Have you and do you pay attention to your thoughts, seriously?!  Truth is, if we desire to navigate our emotional landscape well, we need to be aware of what and how we think!  

Science has shown, we engage various modes of thinking daily. Even though, we don’t pay attention or take time to distinguish our thoughts. This conversation we are about to embark on will center on how important it is to be aware of the abovementioned types of thinking.

You see, our thoughts and feelings are the #1 – #2 punch that lead and secure genuine positive change. Our discernment will benefit in making more sound and better decisions. This is the sister … part 2 – Know Thyself.

Trumpets Sound! The “3” Amigos of thinking…

“Wherever there is personal discord and conflict, these three will be there to see you through…”

Amigo #1 Critical

Do you think critically?

First things first, let’s hit a definition of what is “critical thinking.” A noun: the intentional analysis and assessment of an issue, personal or otherwise, to form a judgment.

Problem – No assessment, life no workie

I said above, we all think, it’s natural. However, much of our thinking, left to its own devices, will be JACKED UP!  So, what am I saying? Our thoughts have the greatest potential to be biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, and downright prejudiced!  YIKES!!

Here’s the RUB…. Slapdash and careless thinking is Exxxpensive. The quality of one’s thoughts must be cultivated bit by bit. Our thoughts can and will determine what we create in/as our life experience and variance will appear if not consistent.

Outcome of workie…So, what to do, what to do?

When we assess the information surrounding the question, issue or frustration, our inferences (personal opinion(s), guesses, allegations, main impression(s), and point of view) come into play. Check for clarity, truth, care, strength, common sense, and fairness. 

It’s best to identify and question the issue and purpose of the thought. I can bet cha, by doing the above, we all can cultivate the ability to think critically. 

A lot HUH?!? That’s not all. Bonus, some more good stuff….

• The facility to now raise very important questions to clear and precise problems
• Possess the ability to collect and evaluate available and correct information
• Develop a well-reasoned and commonsense conclusion
• Create a habit of thinking with an open-mind concerning personal assumptions and realistic consequences
• Learn how to craft improved and effective solutions to difficult problems

I think we can see the benefit of critical thinking as among the first instruments to help navigate emotional wellness.  Be it for no other reason, it will condition the mind to examine the form and function of everything you encounter.

As well, please be mindful, critical thinking without knowledge is embarrassingly inactive, kind of like Wonder Woman without her Magic Lasso!! DOH!  So a gentle reminder, thought and knowledge need each other. 

Onward to our next compadre in this trio …. reflective thinking. 

Amigo #2 Reflective

You’re thinking…reflect on WHAT?

It’s like this…. critical thinking and reflective thinking are often used to mean the same, there’s a difference and also a kindred purpose. Critical thinking describes the situation, issue, challenge etc.; it’s precise controlled calculated thinking, period.

In comparison, reflective thinking is dynamic determination with watchful consideration (personal beliefs and the further conclusions based on this knowledge).

Part of the thinking process, active reflective thinking presents a bridge between the gap in your problem-solving strategies and your goal. Reflection as a practice will presents immense benefits in increasing your self-awareness, another key component to develop a better understanding of self and others. Whoomph! there it is!

Now, Let’s strike Up the Boogie…Hit it!!

Amigo #3 Positive  

Think emotion healthy like your life depends on it…It does!

In everyday life, we’re faced with all kinds of positive and negative events throughout the day, and these events echo our inner thought life. You see, that seemingly never-ending out pouring of thoughts can be both positive or negative…. Plain & Simple! 

Some of this is self-talk is just commonsensical meanderings, and sometimes it’s based on misconceptions from a lack of information (thus the cause of some dis-ese).

We always have a choice of how to respond to any situation, personal or professional. May I suggest, get yo’ facts right, first. That’s how we handle the *SCHTUFFY* (yes, I said schtuffy!) self-talk.

Truthfully, our mental strength lies in meeting and interpreting these events. Paramount in this process is our optimism and positive thoughts to act as a stress and dis-ease reducer.

A healthy dose of positivity, information, and self-knowledge does the trick every time. You are now engaging in stress management and BOOM BAM you feel better! Not to be misunderstood, being optimistic and rosy doesn’t mean you walk around Laddie-da!!

The BOOM BAM EFFECT in Effect

Our approach and how we handle the inevitable unpleasantness of life can ultimately add more confidence, positivity, effective and productive problem-solving skills to the ole’ personal development tool box.

