Thinking Skills Part 9

Build your vocabulary

We use words, not only to communicate with others, but also to communicate with ourselves. Words are symbols that act as a shorthand for objects, actions and concepts. In order to communicate more effectively, and to think more effectively, we must have an adequate arsenal of words to use.

Reading is a great way to build your vocabulary. Read material that is interesting to you, and look up words that you don’t understand. When writing, use a thesaurus to learn different ways to express things.

Don’t allow yourself to become lazy with the language you use. Avoid the use of slang expressions. Slang expressions are a poor substitute for actual descriptions. Slang does not communicate precisely. Instead of saying something like “that new film is a piece of crap” say “that new film has a very weak plot, the musical score is so loud you can’t hear the dialogue, and the acting is terrible.” Similarly, avoid the use of cliches. Cliches in your language lead to cliches and oversimplifications in your thinking.

Stop and listen

When conversing with other people, instead of trying to think of what you will say next, really listen to what the other person is saying. Seek to understand his or her point of view. Concentrate on their words, and not on your own internal dialogue. Block out all other distractions, and really focus on what the other person is saying.

This is challenging, to be sure. Your natural instinct is to let your mind wander. You tend to want to focus on any little thing, like a speck in the speaker’s eye, or the small stain on his shirt sleeve.

It takes real effort to concentrate and to listen effectively. And that’s just the point. Focused listening will improve your concentration skills, and sharpen your thinking. As an added benefit, you’ll learn something, too.

Increase your attention span

Effective thinking requires you to hold several things in your mind at once. Many important facts and concepts cannot be grasped in just a minute or two. The pervasive influence of television has given us the expectation of instant understanding. That is unfortunate, because there are many worthwhile things to learn and contemplate, beyond those which can be explored in a 30-second sound byte.

You can dramatically sharpen your thinking skills by increasing your attention span. One way to boost your attention span is to do just one thing at a time. When you jump from one project to another, it makes your attention “muscles” flabby and weak. Focusing your attention on one thing for long periods of time, will give you a powerful, sustained attention span. Like everything else that is worthwhile, it takes effort and practice. After a lifetime of watching TV, you’re not going to sit down for five hours and stay focused on a single project. You can, however, work yourself in that direction.

Eliminating distractions, and the need for distractions, will also help to build your attention span. Stop eating and drinking at your desk — this includes snacks. Practice focusing on your work, and then stop and eat when you’re truly hungry. And don’t be a clock watcher. Take breaks when you need them, not when the clock tells you to. Work to lengthen the time between breaks.

A good attention span is a powerful tool in your arsenal of thinking skills. Practice paying attention and focusing on your work.
<:))))><<