1.1.1 What does IQ (not) determine?

a) From the therapy room

It Comes in Different Colours

There is the person who excels in math, draws shapes and then tries to create a formula for them.
There is the one who is able to learn German fluently with an unrecognizable accent after spending just one month in a trailer with two Germans.
There is the one who had been thinking he was dumb his whole life because he didn’t get good grades in school. Only after some time did he find out he was bright, that he excels in verbal expression, that he is able to win any debate he will ever encounter.
There is the one who is a great programmer but unable to explain to his girlfriend how he feels.
There is the one who can work better than ChatGPT in translating information from multiple sources into a great strategical concept.
There is the one who was always getting in trouble already in kindergarten because he painted the sky green and drew creatures nobody had ever seen.

Giftedness is variable, it is so colorful, and is very exciting. Yet, many of my clients hate it about themselves.

b) About what IQ does (not) determine

c) Conclusion – what did we learn?

What does my IQ really say about how my brain works?
IQ shows how your brain processes information across different types of thinking. It is not about how much you know but how quickly you recognize patterns, connect ideas, and solve problems. That is why learning can feel fast and exciting, but also why repetition or slow progress can feel frustrating.

Why do I sometimes feel out of sync with others?
Because most systems around you are built for the average mind. Schools, workplaces, and even social rules are made to fit in with how most people think and learn. If your brain moves faster or notices more, it can feel like you are constantly out of rhythm or misunderstood. That does not mean something is wrong with you, it is simply a mismatch. Understanding that friction helps you stop blaming yourself and instead look for environments and challenges that fit you better.

How much of my future is determined by IQ?
IQ gives you range. It means you can choose from a wide variety of things to explore, learn, and improve. It predicts that you can learn faster and apply your strengths across creativity, reasoning, memory, and conceptual thinking. Everything else comes down to practice that turns ability into skill. But IQ does not define who you are or the quality of your life and relationships. That depends on what you care about, how you grow as a person, and if you allow yourself to be yourself instead of being defined by a label or a number.