Supporting High Ability People!

Who are these high ability people? 

Couple of weeks back, I attended a webinar where I first heard the term - High Ability People. When I came to know who they are and what problem they face, I was quite surprised as I see many around me in everyday life. 

High ability people are the someone who have unrivaled advantage of either sheer intelligence or specific skills and always acts with high intensity. These are in a way gifted by birth and the usually shoulder the significant impact in breakthroughs. In many ways, they play a big role in setting direction for the world. The world is at where it is (both + and -) now where it is because of them. 

Albeit a tiny percentage of them make a great success in their life and become a top notch leaders in their industry, many such talents are ruined without proper support. I always wondered why the educated, affluent and able people suffer as much as those not have those fortunes. It is quite to rub off this issue as "first-world" problem and not a critical one to solve. In fact, these people exist forever through the world. 

This blog attempts to bring visibility to the common problems highly abled people face and how best as a fellow student, neighbor, friend and colleague we can support them so that they continue to focus on their strength to uplift the world. 

The Cognitive Trap

Due to their well developed mind, the high-achievers are able to process ambiguous, complex problems and understand them in greater depth quickly. Due to this increased awareness, they tend to develop heightened sensitivity towards the issues happening around them. They assume the responsibility and self pressured to use their strengths to solve these problems. They get carried away and feel th weight of the world. However, many of such complex problems lack easily solutions and need intricate navigations with the society. As the realize, they are not in control of everything, they seclude themselves and develop pessimistic approach which in turn kicks in self inflicting thoughts. Overall, this cognitive trap of all or nothing attitude and inability to believe in incremental growth prevents them to reach their true potential. 

How can we support them? 

Recognizing the problem and understanding even larger than life figures need supporting hands at times can bring light of hope in many lives around us. This is especially critical in students as early formative years can set a long lasting direction in their life. 

The support guidance can be broadly classified into following 6 categories. All of them are critical steps to achieve a holistic well being. 

Self Awareness 

Let's make them aware that we do not live in a perfect world and the issues exist forever throughout the world. They do not need to identify with all of the issues. Let them understand are so many things outside of everyone's control. 

Self Regulation 

Once they become aware of their position, try to modify the self inflicting guilty thoughts. De-identifying with the issues can reduce the intensity of their emotions towards it. Then we will be able to look at the practicality and see what we can purposely do towards the solution. Develop growth mindset and believe in incremental improvements. Resist the do all or nothing attitude and don't fall prey to cognitive traps. Try to 

Mental Agility 

Sometimes guilt of not able to change the world, they want can burden them with anger, frustration and annoyance. There is no health without mental health. We need to make sure they get ample nutritions. Additional wellness activities like relaxation, breathing exercises, mindfulness, yoga also can help a lot to help them able to focus on what is in their control. 

Strength of Character 

Help them embrace the strengths of understanding these complex problems and not feel burdened by their perception but appreciate the knowledge as that can make them one step closer to the solution compared to others. As supporters, we need to validate them who they are (genuine authentic self) but no what they do. We can help make a realistic appraisal of their relative strengths. It is okay not to be perfect and many of the hard problems cannot be solved overnight. 

Connection 

They may not be social as they lack opportunity to interact with intellectual peers. The common neighbors or friends might not have such a depth of perception to be able to interact them with equally in many occasions. We can help them find a social interest, possibly volunteering so that they can find a  meaning with social good. It can also help them to develop their interpersonal skills. These attempts can strengthen their social and family connections. 

Optimism

Help them develop macro understanding. Let them not feel obligated or pressured to use their strengths to make world better on their own. Let them not feel the weight of the world. Encourage them to take "not knowing" stance as needed.  It is absolutely okay not to know everything and we just need to be curious to know and things will happen! 

Let's help! 

Seeking support when you need it is excellent first step of building resilience. Lets recognize, celebrate support and enable highly-abled to do best in what they are capable of! The future world will owe immense gratitude to your help!