SUPER BRAIN POWER.

MOST PEOPLE WHOM WE CONSIDER GENIUSES, PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THEIR MARK IN THE world, people such as Barbara Walters, Sam Walton, and Bill Gates, are generally individuals who, by some lucky accident, have succeeded in drawing on a second of the six intelligences or, in rare cases, a third. The rest of us plug along using one-sixth, or more likely one-tenth, of our total brainpower.

Previously, science saw "intelligence" as the part of the mind that engages in conscious thinking and problem solving--a single, monolithic mental phenomenon. The accepted view, in short, was that there was only one kind of intelligence and that, according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, was the "ability to form concepts, solve problems, obtain information, reason, and perform other intellectual operations."

As a result, most scientific research, the educational system, and efforts to raise intelligence focused on conscious, logical thinking. The other five intelligences remained unknown, unexplored, and, for the most part, undeveloped. Those of us who, due to some factor in our background or heredity, found it easy to use our logical intelligence thrived under this system and were singled out as "most likely to succeed." This led to the misconception that only a small number of us are smart, and the rest of us are doomed to tag along mentally behind.

Now we know there are more intelligences than one. It's important to emphasize that what we are talking about here is not different "components" of intelligence. They are six distinct, separate brain systems that evolved, and function, in separate convolutions of our gray matter.

The theory of "multiple" intelligences is so new that experts still argue over the precise number. However, all agree that the six [categories] that follow play key roles in our daily lives and key roles in determining our success or failure. You no longer have to limit yourself to a mere sixth of your mental wattage. In addition, rather than futilely attempting to apply one kind of intelligence to all six domains, you can apply the appropriate intelligence (or combination of intelligences) to whatever difficulties you encounter.

VERBAL INTELLIGENCE 

Your verbal intelligence, also known as "word smarts" and "linguistic intelligence," is the brain system responsible for everything to do with words. It enables you to remember them, understand them, think them, speak them, read them, and write them.

Typically, we draw on less than 25% of our verbal intelligence. Even those who employ their word smarts constantly, such as writers and news commentators, rarely draw on more than 50% of their verbal IQ.

Because they think in words, those who are strong in word smarts were the teacher's pet in English and creative writing and learn most quickly through lectures and books.

Notables: Maya Angelou, Robin Williams, Isaac Asimov, Geraldo Rivera, Johnnie Cochran Jr.

Power Professions: Journalist, stand-up comedian, politician, attorney, teacher, talk show host

Action Exercises: Increase your verbal IQ by reading, listening to audio books, playing word games, and writing in a journal.

VISUAL INTELLIGENCE

Visual intelligence, also known as "picture smarts," is the brain system responsible for processing and storing all visual images, real and "imaginary." Sight is such an all-encompassing aspect of our daily lives that the portion of brain matter allocated to visual intelligence outweighs that of verbal intelligence.

Yet, paradoxically, beyond the act of seeing what is around us, this is one of the most underused intelligences. For we look, but we do not see. Can you describe what the person you rode next to on the subway this morning was wearing? If you were an artist, or someone else who developed his or her picture smarts, you could.

Because they think in images and can picture things vividly in their minds, those with picture smarts received straight As in art and geometry and respond best to information and lessons presented in visual form. They perform at their peak when jobs cry out for visual IQ, such as charts, slides, and video.

Notables: Steven Spielberg, Jane Goodall, Spike Lee, Andy Warhol, Dr. Seuss

Power Professions: Engineer, pilot, surgeon, photographer, architect, movie director

Action Exercises: Increase visual intelligence with eye-teasing pastimes such as jigsaw puzzles, doodling, mazes, movies, gardening, art exhibits, and photography.

LOGICAL INTELLIGENCE

Logical intelligence is also known as "thinking smarts," "the problem-solving intelligence," and "conscious decision making." Our power to reason and think logically is not only what separates us from the beasts, it is also responsible for all human progress.

Every second in life requires a decision or poses a problem. It begins with which side of the bed to get out of, encompasses how to pay for your son's new braces, which of yesterday's unanswered letters to begin with when you settle in at your desk for the morning, [and] the best way to get a promotion.

Because they think in logical connections and numbers, individuals who possess thinking smarts earned top grades in science and math and learn best when they can assemble the information they need in a logical fashion. They become fired with passion for assignments that challenge their problem-solving or organizational know-how. They keep their logical IQ optimized by attending professional workshops on weekends and taking courses toward an advanced degree during vacations.

Notables: Barbara Walters, Carl Sagan, John H. Johnson, Bill Gates, Alan Keyes

Power Professions: Scientist, physician, computer programmer, accountant, financial analyst, administrative assistant

Action Exercises: Watch science, court, and business programs on television and visit museums.

CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Creative intelligence, also known as "idea smarts," "originality," and "inventive intelligence," is behind every new idea and daydream, from how to stop that sudden leak under the sink long enough to get through a dinner party, to how to be on time for that meeting during a citywide taxi strike, to the best way to say "I'm sorry" to a loved one.

Because they experience a constant flow of original thoughts and inspirations, those with idea smarts flourish in classes such as theater, design, and television; [they also] catch fire for jobs that demand inventiveness.

Notables: Thomas Edison, Martha Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett 

Power Professions: Entrepreneur, illustrator, actor, musician, fashion designer, landscaper

Action Exercises: Increase your creative IQ by attending concerts, writing, or painting.

PHYSICAL INTELLIGENCE

Physical intelligence, also known as "body smarts," is the brain complex that oversees every bodily activity, internal and external. If your rational, conscious self tried to keep track of all the stuff going on at home and the office while supervising every step and move you make, it would have a breakdown. Despite the evidence before our eyes, we fall prey to the [misperception] that all body smarts aren't useful unless someone becomes an athlete and performer.

Because they think with their bodies, people with body smarts are noticeably well-coordinated and graceful, excel in physical education, and were probably on one team or another (or had musical talent and played in the school band). They typically throw themselves wholeheartedly into any effort that can engage their physical intelligence.

Notables: Eddie Murphy, Colin Powell, Martina Navratilova, "Dr. Ruth" Westheimer, Babe Ruth, Fred Astaire

Power Professions: "Slapstick" comedian, jeweler, ballplayer, dancer, sculptor, carpenter, gardener

Action Exercises: Increase your physical IQ with activities such as racquetball and backpacking.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional intelligence, also known as "feeling smarts," encompasses the entire emotional realm. Personal life is about nothing if not emotion, from our own enjoyment of a winter landscape, the love of others for us, or the anger of strained communications. But they are an often overlooked factor in business. Motivation, after all, is an emotional charge that gets us up out of our chair eager to get something done.

Because they do their best thinking and problem solving in terms of feelings, those with feeling smarts were popular in school and belonged to the student council, debating team, or dramatic society. [They] are best motivated by assignments that require them to interact heavily with others [and] learn the quickest from coaches and mentors.

Notables: Jesse Jackson Sr., Steven Covey, Mary Kay Ash, Barney Frank, Lisa Ling, Les Brown.

Power Professions: Consultant, clergy, social worker, receptionist, mediator, public relations professional.

Action Exercises: Increase you emotional IQ with group games, social gatherings, through mentoring, and by attending community events.

From Super Brain Power: 6 Keys to Unlocking Your Hidden Genius by Jean Marie Stine (Prentice Hall Press, $14), Copyright [C] 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Prentice Hall Press.