These 4 Steps Can Help You Develop Clearer And More Rational Thoughts

We all get caught in vicious cycles of self-doubt, what-ifs, and pessimism from time to time. But there’s a growing movement aimed at cutting through much of that clutter and negativity.

Let’s break down four strategies that have been shown to help”

• Scout vs. soldier: It’s often easy to become preoccupied with winning an argument at any cost, and some experts describe this tendency as the “soldier mindset.” It’s much healthier, however, to develop a “scout mindset,” which is exemplified by a pursuit of the truth … even if it means you’re not always going to be right. Author Julia Galef described it like this: “the motivation to see things as they are, not as you wish they were.”
• Don’t oversimplify: Another common trap that clouds our thinking is looking at every issue as a choice between two opposites. Instead, reality often lies somewhere in the middle, and being able to look at the “gray area” between black and white is an excellent skill to hone in your life.
• Something to prove: We all have preconceived biases that can contribute to our inability to think clearly and rationally in various situations. But through a practice known as “falsification,” it’s possible to challenge those beliefs. Instead of just accepting that what you believe is automatically true, consciously trying to disprove those assumptions will either allow you to develop new beliefs or give you greater confidence in your convictions.
• Benefit of the doubt: When we’re involved in a disagreement or believe that someone is attacking our point of view, the human tendency is to attribute malice to the other person’s behavior. This can hinder our ability to reach a resolution, whereas “charitable thinking” allows us to assume the best in a person’s motives, thereby increasing the chances of a positive outcome.

Chris Agee July 15th, 2024

Share this story: