4 April 2022

In a way, this week’s thought is probably a continuation of what I was saying last week about biases. But it is a bit more than that, as this week I want to talk about thinking again.
Thinking is very important, as it influences the way that we talk about things, or the way that we do things. Unfortunately, some people also do this the other way around and sometimes talk without thinking or doing, whilst others think without doing! We have all grown up thinking of ourselves in a hyper-individualistic way, so often find it difficult to think about things differently to the way that we originally thought about them.
But, as I have said before, people are different from each other and another person may think or do things differently from us. That doesn’t mean that we are right and they are wrong. You also never really know what other people are thinking and cannot expect people to be telepathic and always know what you are thinking. You need to accept them as they are and not as you want them to be. People who think differently from you, are actually the ones that help you think about things better in the long run, so try not to be defensive when you hear something which is different to the way you think.
This is usually everyone’s first reaction, as they feel that they are being criticised. When we say something which another person agrees with, we feel validated, but if we say something which another person disagrees with, even for good reason, we usually just feel criticised and quickly become defensive – trying to rationalise our words or actions, both consciously to the other person and also unconsciously to ourselves, to try to make sense of it. You cannot think about something properly if you just jump to a foregone conclusion in your mind.
But ‘thinking differently’ is more than just a catch phrase. You really have to think about a situation differently to how you normally think about it. There is a lovely quote by Albert Einstein, which says that we cannot solve our problems with the same type of thinking that we used when we created them. You have to entertain the possibility that you may be wrong. Interestingly, by doing this, if it doesn’t change your view, it actually sharpens your arguments and is more objective. It will usually also be more balanced and you may discover a third way of thinking in-between your view and an opposing view, which seems to accommodate both, without contradicting them. Strange but true!
You should think slowly so that you can think properly. Try to resist the urge to rush in, as you then have more time to think. You also need to give the proper amount of time to think about something fully. You have to think slowly to do something justice, so that you can concentrate properly and consider all the permutations and perspectives that you have to go through. I have noticed that few people think about something fully, instead jumping to conclusions too quickly already formed unconsciously, without considering other perspectives first, including ones that they may disagree with.
I have a lot of respect for those who don’t feel that they have to answer a question as quickly as possible, without first thinking properly about their response, or who say that they don’t know the answer, because they haven’t thought about it fully. It’s ironic how many people feel stupid if they don’t have a ready-made answer to something and cannot bear a moment’s silent gap, without feeling the need to fill it in, whereas those who are more considered take longer and are prepared to think in silence for a minute before responding.
And try to think ahead, so that you can identify problems as far as possible beforehand. Additionally, always try to keep your cool and do not get overly excited about something or allow yourself or others to wind you up, because when you are emotional, you cannot think straight.
Finally, there is also a joy in thinking just for the sake of thinking, not only thinking for a purpose. Often, in fact, thinking with a purpose in mind, usually undermines the joy of thinking just for the sake of it!
So, this week, please remember that thinking is very important and try to first reflect on your thoughts before you announce them to the world.




