The Skill You've Never Been Taught: How to Think Better and Innovate

The Skill You've Never Been Taught: How to Think Better and Innovate

No skill is more valuable and harder to come by than the ability to critically think through problems. Unfortunately, schools don't teach us a method of thinking. Thinking is something that can be learned, but it can't be directly taught. Good decisions create time, while bad ones consume it. This is why it's crucial to develop the skill of thinking.

We live in a society that thrives on multitasking. However, research shows that the more people multitask, the worse they become, not just at other mental abilities, but at multitasking itself. Multitasking impairs our ability to think effectively and efficiently. It hinders our mental filing system, making it harder to keep information organized and retrieve it quickly.

Thinking means concentrating on one thing long enough to develop an idea about it. The best writers, for example, write much more slowly than everyone else. They understand that their best thinking happens when they slow down and concentrate. By giving their brains a chance to make associations, draw connections, and take them by surprise, they arrive at original ideas.

The busiest people are often the ones who make the worst decisions. They are constantly rushing and don't give themselves enough time to think deeply about the problems they face. Busy people spend a significant amount of time correcting poor decisions. If we want to think better, we need to schedule time to think and hone our understanding of the problem at hand.

In Tony Fadell's talk on design, he emphasizes the importance of not getting too accustomed to everyday things. Habituation is a natural process that allows our brains to focus on new experiences and learning. However, it can become a hindrance when it prevents us from noticing the problems around us.

Fadell's first tip for better thinking is to look broader. When tackling a problem, it's essential to take a step back and examine all the steps that lead up to that problem. By doing so, we can identify opportunities to change, combine, or even remove certain steps altogether, ultimately making the process better.

The second tip is to look closer. By focusing on the tiny details that we may overlook, we can question their importance and challenge the way things have always been done. This attention to detail can lead to innovative solutions by finding ways to eliminate unnecessary elements.

Fadell's final piece of advice is to think younger. The more exposed we are to something, the more we become accustomed to it. However, children haven't been around long enough to become habituated to the world. They approach problems with fresh eyes and immediately try to solve them, often finding better solutions along the way. Incorporating young minds or people with a young mindset into our teams can help us think from different frameworks and perspectives, fostering innovation.

Innovation often comes from younger individuals or those from different domains because they see problems from a fresh perspective. Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is when he or she grows up, is how to remain an artist." This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a curious and open mindset throughout our lives.

In conclusion, thinking is a skill that we must cultivate and prioritize. It requires slowing down, concentrating, and giving ourselves the time and space to develop original ideas. Additionally, we must challenge our habits and ways of doing things by looking broader, looking closer, and thinking younger. By incorporating these actionable pieces of advice, we can enhance our thinking abilities, make better decisions, and foster innovation in our lives and work.