Intellectual Wellness is the strong desire to learn from challenges and experiences. It encourages ongoing intellectual growth and creative yet stimulating mental activities that provide the foundation to discover, process, and evaluate information. Intellectual wellness can be achieved by using available resources in an effort to expand our knowledge and improve our skills enabling us to make sound decisions.

Characteristics of Intellectual Wellness:
 

Continually learning from the best resources available stimulates our minds and enables us to become capable of analyzing the world around us. We must begin to stretch ourselves to increase our companionship with noteworthy people, books, cultures, and works of art. Only then can we begin to take advantage of the great opportunities that lie ahead of us.

The Need for Intellectual Wellness

Did you know that …

“According to a 2003 study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), "The Skills Gap: Manufacturers Confront Persistent Skills Shortages in an Uncertain Economy," more than 80% of manufacturers reported a "moderate to serious" shortage of qualified applicants; even though more than two million manufacturing layoffs occurred during the recent recession.

 

“And it's just going to get worse. The study also reports that by the year 2020, the deficit of skilled workers in the United States will reach 10 million. Companies need to recruit and train new workers now, so they can become technically proficient and gain some of the older, more experienced workers' knowledge before the baby boomers' mass exodus from the workforce begins.”

Training & Education Mastery: Alltech, Debra Kelly,
Copyright © 2007 Thomas Publishing Company

Bill Gates had this to say about the state our education in America:

"When I compare our high schools to what I see when I'm traveling abroad, I am terrified for our work force of tomorrow," he said.

 

"Only one-third of our students graduate from high school ready for college, work and citizenship," he said. Gates spoke bluntly about the high dropout rates in America compared with those of other developed countries, and the differences between America's high-tech graduate degrees and those in India and China."

Gates "appalled" by high schools,
The Seattle Times, February 27, 2005

“Managers (and all employees) must take responsibility for their own learning. At one time, many companies could promise a new employee lifelong employment and a predictable career path. Today, very few if any companies can make that promise. Even when your company has a formal training department and offers a catalog full of courses for employees, no one knows better than the employee and his or her manager what needs to be learned and how that learning can be applied to the job to make a positive difference in individual, group, and company business results. You must take responsibility for your own career path, whether with your current employer or through a series of employers. And the way to build your career is to keep learning throughout your career.”

Take Responsibility for Your Own Learning,
Copyright ©1998 Daniel R. Tobin

Achieving excellence in Intellectual Wellness

How are you doing with regard to Intellectual Wellness?
Look for evidence that you can:

Like the human body, your intellect needs to be nourished every day. Intellectual well-being involves lifelong learning through both formal education and informal life experiences. The key to improving your intellectual wellness is to develop a mental exercise plan. Begin by evaluating the degree to which you currently challenge yourself to expand your knowledge base. Then create a plan that includes daily, weekly and long range intellectual experiences. Become open to new ideas and the ability to maintain a sense of humor, creativity and curiosity. The benefit is the ability to maintain and use information and create powerful relationships within your personal, family and career development. Having a well-rounded knowledge about a variety of subjects has great impact on the perspective with which we see ourselves, others, and the larger community.

Tips for optimal Intellectual Wellness development:

Sandra Larkin Wellness Strategies brings a customized learning experience to your associates. Because we work on-site, we remove educational barriers by providing a fun, interactive, strong experience without the hassle of travel and extensive time away from the office.