Wear the ‘thinking hat’

Most of our problems originate from erroneous thinking just as right solutions spring from right thinking. Thinking determines success and happiness in life. But we think that thinking is as natural as breathing.

Most of our problems originate from erroneous thinking just as right solutions spring from right thinking. Thinking determines success and happiness in life. But we think that thinking is as natural as breathing.

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We take the myth for granted that intelligent people think well and others can’t. Thinking is a skill and does not have much to do with intelligence. It is a fundamental human skill which can be cultivated, developed and sharpened with simple knowledge, practice and, above all, willingness.

Usually erroneous thinking giving rise to problems is based on partial or selective way of perception. Edward de Bono, author of more than 60 books in 40 languages, developed the concept of lateral thinking. He taught the subject in universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and delivered talks amongst a host of Nobel laureates. Let us take a lesson from him.

Bono has developed a five-stage process or framework of thinking- TO, LO, PO, SO and GO. TO refers to where we are going, or the aims, objectives and the purpose of thinking which determine the direction of thinking. LO involves looking into the information needed, available and accumulation of the same. PO refers to the stage of generating every alternative possibility and solution. SO involves selection of the best from the available alternatives. Finally GO involves going ahead or action steps. Evidently the emphasis is more on perception and information from which decisions flow.

Thus the outcome of thinking becomes a product of systematic process involving logical flow and requisite emotions.