Opportunities for growth become more apparent because you choose to adopt a more positive and flexible perspective regardless of what’s going ON! It simply means taking the time to consider and expect a better outcome and not the opposite.

**A chief point to consider… “OUR thoughts in OUR head will dictate OUR outlook on OUR life — positive thought reaps positive action!” NdrB *mic drop*

A purposeful journey through thinking

Why did we take this little journey? Okay, I’ll tell you.

When we engage these ways of thinking on the reg, we help ourselves to manage anything life can throw at us! I can’t stress how necessary it is to recognize how you’re thinking every day. 

The bonus from this practice is our thoughts become a more directed activity through critical, reflective, and positive thinking processes.

Remember the indispensable message here… we write, direct, and co-create our life. You can always RE-create, change course (if the scenery is not pleasing) and write something new.

Practice conscious thinking, be present, and engage every moment, every joy, every victory, every glory!

With Mighty Love, I encourage you to be curious and question. Manage like a boss!

Stay Golden

💃afm/NdrB

Why it is important?

“Know thyself,” is an instrumental element to successful personal management. I’m talking about self-control and knowing your personal power.

A business management guru named Peter F. Drucker, discussed the importance of self-knowledge in one’s personal and professional career and life. I’m going to conceptually use “Drucker’s” thoughts to present a manner of thinking for personal management.

Drucker made the following statement, he said “do not try to change yourself – you are unlikely to succeed. work to improve the way you achieve” (2005).

Environmental B.S.

I would like to emphasize the importance of doing a scan (internal and external) and to ask the uncomfortable and maybe hard questions. These questions are the ideas to supply some structure to the process for positive maximization. So, I propose, an examination of the — who, what, where and how — of life. We’ll call ‘em the “4” Quadrants, UBetcha!!

***Hopefully, this exercise will be an adventure and aid in gaining better self-knowledge***

Quad 1 …. Who “R” U?

Drucker stated, “to do anything well, one needs to cultivate a deep understanding of self.” Period! This kind of knowledge doesn’t happen overnight, by golly, but it can and does happen. It’s about setting intentions to not only know your strengths and weakness but also how you learn, work, and what your values are (important stuff to know!).

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Desires
• Intentions

In knowing all this, YOU come into the fullness and beauty of SELF.  We can perform better through this knowledge as a benefit to develop ourselves in immeasurable ways. Enhance your Super Powers!

Quad 2 …. What Can U Do? 

To self-manage with some success, one must ask, “what are my values?”  This question has everything to do with — what you will and will not tolerate! I know, Easier said than done, tolerance can be tricky, Right?! You see, if we allow, people will put us in some very interesting and challenging situations.

However, you do not have to attend every drama-laden, angst-ridden, occurrence in your life!

Check it out, consistent interaction with people whose value system are incompatible and unacceptable to ours leads to both frustration and non-activity.

• Focus
• Integrity
• Balance

Edit people out of your life who challenge your values, Ruthlessly and Often! I approve of this message.

Quad 3 …. Where R U Going?

The choice is definitively in your hands. The answers to bullet #2 “what you will and will not tolerate,” is an enormous enabler. You know the answers concerning your strengths, values, and achievements, and thus, can discern where to commit and decide where you don’t belong.

One can say to any challenge, opportunity, or offer, YES! with confidence. Whether this YES is…. I can handle that, I can do that, or I will do that! This definiteness of purpose makes for the kind of results one can expect because this is “who YOU are.”

Quad 3 … How Do U Do U?

There has been research that shows few people know how they get things done. I think we can agree; different people do things differently. So, ask yourself how you “learn, work, and achieve?”

The following may be an even more important point, like your strengths, how you learn, work, and achieve is unique and a matter of your personality. Find your sweet spot for productivity.

It comes down to “2” things…what rocks your boat and does it add value to your life?

• Learn
• Apply
• Achieve

daTOOL…A lil Worksheet!

So, lovelies, here’s a link to a downloadable assessment to aid in getting some Mo’ knowledge. 

Get your research on with this worksheet…personal development

To know is life Enhancing!  I encourage your personal success = be curious, think, and manage like a BOSS!

Stay Golden

💃afm/NdrB

Songvibe… High Hopes/Panic @ the Disco