Think Deeper: Upgrade your HQ&A Notes with Up, Down, and Across (Pt 3)

Think Deeper: Upgrade your HQ&A Notes with Up, Down, and Across (Pt 3)

In order to truly enhance our understanding of a text and become more original thinkers, we must focus on the quality of the questions we ask. The Highlight, Question, and Answer (HQ&A) technique is a valuable tool that can help us achieve this.

But how can we prime our minds to surface better questions? One effective method is to challenge ourselves and approach new ideas as a test to our imagination. Instead of simply pointing out reasons why an idea may not work, we should strive to come up with reasons why it could work. By doing this, we train ourselves to think more creatively and open our minds to new possibilities.

Another important factor to consider when embracing new ideas is the subconscious expectation of failure. When someone takes on an ambitious project, those around them often unconsciously or consciously expect them to fail. This is because if they were to succeed, they would surpass the expectations and achievements of those around them. It is important to recognize this tendency and not let it hinder our pursuit of ambitious endeavors. Being "humble" does not equate to doing good work. In fact, many successful individuals in various fields have been found to have a slightly overconfident mindset. As G.H. Hardy once said, a little bit of overconfidence can be beneficial.

Navigating the challenging stages of ambitious projects can be made easier by surrounding ourselves with the right people. By assembling a support system of individuals who will challenge and critique us, we create a counterflow to the headwinds of society. However, it is important to note that simply surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us is not enough. We need colleagues who will candidly point out our flaws and shortcomings. Just like the ugly duckling needed companions who would tell it the truth, we too need peers who will not sugarcoat our mistakes.

Studying the history of accomplished individuals and their early works can also provide valuable insights. However, it can be difficult to find this information as many individuals are hesitant to publicize their early works due to feelings of embarrassment or inadequacy. Even they made mistakes along the way. Yet, if we are able to clearly see the initial stages of someone's journey towards greatness, we may be surprised by how weak and vulnerable they once appeared.

To summarize, the HQ&A technique is a powerful tool for deepening our understanding of texts and honing our critical thinking skills. By challenging ourselves to come up with reasons why an idea could work instead of focusing solely on why it may not work, we can cultivate a more imaginative mindset. It is also important to be aware of the societal tendency to expect failure and not let it deter us from pursuing ambitious projects. Surrounding ourselves with colleagues who will candidly critique us and studying the early works of successful individuals can also aid us on our journey towards original thinking.

Actionable advice:

• 1. Challenge yourself to come up with reasons why an idea could work instead of focusing solely on its potential flaws. This will help you cultivate a more imaginative mindset and open yourself up to new possibilities.

• 2. Be aware of the subconscious expectation of failure and do not let it hinder your pursuit of ambitious projects. Embrace a slightly overconfident mindset and believe in your abilities to succeed.

• 3. Surround yourself with colleagues who will candidly critique your work and point out your flaws. Seek out constructive feedback and learn from your mistakes in order to grow and improve as an original thinker.

In conclusion, by incorporating the HQ&A technique into our note-taking process and adopting a mindset that embraces challenges, overcomes societal expectations, and seeks constructive criticism, we can deepen our understanding of texts, enhance our critical thinking skills, and become more original thinkers.