By Judi Light Hopson, Emma H. Hopson and Ted Hagen
McClatchy-Tribune
Do you remember your parents or teachers telling you to “put your thinking caps on”? They knew that encouraging you to review information step-by-step would be critical in life.
When we leave our thinking caps off, we’re giving away our power.
We’re all guilty of this to some degree. We might trust other people or we rely on sheer luck.
In educational circles, students are often implored to work on “critical thinking skills.” This means you can assess information, figure out the true nature of it, and get a broader picture of what’s really going on.
Thinking on a higher level means you try to do what’s best for other people as well.
“We have three doctors at our hospital who provide wonderful insight,” says a hospital CEO we’ll call Andrea. “They really look at situations from many angles, and they’re always looking out for everyone.”
Most of us, though, can name plenty of people who avoid the labor of thinking. After all, thinking about situations, relationships and decisions requires a lot of time. It’s easier for some people to watch TV, go shopping and distract themselves.
These are the people we worry about. We don’t trust them to watch after our businesses, and we don’t trust them to watch our children.
If you are a person who has critical thinking skills, be sure to put this down on your resume. State that you are a “problem solver” or that you are a “solution- oriented individual.”
Thinking more deeply and acting nobly is something you can’t pick up in school, necessarily. You have to find these abilities within yourself.
Slowly and methodically acquiring needed critical thinking skills will help you to trust your own judgment. Your decisions will come faster, and they will be better ones. In addition, you can market yourself to employers with more confidence.
If you don’t think deeply enough, face up to this. As a student, parent, or job seeker, do you feel kind of lost? Are you drifting along, relying on fate or other people too much?
You might open a new world by learning what power you have by “putting your thinking cap on.”
To develop critical thinking skills, try these strategies:
Imagine good long-term outcomes. For example, if your nephew is addicted to alcohol, look at ways to get your nephew some help. Read up on how to stage an intervention, for example, and follow through.
Park your ego. If you warned your sister not to marry her husband, don't say, "I told you so," if they are quarreling. Do some research to find at least two good marriage counselors. Thoughtfully approach your sister about your information, so she'll listen and take action.
Deal with reality and make a difference. If your neighbor is dying of cancer, figure out how to bring stability and balance to the situation. Go ahead and encourage the family to have hope, but do offer to mow their yard and offer rides to the doctor's office.
“I’m thankful my parents taught me to take a deeper look at everything,” says a nurse we’ll call Adele. “I have an internal radar screen that picks up everything.”
She continues, “Over the years, I’ve realized that critical thinking skills can save lives, inspire others around you, and help you gain trust,” says Adele. “When we think more deeply, we can trust ourselves. We’re not at the mercy of other people.”
