A checklist on how to think more clearly

I have recently written a short e-mail course on how to think more clearly. While the entire course is pretty long I want to share a checklist that summarizes the entire course and is easy to digest.

Course summary:

• Consciously slow down your thinking if decisions are important. Your “system 1” often spits out answers quickly but using “system 2” gives you better answers.

Thinking fast and slow

• Use the 3-step critical thinking process: 1) Understand the argument. 2) Evaluate the argument 3) Draw your own conclusion based on the facts.
• If you’re stuck on a problem, go through the list of mental models to see whether any may apply and guide you toward a solution.

Mental models improve clear thinking

• Schedule thinking time! Mark it on your calendar and don’t allow interruptions for at least one hour each week. Use this time to tackle work, problems, or any other topics that are dear to you.
• Meditate to get more of the gamma brain waves that allow for fast and powerful information processing.
• Breathing is linked to cognitive functions. Twice a day use the 4–7–8 method. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath 7 seconds, and exhale through your mouth for 8.
• Use the pomodoro technique for optimal concentration over longer periods of time (25 minutes work + 5 minute break + relax for 20 minutes every 2 hours).

The pomodoro technique breaks work into chunks

• Let your eyes roam if you have trouble remembering something.
• Use embodied cognition to your advantage. For example, nod/shake your head to influence your thoughts and frown to go into critical thinking mode.
• Look at someone’s pupil size to see how engaged they are in the conversation.
• Music affects your brain waves. Find out which music helps you concentrate best, usually music without vocals.
• Eat for your brain. You need about 8 glasses of water, 120g of glucose, 250mg of omega-3 fats, and 500mg of choline daily. Find recipes with detailed nutritional data here.

Thinking enhancing foods

• Work out regularly — just enough to get your heart rate up and get that precious oxygen flowing to your brain.
• Try to space out your vacation days over the year in 8 day blocks for optimal recovery.

The quality of your thoughts is proportional to what you know and remember. It is therefore important to improve your memory (there is also an 10-episode email course on how to improve your memory specifically).

If you want to dig in the entire course, you can read it with a free sign up here: https://gohighbrow.com/portfolio/learning-how-to-think-clearly/

If you’re interested in this kind of content follow me on twitter @theurbansky

:David