What is Clear Thinking?

Unlike day-dreaming, where we allow our mind to wander from one random thought to another, clear thinking is directed, focused and controlled.

Indecisive, distracted and confused thinking occurs when our mind is cluttered with too many thoughts and desires. Clear Thinking, on the other hand, is the result of focusing our thoughts and desires.

It was Albert Einstein who said, “We cannot solve our problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” That is because all our problems are created by our mind, which is irrational and impulsive. An irrational and impulsive mind cannot solve anything. The only way to solve our problems is by using our reason, insight and proper judgement. This aptitude we all have and it is called our intellect – NOT to be confused with academic intelligence.

Intellect is our friend; our inner genius. It is our ability to think, focus, direct and quieten our mind. By using our intellect we empower ourselves to face life’s challenges with dignity, poise and ease, and create the life that we are meant to have and enjoy.

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” - Albert Einstein

Clear thinking is vital in today’s world, and it needs to be taught, learnt and practiced. Contrary to popular belief, we are not naturally endowed with the ability to think clearly. Most people believe thinking is “natural” and so easy that nobody need trouble themselves to learn how to do it!

This may be true with respect to cloudy and chaotic thinking, which spring from the mind, but it is far from true with respect to clear thinking, which emerges from the intellect.

To be able to think clearly we must be prepared to dedicate as much time and effort to learning and practicing the techniques, as we would to learning and practicing how to play golf, tennis or a musical instrument. When we apply ourselves diligently and master the techniques, then we reap the rewards of peace of mind, dynamic productivity, happiness and success.