Social StudentCritical thinking is a bare minimum requirement in the workplace, at home, interpersonal communication, and adult learning. We make decisions daily, and they significantly affect our lives. It can be as mundane as choosing a beauty regimen or as life-changing as choosing a major in college. Therefore, it is a necessity that good choices are made by identifying flaws in an idea or a situation by deep diving into it to make an informed resolution. Here are some processes that may help in enhancing critical thinking skills.
Identification of the end goal
Knowing what you want precisely is half the battle in making an informed decision. Ask thoughtful questions to yourself, like, what do I want to achieve in this endeavor? This activity is conceptualizing. In concept formation, several resources are utilized, such as observation, experience, reflection, reasoning and communication heavily influenced by a person’s call to action and beliefs. For example, if you decide to start a fad all-meat diet that guarantees to make you lose 20 pounds in a month, identifying one’s goal is crucial. Approaching it with a clear view of whether you want healthy weight loss, better nutrition or increased energy, you can decide if this diet suits you.
Speaking of goal identification, you might want to challenge yourself to answer a daily crossword puzzle. Try to answer easy challenges first and make your way up to the more difficult crossword puzzle. You will learn to set realistic goals, but also push yourself to do more.
Do your research
Information gathering and collating testimonies can provide you with all the data that you will need to come up with an informed decision. For example, in settling an appropriate beauty regimen between a cream-based moisturizer or gel-based alternative, taking the time to do your research can address whether these products best suit your skin type, current beauty products in your arsenal and your lifestyle.
Eliminate your bias and challenge your idea
Considering the implications based on your research comes into play when you now synthesize the data you have by manipulating the idea. Idea manipulation may be a form of challenging its thesis. Good old-fashioned pros and cons list can represent your judgment and biases on a thought or issue. It is an intelligent way of breaking it down, accepting and rejecting the ideas that are not suited for you.
Explore the consequences
Careful consideration of the implications is an essential aspect of critical thinking. The consequences are the things we deal with in every decision that we make. For example, in choosing a major in college, it is of utmost importance that we consider our skill set, desires, and willingness to exert effort in this endeavor and not what other people want from us. Likewise, in choosing a path in the university that would eventually dictate your career, you must apply careful critical thinking.
Explore other POV
Taking into account the full spectrum of other people’s point of view can offer fresh eyes. It gets rid of rose-colored glasses or any biases that you have in any issue. Sometimes accepting that you are not always right is pivotal in any critical thinking exercises.
These steps do not guarantee the elimination of difficult decisions, but it assures increased positive choices and outcomes in our lives. This is because critical thinking gives us the power to see things reasonably and logically.