4 steps for developing Effective Thinking skills

 “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem.

We all have 24 hours.”                  

 -Zig Ziglar

Today our lives are driven by information. Whatever information we need is available on a single click of the mouse, which leaves us with no scope for exploring different resources. Social media gives us a false impression that we are gaining knowledge, but in the real sense we are only gathering information which is absolutely of no use!

Just imagine how much we can learn if  we spend half the time that we actually spend on social media or on watching television.

Now you might ask me – Are you asking not use technology?

No, definitely not. I am asking to limit the use of technology and use it in a constructive way.

Over dependence on technology leads to distraction, wastage of time and decreases our thinking capacity. Yes you heard me right! Over usage of technology decreases our thinking capacity. 

When I say thinking capacity I am actually referring to the critical and logical thinking ability, the ability to make decisions and the ability to think effectively.When your thinking is set in the right direction, the process of learning starts automatically! And when you start applying what you've learned you’ll definitely prosper both personally and economically.

Come let us focus on how we can actually think, learn and prosper!

Here’s a small poem which describes the power of thinking. I read this poem for the first time in the book Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill.

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost a cinch that you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can!

                                                - Walter D. Wintle

Following are the 4 steps you need to follow to develop effective thinking skills

1.      Have a clear vision, a burning desire or a valid purpose.

Clarity of thought is important for the generation of ideas. To be able to think clearly one needs to define one’s vision first. Once the vision or the  purpose is defined and constantly fed into the mind in the form of self suggestion and positive affirmation,  the sub conscious mind automatically starts guiding your thoughts towards the fulfilment of your vision.

.

If you've not defined your vision yet I request you do so as soon as possible.

2.      Free yourself from all the distractions.

“ An addiction to distration is the end of your creative production.”

-          Robin Sharma

Mind is always attracted to distraction, but ideas are the products of a focussed mind. Your ability to focus is directly proportional to your ability to drive away distractions. We are surrounded by a lot of junk – be it personal or professional. It is very important for us to choose from this junk the activities which take us a step closer to towards our dream and ignore the rest.

Define your problem and do not be disturbed by anything or anyone until you find a solution. So go ahead and drive away all the distractions- social network, browsing, chatting, emails, phone calls etc. and focus on what is important.

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus”- Bruce Lee

3.     Have Faith in your abilities.

“Faith is the head chemist of the mind. When faith is blended with thought, the subconscious mind instantly picks up the vibration. The subconscious mind then translates and transmits it to infinite intelligence.”

                                                                        - Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow rich

4.      Surround yourself with greatness.

All successful people are surrounded by great people, find great mentors and work on great ideas. As I mentioned earlier in this post we are surrounded by a lot of junk- be it information or people. Look around and try to assess your relationships and try to find out how these relationships are influencing you. Because, your thinking is highly affected by the people around you.

If the influence is positive – encouraging, motivating and inspiring then it is really important for you to hold on to such relationships. It is equally important to get away from those which are influencing you in a negative way- demotivating, distracting and wasting your time.

“ Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and the thinkers, but most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness in you, even when you don’t see it yourself”

-Edmund Lee

Hope this article will help you to find your way to effective thinking. J

(Note : Detailed posts will be written on individual factors separately)