How to learn to think more clearly and holistically

The way we think affects everything from problem-solving skills to understand their goals and the surrounding world.

Blogger Zet Rana (Zat Rana) I toldHow thinking patterns influence us and how to develop them.

Observe habits loop

In terms of popular psychology, the formation of habits - a simple loop: trigger habitual action, the reward. In the outside world, we are faced with something that serves as a trigger. Last triggers an action that we have learned to perform in similar circumstances in the course of previous experience. The reward we get for the action becomes a reinforcement loop. So there is a habit.

Look closely at your daily life and you will notice there are loops. Our brains are adapted to search for patterns. We recognize and internalize them to then be used in the future.

Habits help not waste time to think, when we find ourselves in similar situations, and thus save energy.

In the same manner as the usual steps formed habitual thought patterns. Growing up, we learn to recognize patterns around us and assimilate what seems valuable. But over time, we get stuck in these mental loops, because of what we see events from only one side. Partly therefore difficult for us to change the opinion about a subject. The brain has learned something in one context and then attempts to mistakenly apply it elsewhere.

The hinges are not necessarily habits to break, although this is possible. Just do not forget about them and do not let them limit your thinking.

Diversify mental models

Nobody in the world does not think absolutely identical way, because life is all at least a little different. Each of us at different times, faced with various problems and in their own way they react. This reaction depends on our natural qualities and education.

Differing patterns of thinking - this is exactly what makes each himself. our identity is made up of the interaction of these models. They create a subjective perception of the person.

In fact, the model of thinking - a hidden rule of thumb, with which we associate with the different aspects of reality.

And since reality is very complex, it is useful to have in the arsenal of many patterns of thinking. What are they diverse, the more accurate the representation of the world.

These models consist of a loop habits that we have formed in response to external impressions. So the only way to diversify them - to look for new and contradictory impressions. For example, read a book, to be in an unfamiliar environment, spending thought experiment.

conclusions

In the development process we have formed habitual patterns of behavior and thinking. We unconsciously use them to avoid spending each time cognitive resources. The problem is that it is very easy to get stuck in a familiar model. After all, it is not suitable for all situations, thereby causing confusion and dissatisfaction.

To avoid this, to assimilate as much as possible a variety of patterns of thinking. Ideally, you want to notice when you are using inappropriate, and switch to another.