Have you ever wondered what it takes to unravel a complex problem or make a difficult decision? Do you have any idea about the basic needs of the hour to be an outstanding performer at work? Critical thinking skills have been said as one of the most valuable skill sets in current times— may it be at the workplace or even in our everyday lives.
According to a survey conducted in 2014 among 400 employees, 91% of individuals believe that critical thinking is part of being successful in the workplace. This only means that the lack of critical thinking skills could hamper success in your job.
If you think you haven’t developed a robust critical thinking skill just yet, don’t worry! We have prepared some ways in which you can hone critical thinking skills in no time.
1. Question Assumptions
As humans, we make a lot of assumptions. We assume things in our workplace, relationships, and ourselves— but remember this, whenever you make assumptions, your basically making a fool out of yourself.
Making assumptions lessens the chances of innovation, but when you spare some time to question these assumptions, it spirals into a comprehensive critical thinking process, which leads to more ingenious ideas.
Make it a habit to re-assess everything that you know, as this is one of the most effective ways to develop your critical thinking.
2. Become Self-Aware
The word “self-awareness” is quite self-explanatory, yet simple as it may be— it is something that many of us lack. Basically, being self-aware means being more self-aware of the values you have, your thought cycles, and your morals. Moreover, you’re simultaneously developing your critical thinking skills when you are self-aware.
The more you think about your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and other things that define your personality, your critical thinking skills are honed. Becoming self-aware will also enable you to see the necessity to develop critical thinking skills.
3. Adopt TedEd’s 5-Step Process
This life we have is filled with dilemmas and vagueness for everyone. Every single day, we come across bewildering situations when making decisions on confusing matters. Though these decisions may be insignificant and trivial, we ought to drive a prudent move since they can leave a powerful influence on our lives.
Hence, in 2016, TedEd drafted five simple steps that can help you think critically to solve various kinds of challenging problems.
First, you need to understand and plan out a question. This simply implies that you must comprehend the grounds why you are pushing through a particular decision. It’s important for you to apprehend the facts and biases that surround the decision you’re about to make.
Second, you need to accumulate a pile of information. This is basically just an extension of the first process but way more thorough. This is the stage where you amass relevant information that could influence your decision.
The next and most important step is application. In this stage, you need to take action and devote everything that you have discovered to the latter steps. At this point, you need to start thinking critically by asking critical questions. Identify if you are being logical in your decision or if you’re slipping up and are making assumptions at any point.
The answers to these questions will help you uncover the underlying implication behind your decision, which can reinforce the conclusions you have in your head.
The fourth step is understanding the implications of your decisions. For instance, you have paid a thousand bucks for a business class. You need to look ahead and think of the implications of this action if things don’t go according to plan. Consider the long-term and the short-term consequences, as it will help you see things more clearly.
Lastly, widen your own point of view instead of looking at the lens of other people.
4. Learn to Investigate
Gather and investigate every single piece of evidence you can find in a particular situation. If you have been in that situation in the past, how did you react to it? What are the lessons you have learned from your experience?
After pondering on these questions, collect and analyze data, outlining facts of the situation and what every fact means for you. The next thing to do is to make conclusions from your investigation finally.
5. Be A Daydreamer
In a study conducted at the University of British Columbia University, the area of the brain that is focused on problem-solving is also the area of the brain that lights up during daydreaming. Whenever you daydream, you build new and intricate worlds and interesting ideas.
In order to consecutively activate the executive network of your brain that improves critical thinking, you should let your mind wander, daydreaming as much as possible.
6. Be Open to Other POVs
If you want to widen your knowledge, you need to be open to other people’s points of view. Explore the ideas of other people and take a closer look at them.
In most circumstances, arguments take place because someone cannot accept another person’s point of view. Sometimes, it also emerges from internal conflict simply because we refuse to believe more than our own point of view.
If you would limit yourself to just one point of view, you are depriving yourself of the opportunity to examine situations from other angles.
7. Accept Criticisms
Unlike what most people think, criticisms don’t actually suck, and it isn’t an irrational attack on your creative effort. In fact, accepting criticism is a great way to get better at the things you do. Rather than looking at constructive criticisms as an attack on your work or personality, learn to look at them as an opportunity to recognize your work.
