What Do You Want?
I want. This is among the most powerful phrases that exists. Being specific about what you want increases the chances of you getting what you want. However, getting what you want is not quite as simple as deciding you want it. You can’t say to yourself, “I want to lose 10 pounds” and magically wake up the next day weighing 10 pounds less. First, you would need to think critically about what you want to determine the best course of action.
Critical Thinking and The Written Language
Writing is arguably the most useful tool to think critically as it, quite literally, separates you from your thoughts. This separation makes it easier for you to be more objective, consider multiple perspectives, and better organize your thoughts. When trying to make the right decisions to accomplish something you want, critical thinking is essential. Without doing so, you are far more likely to end up on the wrong path. Remember: there are an infinite number of ways to mess something up, but only a few ways to get it right. If you simply pick a target and start taking action before thinking critically about the situation, you are increasing the odds of failure.
How to Think Critically to Get What You Want
I recorded a podcast to explain an effective, step-by-step process on how to think critically to solve complex problems.
Here is a summary of each step:
Step 1: Create a General Problem Statement
Ask yourself, “what’s the problem I want to fix?” Write that down. Here are some examples of what you might write:
I don’t sleep well
I feel like something’s missing in my life
I don’t have enough money
I don’t feel happy
I’m stuck in my language studies
I feel angry all the time
I keep messing things up and feel like a failure
Step 2: Specify the Problem
Ask yourself who, what, where, when, why, and how questions to further specify the problem and get to the root of the issue. This is a crucial step because in most cases your General Problem Statement is not the real problem. It’s just a symptom of a deeper issue. I give multiple examples of this in the podcast episode.
Step 3: How Did You End Up Here?
Write a journal/diary-style or essay-style entry outlining how this problem manifested itself, along with your role in the problem. Even if you feel the problem is 95% someone else’s fault, it is highly likely that it is 5% your fault. Even if it is 100% someone else’s fault (or perhaps nobody’s fault), step 3 at least allows you to understand why you are this position and gives you an opportunity to take accountability for your reaction to the problem now that it has reared its head.
Step 4: Ask Yourself If You Are Open to Changing Your Behaviour
Just because you have identified a problem, it doesn’t mean you are willing to do anything about it. If this is the case, you should pick a smaller problem to solve.
Step 5: Heaven and Hell
Write out the consequences of not rectifying the problem as well a the benefits of rectifying it. Be specific. This gives you a Hell to run away from and a Heaven to run toward.
Step 6: Create an Action Plan
This is like a to-do list with actions that you feel would at least get you going in the right direction to solve the problem.
Step 7: Identify Restrainers
What might get in the way of you following the action plan? Write those potential obstacles down along with what you will do to overcome them should they arise.
Step 8: Act Every 24 Hours
Work on your action plan at least 15 minutes every 24 hours (more is better).
Don’t forget to listen to the podcast for a more detailed description of each step an additional examples of this process being used to solve real-life problems.