There are ways to deepen your thinking abilities.It takes time and practice to become a better thinker, but you can hone it all your life.Being a better thinker and keeping your mind sharp can help with your mental and physical health.
Step 1: Understand the different kinds of thinking.
There is no right way to think about things.Some of the ways of thinking are more effective than others.Learning different types of thinking will help you understand your own thinking processes as well as those of others.Learning conceptual thinking is one of the two common types of thinking.Learning to find patterns and connections between abstract ideas will help you form a whole picture.Conceptual thinking can be used during a chess game.If you look at the board and think "this configuration of pieces looks familiar", you can use that to move your pieces based on how you see the pattern playing out.Think logically.You should only operate on gut instinct, that's what this means.Gut instinct tells you that your brain is processing more than you realize.Your brain was picking up on certain signals that you might not have been aware of, for example, deciding you don't want to date a seemingly nice guy because your gut warns you off, and finding out later that he's a convicted sex offender.
Step 2: There are 5 thinking styles.
The Art of Thinking postulates 5 thinking styles: synthesists, idealists, pragmatists and analysts.It is possible to use your own thinking patterns if you know where you fall and what styles you use.A variety of styles can help you use your thinking more effectively.Synthesists like to play devil's advocate and tend to ask "what if" type questions.They use that conflict to fuel their own creativity and can often do better seeing the whole picture.The idealist looks at the whole picture rather than just one component.They prefer to think and plan for the future because they are more interested in people and feelings.Pundits prefer to do whatever works.They do well with quick thinking and short term planning.Sometimes they do things on the fly without a plan.Analysts try to break down problems into their components, rather than dealing with them as a whole.They use a lot of detail to keep their lives and problems orderly.Realists are not easy to understand.They tend to do whatever is necessary to solve a problem.They can solve the problem with the tools they have.They are more aware of their limitations.Most people have a measure of realist in them.
Step 3: Divergence thinking is better than convergent thinking
When you only see two choices, it's called convergent thinking.People are either good or bad.It means opening your mind in all directions.People can encompass both good and bad.When you encounter people or a situation, pay attention to how you frame the situation.Are you only giving yourself limited options?Does he hate you if he doesn't make time to spend with you and you only spend time with him when he's around?Do you use the phrase "this that"?Are these really my only options when you notice yourself thinking that way?They are usually not.It isn't always bad to have convergent thinking.It's useful for things like math where there is an obvious right answer, but it can be very limiting when used on your life.
Step 4: You should build up your critical thinking skills.
Critical thinking is when you objectively analyze a situation by gathering lots of information from different sources.You evaluate the situation based on the information you have gathered.Not taking things based on assumptions, not assuming that someone knows what they are talking about, and investigating things for yourself are some of the things this means.You will need to understand what biases and perspectives other people have as well as your own.The assumptions you make will have to be challenged.
Step 5: Do not follow assumptions.
You have to challenge the assumptions you make to be a more effective thinker.Your cultural and social surroundings will affect your thinking.You will have to determine if this thinking is useful or productive.Consider more than one point of view.If you hear something that sounds good, look for it elsewhere.Look for facts that are in agreement with what other people have to say.When you hear that bras can give women cancer, it sounds like an interesting theory, so you start to look into it.If you hadn't considered multiple points of view, you would not have found the truth if you waded through the claims.
Step 6: You should develop curiosity.
People who are considered great thinkers have cultivated their curiosity.They look for answers to questions about the world and themselves.Ask people about themselves.When you meet someone, ask them questions about themselves, you don't have to be super intrusive.What did you study in school?Why did you study that?And so on.You will find a lot of interesting things if you talk about yourself.Ask questions about the world in general.Look into the mechanics of flying, air currents, and the history of the plane if you're flying on a plane.Museums often have free days at least once a month, as well as library events and lectures, when you get a chance.You can satisfy your curiosity without spending a lot of money.
Step 7: The truth is sought.
The difficult part about this step is that there isn't always an ultimate truth.The best you can do is to get to the heart of the matter.It will help you improve your thinking skills.If you want to find out what the true facts are on certain issues, do your best to pick your way through rhetorical landmines.If you don't keep an open mind as you're doing this, you will ignore all the facts except those that support the claim you believe or agree with.The issue of climate change has become politicized which makes it difficult for people to pick through the actual facts.Climate change is happening and it is due to humans, because there is so much misinformation and finger pointing that the real facts have a tendency to get ignored or subverted.
