This video is all about how to critically think.

Now, I’m going to go beyond what may be taught in schools.
I’m not here to help you pass your school exam or what have you.

Instead, we’ll get more practical.

It’s clear that there is an endless supply of sensory information flooding your way each second of every day.

So first, we’ll go into how to digest this content in appropriate quantities

Then, how to filter through internal and external biases

And with that, how to keep that filter fresh and clean

All before concluding with how to best act upon one’s newfound ability to critically think.

So before we begin, I’ll quickly say that this is not scientific rocketry.

It’s fairly simple, but extraordinarily important.

Because there will continue being news, rumors, opinions, headlines etc. and with that, the goal is not to be emotionally reactive to the point where we’re jumping to conclusions.

Let’s get into it.

First what is the difference between thinking and critically thinking?

Well, there’s an extra word in there.

and that extra word means that we’re shaking the stimuli down to its core.

You want to identify the truth of the matter at hand.

And don’t let me shock you when I say that the digital landscape has a whole lot more to it than the pure truth.

Alright, so, number one, we are taking in the five sensory information most frequently through visual and auditory modes.

Think, phones, computers, etc.

Now, I’m not claiming to be holier than thou in terms of what content is best to consume or even how much content you should take in.

Only you know how much information you should be taking in.

The only way to find out is to recognize how you feel.

Go within – Are you getting emotionally reactive to what’s being shown to you?

Are you letting the information that’s being shown to you dictate how you behave and operates in this world or with others?

Lastly, are you finding that the only way to uncover your own sense of purpose is through the consumption of information that ultimately distracts you from who you even know yourself to be?

Let’s go deeper:

So you’re taking in information through whatever modes and mediums you find joy in.

Next, it’s time to filter through our own biases.

And in the same vein, through the biases of others.

I’ll skip some legwork for you and see if you align with the following:

You’re taking in information that is either in harmony with your goals or distracts you from what you should be doing.

And others are presenting this information to you because because they want your attention.

There’s information being presented to you that goes beyond the truth because the truth does not always hold one attention.

In fact, oftentimes the truth may be the most simple information possible.

But, we live in a world where there’s more incentive to selfishly draw in views rather than selflessly provide the truth.

So, going back to it, recognize the mindset you are in when consuming information.

Doing so mindlessly will leave you passively being influenced by streams that do not have your best intentions in mind, or are simply put, not doing so to spread the fact of the matter.

When increasing your presence, the creator’s tone, their speech patterns, the words being used, the order of information being presented, etc. will begin standing out.

The creator may be doing this intentionally, or even unconsciously, but regardless, these points reflect the biases of others.

All right, so you’re filtering through biases from within and those identified externally.

Now, it’s important to be able to clean that filter through conscious and persistent reflection.

There are times where we think we’re being present and objective in the information we take in, but here are some practical exercises to partake in to confirm what you’re thinking:

1. Take both stances.

What must be true if either side of a story were to be correct?

Does it pass the test – that is your gut feeling?

With an increased presence, you’ll be able to know clear as day what your gut feeling is saying to you.

and 2. Take no stance.

Does your life change in any way if you were to not firmly attach yourself to one side of an outcome or the other?

This is an easy way of determining if something is important to your life or not.

Alright, you clean your filter, so now you’re able to act upon your newfound ability to critically think – so what do you do?

Put your opinions out there.

Let your voice, your actions, and your behaviors be heard, felt, and seen.

And in doing so, you’re now under the scrutiny of others.

And with that, their ability to critically think about the stimuli that you’re putting out there.

And so that’s the cycle continues.

Balance out the amount that you’re taking in with the amount that you’re producing, so that you can restore peace of mind and clarity of thought.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you