We all know there are ways to become a better thinker. We should read more books. We ought to go to lectures and concerts. We need to visit exhibits and appreciate art. We can take classes and expand our horizons through travel.
Blah, blah, blah. Those are the easy answers.
If we really want to become better thinkers, there are three ways to do it that are guaranteed to get you tuned in to your brain and everything going on in it.
Ready? Here are the top three secrets to becoming a better thinker:
#1 Interrupt yourself.
That's right. The next time you find yourself talking for any period of time, or even thinking about something for more than a few minutes, simply stop. Ask yourself: "Where did this thought start?" "Have I had this thought before?" "Have I already examined this concept at length?"
We tend to reiterate our opinions. We repeat ourselves (like I did right there). Imagine all the time we spend on thoughts that just aren't taking us anywhere new and interesting. How many times have you had the same conversation?
Make a habit of stopping yourself to check in. Steer your thoughts or your conversation in new directions. Make room for new ideas by recognizing and interrupting repetitive thoughts, and you'll make huge strides toward becoming a more excellent thinker.
#2 Appreciate lulls.
You know when you're talking to someone, and there's a moment of silence before anyone says anything? Our tendency is to jump in, even if what we have to say is pointless. We talk for the sake of filling up that few seconds of silence to keep that pause from becoming uncomfortable.
Next time you find yourself with an unexpected moment of silence, try this: Smile and nod. You'll look thoughtful, and you won't fill the air with silly-sounding expressions of agreement. Once you get good at the smile-and-nod routine, you'll find that you'll use that moment as a way to be open to new thoughts that wouldn't normally have room to sprout through your typical "uh-huh, that is so true" or "yeah, I totally agree with that" comments.
Appreciate those moments during the day when you have no choice but to be silent and patient. Waiting for your email to download? Standing in line at the checkout? Riding in an elevator? Fill the lull with observations. Look around. Notice scents. Pay attention to lighting. Listen. Think of these pauses as opportunities to sharpen your senses. Enjoy a Da Vinci moment.
#3 Define Your Life Philosophy.
Quite frankly, I don't understand how this one gets so neglected in our culture. We do a whole lot of talking about being authentic, honoring our individuality, and finding our true passion. Well, how can anyone be true to themselves if they haven't taken the time to figure out who they are? If you don't know your values and beliefs, you're never going to get to where you think you ought to be.
A defined life philosophy serves as a road map. It gives you landmarks to recognize, navigation tools to guide you, and a clear destination. Just like the greatest road trips, you may end up going in a completely new direction that's nowhere on that original map. That's okay. But knowing your starting point is the most crucial part of any journey.
Fate, birth, death, love, freedom, responsibility, morality, faith, destiny--these are the concepts we need to explore in order to develop and define our own unique life philosophy. Thinking about these ideas is the coolest thing we can do. We feel alive and connected whenever we dig deep into the Real Stuff.
Don't shy away from delving deeply. It's the only way to develop as a thinker and as a human.
Take these three secrets--interrupting yourself, appreciating lulls, and defining your life philosophy--and run with them. Pick one as a New Year's resolution and commit yourself to mastering it.
Vow to become a better thinker in 2004. It may be your most meaningful--and enjoyable--resolution ever!
About The Author
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 70 countries around the world. This article appeared in the Friday Mind Massage, a free weekly ezine serving up a satisfying blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief. To subscribe, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com.
http://www.massageyourmind.com
trusted cleaning company Lake Forest ..Many centuries ago there was a Greek philosopher who lived... Read More
In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More
"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
Have you ever noticed how many unhappy people there are... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm... Read More
All the problems that any individual has in their lives... Read More
Self belief is a wonderful thing.I know from my own... Read More
In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More
This week's wisdom is on the power of living in... Read More
Yuk!One thing, I really have a problem with is criticism.... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
Are you undergoing a major life change? Or merely trying... Read More
A joke is a way of getting people to laugh.... Read More
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More
"Spiritual Intelligence" (SI) is the ability of a person to... Read More
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More
The others in the raft didn't seem to share Eddie's... Read More
Living without limits. Living your life to the fullest. Living... Read More
Have you ever noticed what can happen if you just... Read More
Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
I woke up this morning feeling sour.No. That's an understatement.... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Lincolnshire ..Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the... Read More
Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More
Everyone faces challenges during their life, from suffering the death... Read More
Well you know about the young hero who saved his... Read More
Change your attitude, change your lifeIn my experiences, I've found... Read More
Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More
Your response (reaction?) to change is conditioned by your entire... Read More
Emotions are controlled by a combination of reason and action.... Read More
Almost everyone experiences some form of worry one time or... Read More
1. Smile2. Laugh3. Greet people courteously4. Be enthusiastic5. Dream. Engage... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
You've probably heard this idea at one time or another.... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that... Read More
While trying to ignore my teen daughters rap music a... Read More
Last time we talked about how to begin building the... Read More
What does it take to succeed? How can you move... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
At some point in our careers, we may find ourselves... Read More
There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More
In many ways the Star War movies are simply a... Read More
Hey gang; Ok it's time to create some good habits.... Read More
Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More
"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |