“In order to grow we must be open to new ideas…new ways of doing things… new ways of thinking”.
People can no longer find the time to care for their families since the world is moving so quickly. Aside from deadlines, people need more time to reflect. People are quite busy these days! Everyone claims to be busy.
What’s the fix? God gave us life, but why? Does a life like this have any purpose if all we do is fight for something mostly pointless?
In this context, let us focus on reflective thinking, which offers remedies for various social ills and stresses in modern life.
Reflective Thinking (RT): What is it?
“reflective thought” was first used by John Dewey in his 1910 book How We Think for Teachers. “Active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusion to which it tends” is how psychologist Dewey (1933) defines reflective thinking.
However, over time, numerous changes have been made to the idea. RT, a technique developed by John C. Maxwell, sounds like a thinking chair and enables silent thought processes for organizing information and coming to judgments.
Thinking reflectively involves considering the actions you take to advance. It refines your strategy to accomplish your aims more quickly. It opens the door for you to succeed. It is among the components of your astute work.
Thinking reflectively goes beyond self-reflection. It entails examining prevailing mental patterns and trends. It clears your mind of extra and out-of-date concepts and insights, making room for and accommodating new ones.
It’s similar to removing unwanted files from any computer system and replacing them with desired data.
It gives your thoughts room to breathe. Pressures make it difficult for people not just to breathe correctly but also to think clearly. Therefore, reflective thinking is useful for thinking about and reflecting on novel concepts.
It improves your capacity for inventiveness. This idea has the potential to use our enormous human potential.
Benefits of introspection
Devoting little time to contemplative thinking can help people find greater purpose and productivity in their personal and professional lives. People sometimes follow routines without stopping to see the bigger picture, which leads to outmoded behaviours and nowhere to go.
The following are some benefits of thoughtful thought.
- Meaningful living comes from reflection. We break free from antiquated customs and routines.
- Analyzing your areas of strength and weakness is made easier with reflection.
- It assists you in determining your current performance level.
- It gives you the appropriate criticism. Similar to seclusion, introspection aids in situation assessment.
- It offers you chances for personal development.
- Whenever difficulties arise, you can use this tool to generate relevant thoughts.
- It gives you mental clarity by clearing your thoughts of clutter and confusion.
- It aids in solving problems.
- Above all, it efficiently uses your time.
Therefore, take some time to contemplate alone. Your mind engages in introspection and serves as an effective mirror for your thoughts, helping you modify your behaviour.
As Daniel Patrick Forrester correctly points out, Thomas Edison frequently grabbed his fishing rod, sat at the end of the pier, cast away, and then sat there for hours. This is an example of how important reflective thought can be. He would never, however, use bait on his hook. He had no desire to capture any fish. He desired to sit there and think about the day’s problems, his work, and any other thoughts that occurred to him. He knew no one would approach him if he pretended to be fishing, and he could think quietly. He was only interested in catching ideas.
Edison autographed numerous photos for friends and admirers, including notes from the visionary. “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits,” he said to a buddy. Thomas Edison, your friend It follows that it becomes evident that outstanding people take some time to think things through.
Observation and Overwhelming Information
The development of the Internet resulted in information overload. Since much information is readily available, people reflect and think less.
They frequently struggle to decide what to accept or reject. By the way, what do you mean by “information overload”? Let’s investigate.
Alvin Toffler first used the phrase “information overload” long before the Internet revolution. It refers to providing abundant information that disorients and clogs the human mind. As a result, people are unable to comprehend the actual material. It occasionally strays from the primary subject and field of interest.
In his book Success, John C. Maxwell states, “In the last thirty years, more new information has been produced than in the preceding five thousand years.” The New York Times, in a single weekday issue, has more knowledge than most people in seventeenth-century England will likely come across in their lifetimes.
Observation and Participation
Introspection falls short of reflection. It’s a creative question. Everyone needs to consider their impact on society. It is speaking to one’s inner voice and oneself. To what extent can a person benefit both themselves and others?
What value does a single person contribute? What impact does one person have on others? If everyone reflects, everyone will experience overall peace and prosperity.
Thinking back prepares the ground for action. It clears the path for achievement. It dismantles conventional boundaries and restrictions. People are forced to go beyond their comfort zones and skill levels. It enhances human capacity. It elevates your goals and desires. It fills the void between goals and achievements.
One of the best tools for maximizing human potential is reflection.
The human mind is a very potent tool. Its potential is immense, but the man only partially utilizes it. He must discover how to use it correctly. Reflective thinking helps make the most of human intellect and potential.
Additionally, in today’s society, mental clarity is essential for success. By clearing your mind of unnecessary thoughts, reflective thinking paves the path to success by making life easier to navigate and enabling you to conquer numerous challenges.
Long ago, Viktor Frankl penned Man’s Search for Meaning. It’s time to start looking within, clearing out unnecessary things, organizing your schedule, caring for your loved ones, and contributing to advancing humankind once more.
