How To Practice 9 Proven Thinking-Methods (Part-2)

Step-by-step guide for each of the 9 Thinking Methods discussed in article part 1 that top performers use. These thinking strategies are essential to improving your decision-making and critical thinking skills, both in personal and professional life. By practicing these methods, you can develop a clearer mindset and better problem-solving abilities.

1. Practice the Feynman Technique

Description: Named after physicist Richard Feynman, this technique involves breaking down complex ideas into simple, understandable terms. If you can explain something to a child, it means you’ve truly understood it.

Steps to Practice:

1. Select a Concept: Choose a concept you’re learning or want to understand better.
2. Explain It Simply: Write down the explanation as if you’re teaching it to a child. Use simple language.
3. Identify Gaps: If there’s anything you struggle to explain clearly, go back to your source material and review it.
4. Refine Your Explanation: Once you’ve filled the gaps, re-explain it in an even simpler way, improving clarity and accuracy.

2. Use the 10-10-10 Rule

Description: This method is designed to help you make thoughtful decisions by considering their impact over three distinct periods: 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.

Steps to Practice:

1. Pause Before Deciding: Whenever faced with a significant decision, take a moment to reflect.
2. Ask Yourself: How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes? In 10 months? In 10 years?
3. Evaluate Outcomes: Balance short-term impulses with long-term consequences.
4. Make a Decision: Based on your reflections, choose the option that aligns with your long-term values and goals.

3. Practice the 5 W’s and H

Description: The 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and H (How) is a comprehensive questioning technique used to gather all relevant information about a situation or problem.

Steps to Practice:

1. Identify the Situation or Problem: Clearly define what you are trying to understand.
2. Ask Questions: For each aspect, ask the 5 W’s and H:

• Who is involved?
• What is happening?
• When did it occur?
• Where is it taking place?
• Why is it important?
• How does it work?

1. Record Answers: Write down the answers to gain a complete perspective of the situation.
2. Analyze: Use this information to make an informed decision or action plan.

4. Ask “Why?” Five Times

Description: By asking “Why?” five times in succession, you can peel away the superficial layers of a problem and uncover the root cause.

Steps to Practice:

1. State the Problem: Begin with a clear problem or issue.
2. Ask the First “Why?”: Why is this problem occurring?
3. Ask Subsequent “Why’s”: Continue asking “Why?” for each answer, digging deeper with each question.
4. Reach the Root Cause: By the fifth “Why?”, you should have identified the core issue that needs addressing.
5. Take Action: Use this knowledge to address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

5. Use Mind Maps

Description: A mind map is a visual representation of ideas and concepts, helping you organize thoughts and see connections between different pieces of information.

Steps to Practice:

1. Pick a Central Idea: Start with the main topic or problem at the center of your mind map.
2. Branch Out: Create branches for subtopics or related ideas.
3. Add Details: Keep branching out by adding supporting points or ideas to each subtopic.
4. Analyze Connections: Look at how different ideas connect or contradict each other.
5. Refine: Organize the map, simplifying where possible and grouping related ideas together.

6. Look for Opposing Views

Description: Actively seeking opposing views broadens your perspective and helps you avoid bias. It encourages critical thinking by exposing you to alternative viewpoints.

Steps to Practice:

1. State Your Opinion: Identify your current stance or belief on a topic.
2. Find Opposing Views: Research articles, opinions, or talk to people who disagree with you.
3. Listen and Reflect: Instead of defending your viewpoint, focus on understanding the opposing argument.
4. Analyze Both Sides: Compare the strengths and weaknesses of each viewpoint.
5. Refine Your Thinking: Adjust your understanding or approach based on the new information.

7. Use the “What If” Technique

Description: This method involves asking “What if?” to explore alternative scenarios and predict outcomes.

Steps to Practice:

1. Identify the Problem or Situation: Start with a clear situation or decision.
2. Ask “What if?”: Think about various “What if” scenarios. For example, “What if I try a different method?” or “What if I don’t do anything?”
3. Explore Different Outcomes: Visualize what would happen in each scenario.
4. Evaluate: Compare the potential outcomes and assess which scenario is the most favorable or feasible.
5. Make a Decision: Choose the course of action that has the best predicted outcome.

8. Play Devil’s Advocate

Description: Playing Devil’s Advocate means intentionally arguing against your own ideas or decisions to identify weaknesses and improve them.

Steps to Practice:

1. State Your Idea or Decision: Clearly define the idea or choice you want to challenge.
2. Argue Against It: Try to find flaws or weaknesses in your idea. Imagine you are someone who disagrees with you.
3. Examine the Flaws: Identify where your idea is vulnerable or lacks clarity.
4. Revise and Strengthen: Use the insights from your “Devil’s Advocate” exercise to refine and strengthen your original idea.
5. Repeat: Continually challenge your thinking until it becomes resilient.

9. Keep a “Question Journal”

Description: Keeping a journal of questions helps to cultivate curiosity and encourages deeper exploration into topics o

How Upskillshare Enhances Value-Based Thinking and Soft Skills

Developing these thinking methods can dramatically boost your performance as both a student and a professional. When you combine them with value based thinking, you can make decisions that align with your goals and values, leading to more meaningful success. At Upskillshare, we provide the resources and community that will help you practice these skills in real-world situations. Whether you’re looking to improve your creativity, decision-making abilities, or overall soft skills, Upskillshare has the tools and learning community you need to thrive.

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