14 ways to develop analytical thinking

What is analytical thinking

A person is endowed with several types of thinking, but one always prevails over the rest. Analytical thinking is consistent. People addicted to it process a large block of information, dividing it into major parts and exploring each component step by step. To do this, they must also have developed logical thinking.

Analytical thinking implies the search for new information, its study and systematization, as well as the conclusions drawn from the data obtained.

This type of thinking requires facts, a detailed study of the issue, an emphasis on small things, the ability to compare data and draw conclusions. When we talk about the mathematical mindset, we mean precisely the propensity for analytical thinking.

A person with an analytical type of thinking should be able to:

collect information;
work with a large amount of data;
divide general information into component parts according to certain criteria;
compare data and find relationships;
objectively evaluate information;
think logically;
express thoughts consistently;
work with facts;
correctly prioritize, separating the main from the secondary;
think critically (question the information received);
look for alternative options;
draw conclusions.

Why analytical thinking is useful

Well-developed analytical thinking allows you to timely and efficiently cope with even the most difficult task and find several possible options for solving it.

A person with predominantly analytical thinking makes deliberate and balanced decisions, knows how to plan and make forecasts of his activities.

Employees with such qualities are highly valued in companies. In any professional field, the ability to quickly find a decent way out of a difficult situation will be an advantage. By the way, this ability will come in handy in everyday life.

How to develop analytical thinking

Analytical thinking can be trained and developed.

1. Solve logic puzzles

For analytical thinking, logic is important. If this is your weak point, then start exercising. Choose simple tasks at first, gradually moving to difficult ones.

2. Solve math examples

Find a math textbook and remember your high school days. Choose complex examples that have variable values.

3. Do crosswords

And when you have hundreds of solutions behind you, try to compose your own. It is quite difficult.

4. Solve puzzles

Collect puzzles, solve puzzles or try to solve a Rubik's cube.

5. Play chess

Find an opponent and remember the rules of the game. Chess is an excellent trainer for analytical thinking.

6. Read books

You can choose detective stories, for example, about Sherlock Holmes, fiction or specialized literature. Ask questions: why did the hero do this in this situation, what else could be done?

7. Analyze situations from everyday life

Train critical thinking, doubt, look for facts and new information when watching the news or reading a book. Pay attention to details, look at things from a new angle and look for non-obvious relationships between a variety of objects, compare facts.

8. Learn something new every day

Pick a topic that interests you and find one fact about it a day.

9. Look for alternatives

Don't dwell on one solution to the problem - look for more. Think about what you might have missed, process the information several times and draw conclusions.

10. Participate in discussions

Discuss books, films, historical events, whatever. You will hear the other person's opinion and will be able to share yours about the same event, give arguments and practice in a coherent presentation of thoughts. Ask the interlocutor for feedback: let him tell you how convincing your arguments were, and how consistent your thoughts were.

11. Ask yourself how things around you work

Ask yourself questions about the things around you or the situations you face. Why does it happen, how does it work, why does it happen? Answer them, but don't look for easy ways. Understand the problem and give yourself a comprehensive answer.

12. Create a mind map

A mind map, a mind map, a mind map is a way to visualize the thought process. The mechanics are simple: you have a key thought that you put in the very center of the map. Let it be Development of Analytical Thinking. To it, you add elements related in meaning or significance, for example: methods of development, difficulties, reasons - everything that seems important to you. Then you supplement the map with new associative rows from each element. And a picture of your thought process appears in front of you.

You can create such a map on a computer, phone or tablet using special tools. But you can also take a regular sheet of paper (be prepared that there may not be enough space).

13. Write down

Keep a diary in which you write down your goals, how you achieve them, and results. Work on mistakes if the goal has not been achieved. Look for reasons and analyze.

14. Simulate situations

Think of any situation that has a problem and try to fix it. Develop an algorithm of actions and do not dwell on one solution - look for more.

Do brain exercises on a daily basis - most of them do not take much time and do not require special conditions. You can develop analytical thinking if you follow the regularity and set yourself challenging tasks.