thinking skills for decision making - in 21 visual tweets

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While decisions based on intuition and instinct are fine for routine tasks, for complex tasks you need deep thinking skills. Learn how to think deep in 21 visual tweets!

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www.TimelessLifeskills.co.uk

Deep Thinking Skills

for Better Decision Making

- in 21 Visual Tweets!

Presents

Brain is efficient but lazy!

www.TimelessLifeskills.co.uk

1.

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Brain boils down every input it receives to a pattern that can be stored and recalled easily.

2.

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This pattern making behaviour of the brain leads to creation of assumptions, perceptions, instincts and heuristics (mental short-cuts).

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For routine tasks the brain working on a reflex (without thinking deep) is an efficient way of working.

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And at times ‘acting on instinct’ is the right approach...

When in danger the brain decides ‘fight or flight’ instinctively.

5.

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However, such ‘intuitive thinking’ is not always advantageous.

We have to be wary of ‘bad habits’ of the brain...

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Bad Habits of the Brain - 1: At times our emotions and beliefs may lead us to wrong assumptions and perceptions.

7.

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Bad Habits of the Brain - 2: Brain can become ‘ethnocentric’ - influenced by own society and culture, oblivious of other ways of thinking

8.

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Bad Habits of the Brain - 3: Brain can become ‘egocentric’ - influenced by own ego ( “I am right, others are wrong” )

9.

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Instead of relying only on intuition for making decisions and choices learn the steps for deep or reflective thinking...

10.

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Deep Thinking Step - 1: Discipline your brain to challenge intrinsic assumptions, perceptions and instincts.

Use techniques like Six Hat Thinking, Plus-Minus-Interesting Analysis, Role Playing, Critical Questioning, Games & Simulations.

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Deep Thinking Step - 2: Make a deliberate effort to think of ‘alternatives’.

Use techniques like brainstorming, creating ‘what-if’ scenarios, word association and De Bono’s ‘Po’ analysis.

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Deep Thinking Step - 3: Weigh all alternatives by working out the possible downstream consequences of each.

A ‘Socratic Dialogue’ with self or others to explore pros & cons of alternatives further clarifies thinking, leading to better decisions.

15.

16.

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Deep Thinking Review - 1: For complex situations, where more than one factor can vary, Reflective of Deep thinking becomes imperative.

17.

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Deep Thinking Review - 2: In complex situations decisions should not be influenced by first rush of emotions, instincts or impulse.

18.

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Deep Thinking Review - 3: Decisions and choices should not be based only on perceptions formed by past experiences.

19.

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Deep Thinking Review - 4: Decisions and choices should be based on deliberate and conscious thinking... start with generating new alternatives.

20.

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Deep Thinking Final Thought: Work out the downstream consequences of alternates and then decide. Such a decision will be better than an intuitive one!

21.

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Co-founder, www.TimelessLifeskills.co.uk

Co-founder, www.EnablingDimensions.com

Blog: http://atulpant.blogspot.com

About the Author

Thanks for reading. I welcome

your comments.

- Atul

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