In the age of streaming video and audiobooks, many people turn to listening as their primary way of learning new ideas. This has some cognitive risks that aren’t generally considered. If you are concerned with your operational intelligence, i.e., your ability to think and communicate effectively, here are some facts about how ideas get stored […] The post Listening vs. Reading vs. Talking vs. Writing appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions
In my previous article, I explained what dysfunctional states are and why you need to “reboot” your mind when you get into one. But I kept to the simple ones: overload, confusion, and blankness. Conflict, meaning the experience of emotions pulling you in multiple directions, can also be a dysfunctional state — one that is […] The post Intense Emotional Conflict as a Dysfunctional State appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions
After back-and-forths with some Thinking Labbers, I’ve got a lead to what causes some people to bog down in thinking about issues and never get into action. It’s popular to say that such people are “overthinking” and need “a bias for action.” But inaction is a symptom of the problem, not the problem per se. […] The post Thoughts on “Overthinking” appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions
When the desire for approval is driving many decisions, it is a “defense value.” It distorts your choices and actions and undercuts your successes and sense of self. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be remedied by taking an active approach to reprogramming your value hierarchy to eliminate this distortion. What is a defense […] The post How to Deal with a Defense Value of Approval appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions
Based on some comments I made in a coaching call, a Thinking Labber wrote to me as follows: I’m fascinated by the idea that self-sacrifice is an easily activated context and not a habit. I’d love to learn more about that, but I’m not sure of the right questions to ask. I’m […] The post Activating a Context Versus Triggering a Habit appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions
There are three kinds of actions that mark a person as having an active mind. 1. You look beyond the obvious options and the obvious explanations to make sure you’ve got the full picture. 2. You do the introspective work to make your own values explicit, especially when you experience internal conflict. 3. You find […] The post The Active Mind appeared first on Thinking Directions.| Thinking Directions