Step 8: There are creative solutions to find.
It's a good idea to use your creative thinking to come up with strategies to deal with unusual events.It's a way to practice using your thinking skills.In terms of thinking, problem-solving and making things happen, daydreaming is an incredibly powerful tool.To allow yourself to daydream, set aside a little time each day.Before you go to bed is a good time for this, just find a quiet place and let your mind wander.If you're having difficulty with a problem and are looking for a creative way of overcoming it, there are a couple questions to ask yourself, one of which is what you would do if you had access to any resources in the world.You can open up your mind to possibilities if you ask the right questions.
Step 9: Acquire information.
You want to know how to get good information.Some of the nonsense can seem real.There is a difference between good and bad sources of information.The library is a great place to find information.Not only do they have books and movies that you can borrow, they also offer free classes and workshops.They have librarians who can answer your questions.If you want to learn more about where you live, libraries have archives with pictures and newspapers from your hometown.There are places on the internet that can provide information.You can get good computational and scientific knowledge from Wolfram, you can look at manuscripts from medieval times to later artists' notebooks, or you could try out some free learning on the Open University website.Remember that you should always be skeptical about anything you read, watch, or listen to.Keeping an open mind and sticking to the facts will help you more than natural intelligence.
Step 10: Language can be used to change your thinking.
The way you think can be influenced by language.People who grow up in cultures that use the north, south, east, west are able to locate the cardinal points with the aid of a compass.You should learn at least one other language.Scientists found that people who speak more than one language see the world in different ways.You will be introduced to new methods of thinking if you learn a new language.
Step 11: It's important to learn widely.
Learning isn't just about going to school.Learning can include a wide variety of things.You are exposed to new ways of thinking when you are always learning.Don't use and appeal to authority.If they seem to know what they are talking about, don't rely on other people's opinions.Look at alternate viewpoints.If you see holes in their arguments, look into them.Don't stop looking into something just because of an authority figure.It is more likely that it is true if a variety of independent sources are making the same argument or claim.It's a good idea to be skeptical about what you uncover.It's best to look for independent sources if you want to find information that is substantiated by more than one source.Do the people making the claims have a stake in propagating misinformation or do they have no idea what they're talking about?If you want to get outside your comfort zone, try new things.It will be easier to look at opinions and ideas that don't conform to your beliefs if you do this a lot.It will give you new ideas that you wouldn't have thought of before.Try out a cooking class, knit, or get interested in astronomy.
Step 12: Mind building exercises can be used.
There are some things you can do to increase your thinking abilities.Any muscle in your body is capable of thinking.You will be able to think better if you use your brain more.Do math.It is possible to make diseases like Alzheimer's less likely for you by doing math on a regular basis.When you're adding, do it in your head rather than on a calculator, so do a little bit of math each day.Write a poem.This is a great party trick, especially if it's a long poem, and it will improve your memory, which in turn will help your thinking skills.When the time is right, you can memorize some quotes.Taking a different route home from work, listening to new music, watching a documentary, learning a new word, practicing a foreign language, or volunteering are some of the mini-challenges you can engage in regularly.
Step 13: Practice being present.
When it comes to thinking, it's important to remember that it can help clarify our thoughts, but also help take us out of our heads when we need it.The pursuit of knowledge and thinking can be helped by the practice of meditation.While you're taking a walk, you could practice being aware of what's happening around you.If you pay attention to your five senses, you will be able to notice the green of the trees, the sky and the clouds.Don't assign value judgements to these things.Don't pay attention to them.Each day, do at least 15 minutes of meditation.This will allow you to clear your mind and give your brain a rest.You can meditate on the bus, at your desk at work, or at the airport if you find a quiet place to sit when you're just starting out.Focus on your breath as you breathe deeply, all the way into your belly.Don't engage when you find thoughts in your head, just keep breathing and exhale.
Step 14: Your physical and social health should be taken care of.
It's important to stay active in your daily life.It is possible to prevent against memory loss by regularly getting moderately vigorous physical activity and engaging in social activities.Schedule time to socialize and be active.
Step 15: Every day, try to learn something new.
It helps grow your mind if you learn something new.Try to learn something new.This could include anything from brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand to doing a lesson on a free learning site that speaks to your interests.