Generally Speaking #023 - Practice Makes Us...Adequate
Thinking is an active skill. Like any active skill, it will diminish without regular use.
<stunned silence>
“WTF is he talking about!?”
“You can teach thinking. You can learn thinking. But if you don't practice thinking you'll never get better.”
~ Derek Cabrera
As generalists, how we think sets us apart. The ability to think more deeply, to ask the questions and create meaning is what allows generalists to build their knowledge base of information, gain the understanding and not feel overwhelmed no matter the topic.
Many people don’t understand how important thinking is.
Read the above statement again. I’ll wait.
Taken on face value, it seems like a silly statement. You’re probably thinking to yourself that I’m stating the obvious. After all, everyone thinks. Right?
Here, I’ll make another “obvious” statement - people do not understand how important thinking is or the potential they leave “on the table”.
And the main reason for leaving behind this potential? Not actively practising this skill.
That’s right, PRACTISING thinking.
Thinking is no different than any other skill. If you don't practice you don't get better.
“You can improve how you think by being aware of the processes that you use to think.”
~ Derek Cabrera
People think (no pun intended) that thinking just happens. They assume there is nothing to learn or practice about thinking because we’re thinking all the time. Like breathing.
But we’re not. Not actively, and that’s where the practice and growth happens.
So, what is thinking? I’m glad you asked. Dr Cabrera puts it succinctly:
“Thinking is the processes that you use to organise information and make meaning out of it.”
Simple, isn’t it?
Let’s try that again now. Do you think that you are always thinking?
Until next time.
P.S. I highly recommend listening to this podcast. It will change your relationship to, and understanding of, thinking.
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