How to think vs what to think
120 tiny habits that have changed my life the most.
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On thinking: how vs what
“All of us at various times in our lives believe true things for poor reasons, and false things for good reasons, and that whatever we think we know, whether we’re right or wrong, arises from our interactions with other human beings. Thinking independently, solitarily, ‘for ourselves,’ is not an option.”—Alan Jacobs
The ability to think for yourself is the foundation for forming opinions, finding solutions to problems, and living a life of purpose and meaning.
“He who thinks little errs much…” Leonardo da Vinci wisely said.
“How to think” is the process and skills we use in reasoning. That means relying on critical thinking techniques, mental models and thinking tools to make informed choices. t also means considering multiple perspectives before making up your mind about life-changing decisions. For example, an investor researching a potential investment might gather information on the company’s financial performance, analyse market trends, and use critical thinking skills to make a well-informed decision on whether to invest. Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, is well known for his ability to spot profitable investments.
But many people don’t know he devotes much of his day to reading. He reads widely and deeply, from newspapers and magazines to books about business, finance, investing, and biographies of other successful people. Buffett reads to gain knowledge, to stay informed and up to date, and to find the gems of wisdom that can be applied to his investments. “I still probably spend five or six hours a day reading,” Buffett says in HBO’s documentary, “Becoming Warren Buffett.” “I like to sit and think. I spend a lot of time doing that and sometimes it is pretty unproductive, but I find it enjoyable to think about business or investment problems.”
Buffett never stops questioning, pondering and reflecting.
“What to think”, on the other hand, refers to pre-determined opinions, beliefs, or ideologies we are expected or encouraged to adopt without critical examination. It often involves blindly accepting information or knowledge without considering the validity of sources, how it applies to your life or alternative assumptions.
The distinction between “how to think” and “what to think” highlights the importance of developing critical thinking skills and avoiding uncritical acceptance of information. Accepting “what to think” without question can have limiting consequences on your life. When you only have one way of thinking, you can miss important, smarter information or perspectives that can help you build a better life.
Relying on a single news channel and never seeking out alternative perspectives means you might blindly accept their opinions on political or social issues as gospel truth without critically examining the information they choose to share.
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices,” says William James. People who stop questioning what they’re told and rely on pre-determined beliefs may lose their ability to think critically.Also, when you accept common knowledge without questioning its application to your specific life, you may accept false or misleading information as truth.
People who rely on their own emotions and instincts alone to make decisions without gathering additional information or considering reason and objective perspectives might make errors in action without fully understanding the consequences of their actions. How to think is more important than what to think because it allows you to be more flexible and adaptable to different situations, be more productive, and be better at choosing optimal trajectories for your life.
By learning how to think, you can develop the confidence to evaluate situations, make decisions, and draw your own conclusions. It also allows you to take in new information and interpret it objectively without the influence of external pressures.
Poor thinking can complicate your life
“When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.” ― Horace Walpole
Everyone wants to be successful in life, but how you go about it is what truly matters. Creating your own thoughts, opinions, and ideas is key to ensuring you stay ahead in the game. Learning how to think for yourself and decipher what is right and wrong for you is the key to unlocking your best life.
It’s essential to be able to evaluate, analyse, and create your own thought process so you can make decisions that are best for you. Irrational thinking can lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and other life difficulties. Poor thinking habits can cause us to perceive things in an overly negative light and make decisions based on fear or false assumptions, which can hurt our quality of life.
“Misery is almost always the result of thinking,” Joseph Joubert said.
Learn to cultivate rational thinking habits.
Try to base your thoughts and decisions on evidence and logic rather than emotions or personal biases. Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions, and try to be non-judgmental. Keep yourself informed about different areas of knowledge — you will have a broader understanding of the world in the process. Understanding how to think and what to think can help you design a better, more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Food for thought
120 tiny habits that have changed my life the most (free read on Medium)
Think of life as happening for you.
Gratitude shifts your focus to what is good in your life, even when things are difficult.
Choose quality over quantity in all things.
Whether it’s time, or relationships, focus on what truly matters.
Choose activities that make you feel alive.
Make repeated habits obvious, easy, and satisfying.
Use short, timed work sessions.
Pieces of advice worth passing on:
‘Rules for life’ list from the artist Nathaniel Russell
“Make things you want to see; learn about yourself and the world; put on your own shows; make your friends laugh; try not to drive yourself nuts or be too hard on yourself; try to be a good person; do what it is you feel like you should be doing.”
Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements won’t steer you wrong:
1) Be impeccable with your word, 2) Don’t take anything personally, 3) Don’t make assumptions, 4) Always do your best.
Atul Gawande on being human:
“In the end, people don't view their life as merely the average of all its moments—which, after all, is mostly nothing much plus some sleep. For human beings, life is meaningful because it is a story. A story has a sense of a whole, and its arc is determined by the significant moments, the ones where something happens. Measurements of people's minute-by-minute levels of pleasure and pain miss this fundamental aspect of human existence. A seemingly happy life maybe empty. A seemingly difficult life may be devoted to a great cause. We have purposes larger than ourselves.” — Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
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Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year!
Thomas
Medium | All Courses | The Write Life | Philosophy For Modern Life
Postanly Weekly is now a reader-supported publication. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $7 per month or $40 for an entire year. With a modest yearly contribution you’re not only helping keep Postanly Weekly going, you also get free access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox (practical concepts for smarter decisions).
Christmas discount: 50% off today (get free instant access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox.
Use this special link or the button below.