5 Ways to Think for Yourself
You can’t think for yourself when you’re worried what others think.
Leaders have a mind of their own.
5 ways to think for yourself:
#1. Don’t rush to research.
Instead of exploring research, explore your own thoughts. Write a few paragraphs describing what you believe and why – before you seek outside input.
“The little girl had the making of a poet in her who, being told to be sure of her meaning before she spoke, said, ‘How can I know what I think till I see what I say?’” (The Art of Thought by Graham Foster)
When you don’t know your own mind most any idea sounds right.
#2. Consider how others could be right.
Create three reasons the opposite could be true. You haven’t thought well until you understand more than one side of an issue.
Write a paragraph or two explaining why another person is right.
#3. Reflect on who you’re making happy and why.
People pleasers don’t know themselves. I’m not saying good decisions always make you happy. Some decisions are painful.
The need to please clouds brains.
Please note: All success requires pleasing someone (not everyone of course).
#4. Judge slowly.
Judging is easier than thinking.
Quick minds hinder leaders. You decide and defend in an instant.
A judgement made is an omelet, hard to unmake. Openness ends and defending begins once you make up your mind.
#5. Try something.
Some ‘brilliant’ ideas are stupid. When you aren’t sure try something. Clarity comes with action.
How are you learning to use your brain?
What idea in this post could you use today?
Still curious:
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That first reason is something that will get me stuck in a second. Jumping to research instead of thinking about how I would do it or what I think about it. Definitely something I need to consider more often
That’s a good one, Gabe. Personally, I find thinking takes discipline. I’m with you. I jump on line and read some articles before I’ve had a chance to reflect. If it helps, writing my thoughts in my journal is often illuminating and rewarding. It helps me realize specific issues to explore. Also, writing often leads me from thought to many thoughts. Exploration is richer after I’ve thought about my own thoughts. Sometimes the process is humbling and I can always do with a little humbling.
Hi Dan and all,
Thanks for thought provoking post ! I was caught by something your quoted little girl said. Sometimes the things people say are ideas they are trying on and not closely-held convictions at all. It may be part of wisdom to let initial reactions air out and not force a defense or deep exploration right away. These first thoughts, ours and others, may be a passing flare of notions. Off-gassing. A shiny but eventually ill-fitting outfit that gets set aside naturally
So helpful, Cate. My takeaway is don’t pressure people to be right all the time. Give them space to explore.
It would be useful to let others know when we are doing that too. “I’m mulling over a few ideas.” “Let me try out a couple of thoughts.”
Don’t be quick to judgement which speaks to #4 above.
Think for yourself—
1. Define the problem or opportunity as you see it. (Don’t just accept the other person’s view.)
2. Question the assumptions that are behind the statements.
3. Never accept “We can just do A or B.” There are always other options.
4. Consider the “hidden agendas.” Who will benefit from each option.
5. Ask for fact and examples before you reach conclusions.
6. Always consider–how big was the sample size and how was the sample selected. Statistics can often be slanted in the desired direction
Thanks Paul. My favorite is, “Question assumptions.” It’s a simple as asking, “What caused you to say that?”
“A judgement made is an omelet, hard to unmake. Openness ends and defending begins once you make up your mind.”
Dan
I doubt when you wrote it, it struck you this way. But this might be one of the best quotes of all time….
Thanks for the continued thought provocation!
Thanks, Ryan. Glad you found that useful. I make up my mind quickly. It’s pretty hard to have an open mind when you already made up your mind. 🙂
I am currently dealing with a 2-sided issue where I work and there are differing opinions. I am choosing to hear the other side and also present my side of the issue without fear of failure. I like the idea of writing a couple of paragraphs to state my opinion. I did do this. I also needed to do some research and that was a more difficult task as there are no regulations surrounding this issue. (I am in nursing.) Now comes the part of whether or not the task may be delegated to unlicensed personnel.
Hi Brenda, That sounds like a sticky one. Leaders often make tough decisions. One thing I explore with them is, “What’s your highest point of confidence?” Not what’s the perfect answer?
Can you adopt a trial run or pilot program? Decisions seem less daunting when they are short-term. Everything doesn’t have to be a lifelong decision.
I wish you success.