignorance: Confidence and Action
On the other hand, people with lower IQs—or rather, those who do not overanalyze—often exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Unwavering Confidence – They believe in their ideas without getting caught in a loop of self-doubt, which makes them more persuasive and attractive to opportunities.
2. Action-Oriented Approach – Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, they take imperfect action, which leads to real-world results.
3. Higher Risk Tolerance – Without obsessing over every potential downside, they take risks that often lead to high rewards.
4. Simplified Thinking – They break problems into straightforward solutions and focus on execution rather than theory.
Case Studies:
- Success Without Genius
Throughout history, some of the wealthiest and most successful individuals have not necessarily been the most intelligent in an academic sense.
Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Group) – A dyslexic school dropout who built a global empire by taking action and seizing opportunities without overthinking.
Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX) – While highly intelligent, Musk has often emphasized “bias for action” over perfection, which has led to his ability to dominate multiple industries.
Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) – Dropped out of Harvard and moved forward with his idea despite not knowing every detail.
Meanwhile, there are thousands of highly intelligent individuals working for these billionaires, second-guessing their own potential instead of building something for themselves.
How to Overcome the Intelligence Trap
If you’re someone who tends to overthink, there are ways to break free from analysis paralysis and self-doubt:
1. Adopt a “Fail Fast” Mentality – Understand that failure is part of success. The faster you fail, the faster you learn.
2. Limit Information Overload – Set a deadline for decision-making to prevent endless analysis.
3. Take Small Risks Regularly – Start with calculated risks to build your confidence in decision-making.
4. Trust Your Instincts More – Sometimes, gut feelings are just as valuable as logical analysis.
5. Embrace Imperfection – Perfection is often the enemy of progress. Taking imperfect action is better than taking no action at all.
Final Thoughts
While intelligence is a gift, it can also be a curse when it leads to self-doubt and inaction. The people making ten times more than you may not necessarily be smarter, but they are likely taking more risks, acting with confidence, and avoiding the trap of overthinking. If intelligence alone led to wealth, then the smartest people would always be the richest—but as we see in reality, that’s far from the truth.The key takeaway? Don’t let your intelligence become an obstacle. Smart people don’t always win—the bold ones do.
RAJEEV VERMA 