Critical Thinking, What Is It?

Posted on June 20th, 2009 in Self Development, Skills Training, Recent Posts by Sarah Thompson

Whether You consider Yourself average or above average, the fact is
most of us believe that we are  Coachable and critical thinkers .  If
the truth be told, 99 percent of us are neither.

When we encounter an issue that captures our attention, we call it a
problem.  Believing we are critical thinkers, we examine it;  and if
we have a “program loop” in our mind, something  that we’ve heard or
used in the past for a similar  situation,  we apply it.  Never for a
moment does it occur to us to think about the Law of unintended
consequences.

Critical thinkers are fully aware of the Law of unintended consequences.
Wondering what is “The Law Of Unintended consequences?

The Law of Unintended consequences simply means that every action has
an equal and opposite reaction.  Look at this loosely as a “positive”
and a “negative” result from every action  we initiate.  A segment of
each reaction will fulfill the intended consequence.  The balance will
ALWAYS result in an unintended consequence.

Critical thinking identifies and minimizes the  impact of the
unintended consequences.

I like to use Rubik’s cube as an example of how to apply critical
thinking to an issue.  Notice I said “issue.”  Once we term or label the situation as a problem, we’ve lost the ability to apply critical thinking to that issue.

Now, just like Rubik’s cube, we have to look at an issue from all
six sides.   We then need to back off and determine what would happen
if we twist it to the right.  Does an unexpected or unwanted result occur on the opposite side?

To apply Critical Thinking we have to examine an issue. This means
BEFORE we set ourselves to action we have to run through a series of
“what ifs;” scenarios of the consequences of our actions.

For example, what will happen on all six sides of an issue if I move
in this direction or that direction?

What happens if I make no movement at all?

Do any of the scenarios I’ve contemplated move me closer to my
vision of the life I want to have?  Just as important, does this
support my core values or does it move me off the path of personal
integrity?

Learning the skill of applied critical thinking virtually eliminates
negative happenings in our life.

Begin the process now; learn to develop Your Critical Thinking habits with this book