8 Tips to ACTUALLY Improve Your Thinking
*Try this for 30 minutes a day
Announcing to the world your goals at this time of year is a habit for some. You feel ‘halfway there’ when you announce to someone you are going to start working out, playing the guitar or acquiring any new skill. Telling people your goals, in fact, reduces your chance of achieving them. But how much more effective can you be if you spent some of your time planning how you will learn a new skill or achieving the goal. Forget New Year’s resolutions. Doing anything difficult is a reward in itself. Spend 30 minutes a day to improve your thinking.
Thinking is a skill as much as playing basketball, writing, public speaking or being the CEO of a Start-up.
Make some of these habits and realize the power of better thinking.
1. Mind map
The simplicity of getting stuff out of your head into a visual map is powerful. Seeing your thoughts can help you order, simplify and be more creative.
Check out https://app.imindmap.com/
2. Thesaurus
If someone pays you the courtesy of reading, make it readable. Tools like www.Thesaurus.com build your vocabulary, grammar, and creative juices too. Articulating your thoughts better helps everyone, your team, customers, investors, etc.
3. Use Pen and Paper
Contradictory to mind maps, but how long do you expect to write or create something? Creating something worth reading, takes time. Several passes. Putting pen to paper helps people develop neural pathways. Would you like a better memory, more creativity? Plus, it feels good.
4. Stop Talking, Reading, Get on with it
At some point, there is no more research, just you and the problem. Pushing through, even for ten minutes breaks down your fear of beginning. Who knows, you may spend all day. You can achieve anything, once you get started.
5. Ask a question You care about and break it down
What’s the biggest challenge you face? Break down the parts into smaller pieces and contemplate new solutions. Go back to first principles. Most complex issues are usually found in smaller pieces and take a few steps. Divide to multiply your success.
6. Stories are Magic
If you haven’t figured it out by now, storytelling is a 21st Century skill.
People lean into stories. There are some evergreen principles in storytelling. Whatever you choose to do, work on your storytelling prowess. Whatever your business is, learn to explain problems, solutions, and anything in stories.
For a quick summary. https://medium.com/@DKAdvisor/storytelling-connect-beyond-the-click-and-find-your-clique-d8b3183763d
7. Have downtime
Go back to when you were a kid. What did you love to do? Choose something that is the 2020 version of this activity. Or draw maps of the world if that floats your boat. Forget about Google Maps. A Football Coach told me, you can make any hobby work, or you can choose to enjoy it. Recharging your battery helps you think clearer.
8. Spend some time alone, to think deeply, combine it with walking
How often do you really have time to think? Enjoy it. Many people will tell you their best ideas come when they are not at their desks. A brisk walk can create some room to think and is healthy too. Remember, life’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Happy thinking.
