Teach Your Child How to Think

1. Thinking is a Skill That Can Be Learned and Developed

"Everyone has to think – everyone can think."

Universal Thinking Potential. Thinking is not a mysterious talent reserved for geniuses or academics, but a skill that can be learned and improved by anyone willing to practice. Just like learning to play a musical instrument or a sport, thinking can be systematically developed through deliberate techniques and consistent effort.

Key Learning Approaches:

• Treat thinking as a skill, not an innate ability
• Practice specific thinking techniques
• Be willing to learn and improve continuously
• Understand that thinking skills can be taught directly

Mindset Transformation. By viewing thinking as a learnable skill, individuals can overcome self-limiting beliefs and approach problem-solving with confidence and creativity. The first step is believing in one's capacity to become a better thinker.

2. Attention and Perception Are More Important Than Intelligence

"Intelligence is a potential. Thinking is the skill with which we use that potential."

Intelligence vs. Thinking Skills. High intelligence does not automatically translate to effective thinking. Many highly intelligent people fall into the "intelligence trap" by defending existing views rather than exploring new perspectives. The real skill lies in how we direct our attention and perceive situations.

Thinking Skill Development:

• Learn to direct attention deliberately
• Practice seeing situations from multiple perspectives
• Challenge your existing perceptions
• Develop flexibility in thinking

Perception as a Foundation. Understanding that perception shapes our thinking allows us to become more open-minded and creative. By actively working to broaden our perceptual range, we can transcend the limitations of pure intelligence.

3. Use Specific Tools to Direct and Improve Thinking

"You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper."

Thinking Tools as Cognitive Techniques. Specific thinking tools like PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting), OPV (Other People's Views), and CAF (Consider All Factors) provide structured approaches to exploring ideas and solving problems more effectively than traditional methods.

Tool Application Strategies:

• Learn and practice specific thinking tools
• Use tools deliberately and systematically
• Apply tools across different thinking scenarios
• Combine multiple tools for complex problems

Practical Thinking Enhancement. These tools act like precision instruments, allowing thinkers to dissect problems, explore alternatives, and generate creative solutions more methodically than relying on intuition alone.

4. Emotions and Values Play a Crucial Role in Thinking

"In the end all choices and decisions are emotional."

Emotional Intelligence in Thinking. Emotions are not obstacles to clear thinking but integral components of the decision-making process. Effective thinking requires acknowledging and understanding emotional influences while maintaining an objective perspective.

Emotional Thinking Principles:

• Recognize emotions as valuable input
• Understand the role of values in decision-making
• Practice separating emotions from logical assessment
• Use emotional intelligence to enhance thinking

Holistic Thinking Approach. By integrating emotional awareness with logical analysis, individuals can make more comprehensive and nuanced decisions that consider both rational and emotional dimensions.

5. Creative Thinking Requires Breaking Established Patterns

"Lateral thinking is for escaping from established ideas and perceptions in order to find new ones."

Pattern Disruption Techniques. Creative thinking involves deliberately interrupting established mental patterns to generate innovative ideas. Techniques like provocation, random word association, and deliberate perspective shifts can help break cognitive constraints.

Creative Thinking Strategies:

• Use deliberate provocation techniques
• Challenge existing assumptions
• Practice perspective shifting
• Embrace uncertainty and experimental thinking

Innovation Through Disruption. By learning to momentarily suspend logical constraints and explore seemingly absurd connections, thinkers can access novel insights and solutions previously hidden by conventional thinking.

6. Logic Must Be Balanced with Broader Perception

"Wisdom is directly based on perception. Wisdom is the ability to take in many things."

Beyond Logical Reasoning. While logic is important, true understanding requires a broader perceptual approach that considers context, multiple perspectives, and potential variations in circumstances.

Perceptual Thinking Principles:

• Expand beyond narrow logical reasoning
• Consider multiple perspectives
• Recognize the limitations of pure logic
• Develop flexibility in perception

Wisdom-Centered Thinking. By cultivating a more expansive view of situations, thinkers can develop deeper, more nuanced understanding that transcends rigid logical frameworks.

7. Problem-Solving Requires Structured Approaches

"If you have no idea at all about what to do, you may need more information."

Systematic Problem Resolution. Effective problem-solving involves structured methods like mapping out starting positions, exploring routes, and defining clear objectives. Techniques such as the Problink™ method provide visual and logical frameworks for addressing challenges.

Problem-Solving Strategies:

• Use systematic thinking structures
• Break complex problems into manageable components
• Generate multiple alternative solutions
• Assess alternatives systematically

Methodical Problem Navigation. By adopting structured approaches, individuals can transform seemingly overwhelming challenges into navigable cognitive landscapes.

8. Decision-Making is an Emotional Process Guided by Thinking

"The purpose of thinking is to allow emotions to act upon perceptions that are broad and clear."

Emotional Decision Framework. Decisions are fundamentally emotional, driven by underlying motivations like greed, fear, and desire for comfort. Thinking provides a clarity that allows these emotions to be channeled more constructively.

Decision-Making Principles:

• Recognize emotional foundations of choices
• Use thinking to broaden perceptual context
• Assess decisions across multiple dimensions
• Balance emotional insight with rational analysis

Enlightened Emotional Choices. By understanding the interplay between emotions and rational thinking, individuals can make more holistic and authentic decisions.

9. Challenge Your Existing Thinking Habits

"At any point in thinking there may be alternatives that you have not yet thought of."

Habit Disruption. Effective thinking requires continuously challenging established mental patterns, being open to alternative perspectives, and avoiding dogmatic adherence to existing beliefs.

Thinking Habit Transformation:

• Question established assumptions
• Practice intellectual humility
• Seek diverse perspectives
• Cultivate curiosity

Cognitive Flexibility. By developing a mindset of ongoing learning and openness, thinkers can continuously evolve their cognitive capabilities.

10. Develop Constructive Thinking Over Critical Thinking

"Thinking is not difficult. Thinking is not boring. You do not need to be a genius in order to be a good thinker."

Positive Thinking Orientation. Instead of focusing solely on criticism and analysis, prioritize constructive, generative thinking that creates solutions and explores possibilities.

Constructive Thinking Strategies:

• Move beyond mere criticism
• Focus on generating alternatives
• Embrace creativity and possibility
• Develop solution-oriented mindsets

Transformative Thinking Approach. By shifting from critical to constructive thinking, individuals can become more effective problem-solvers and innovators.

Last updated: December 24, 2024