How to learn to think more clearly and holistically

Notice the loops of habits

From the point of view of popular psychology, habit formation is a simple loop: a trigger, a habitual action, a reward. In the world around us, we are faced with something that serves as a trigger. The latter triggers an action that we have learned to perform in similar circumstances in the course of previous experience. The reward we receive for the action becomes the reinforcement of the loop. This is how a habit arises.

Take a closer look at your daily life and you will notice such loops in it. Our brains are designed to find patterns. We recognize and assimilate them so that we can use them later in the future.

Habits help us not to waste time thinking when we find ourselves in similar situations, and thus save energy.

In the same way as habitual actions, habitual thinking patterns are formed. As we grow up, we learn to recognize patterns around us and internalize what seems valuable. But over time, we get stuck in these thought loops, which is why we see events from only one side. This is partly why it is difficult for us to change our minds about a subject. The brain has learned something in one context and then mistakenly tries to apply it in others.

It is not necessary to break the loops of habits, although it is possible. Just don't forget about them and don't let them limit your thinking.

Diversify thought models

No one in the world thinks in exactly the same way, because everyone's life is at least a little different. Each of us at different times is faced with different problems and reacts to them in his own way. This reaction depends on our natural qualities and upbringing.

Differing thought patterns are what makes everyone their own self. Our identity is formed from the interaction of these models. They create a subjective perception of a person.

Basically, a model of thinking is a hidden rule of thumb that we use to tie together different sides of reality.

And since reality is very complex, it is useful to have many models of thinking in your arsenal. The more diverse they are, the more accurate the idea of the world.

These patterns are made up of loops of habits that we form in response to external impressions. Therefore, the only way to diversify them is to look for new and conflicting experiences. For example, reading books, being in unfamiliar surroundings, conducting thought experiments.

conclusions

In the process of development, we form habitual patterns of behavior and thinking. We unconsciously use them so as not to waste cognitive resources every time. The problem is, it's very easy to get stuck in one familiar model. After all, it does not suit all situations, as a result of which misunderstandings and discontent arise.

To avoid this, internalize as many different models of thinking as possible. Ideally, you need to notice when you are using the wrong one and switch to another.