Deeper Dive into
What’s Missing
To figure out if something that’s being said is true or possible, try this technique: make a quick mental list of any other things we can think of that may be involved no matter how minor.
For example, we all wish that someone would come along and save the world, and we might join their movement because of the great ideas and plans they propose.
But in order to implement just one of those ideas or plans what else is involved in making it a reality?
This may involve other sections of the government that must approve it, the financial backing the effort needs, the complexity of implementing it, the forces that resist change, an adequate amount of public support, and much more.
What are we noticing?
We’re noticing the things that are missing using the Quick List method.
Insights
The Quick List Method
The example that we give above of wanting a leader to come and solve all our problems is a great example that comes up often and we can all relate to. It’s an easy example to remember when considering if something people are promising is oversimplified and misrepresented.
Take everything we have on our to do lists, or the things we want to do “someday” and they’ll all take much longer than we expect because of the additional things we forgot we also had to accomplish to just get that one simple thing done! It seemed simple at first anyway.
What are you going to make for dinner tonight? Something easy and simple. 😀
We Can Only Keep A Few To Several Things In Mind At Once
This is a very real limitation of our minds.
If anything has more components than a few to several, like the things we need to pick up at the grocery store, or perhaps all the things that need to get done for Timmy’s birthday party with 20 of his closest freinds, then we have to get out a piece of paper and write it down, or use a computer.
Only being able to consider a few things at a time is one of the big reasons why it’s hard to always be mindful of the actual list of things that go into getting something done, or being the leader of a country.
What can we do right now?
The next thing that comes along that seems easy to get done, we can practice the Quick List Method and rattle off in our head, or on a piece of paper, all the other things that are also a part of accomplishing it.
When we rattle off these things in our head, we will quickly forget what they are because we are humans, not computers. But the benefit is that we WILL remember that it’s probably going to take longer than we thought.
Others can give us the false impression that just the desire to do something good is all you need to accomplish it. But no, it’s probably pretty complicated and pretty difficult.
ClearThinkingCampaign.org
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Get out there and practice, practice, practice thinking clearly with your friends and family. Help refine what people say rather than reject it. Try to say what you want in the form of a question. You can also send people here and not say a word. The huge benefit from all this is that it won’t be long until people and the world won’t be able to mess with you anymore. People will notice that about you and will want to know how you did it. Be strong and have your own ideas, style and identity. We’re all in this together.