NezSez

I lead a busy life being a self-employed professional, and we live in such a fast-paced, media-dense society that we often let others make decisions for us. A maelstrom of messages — radio, print and television ads, social websites, packaging, etc. — all tell us what to buy, what to wear, what to eat, what to watch, etc., but sometimes following those messages is not really to our benefit.

The Need to Think

I think it’s very important to think for ourselves lest we get taken advantage of by others. Think of your email spam — why is there so much of it, unless…somehow…it works?

I’m guessing somewhere, somehow, despite what common sense says, someone is being taken by a spam because they did not take the time to think, or even follow the simple mantra: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

When we stop thinking for ourselves, that’s when we can become manipulated, both on an individual level, like a spam victim, and on a collective level — ever hear of the mob mentality?

I live in a society with “freedom of speech” and “freedom of the press”, but if we choose not to make decisions on our own, then why should this country’s forefathers have fought for its freedom?

Practice To Keep Sharp

In order to start thinking for ourselves — to employ the practices of critical thinking — I think it’s just as important to exercise our brain’s mental acuity as much as it is to exercise our bodies for physical health. Only then can we make the proper decisions to put us on the path positive living.

As such, here are my ideas for when to flex our mental muscles:

• Driving - I practice driving efficiently, so I often find my driving times to be perfect opportunities to think. To do this, though, I leave the radio or tape deck (people still have those? yeah, I do) off. It also helps to not have kids in the car the same time you want to do your thinking.
• Showering - I still try to keep my showers short, in order to conserve water (and money), but every once in a while I’ll let myself go and enjoy a longer shower. Instead of singing the latest teen hit (not that I know any), I use that time to think.
• Lying in bed at 4am in the morning awake - This may actually be the worst time, as I am actually depriving myself of much needed sleep — so this suggestion is with a caveat. But in any case, sometimes it’s actually the best time as it’s dark and quiet, that is, if your bedmate exhibits a low-snoring quotient.
• Walking - This one is one of those Two Birds with One Stone bits: a little cardiovascular exercise while thinking of the things I need to do.
• Waiting in line at the grocer’s - Do I pick the longest line to wait in, so that I have more time to think? Nah, but still, instead of being distracted by tabloids or candies, I use that time to ponder.

By continually practicing critical thinking: analyzing, conceptualizing, forecasting, etc., we gain a better understanding of everything around us: TV commercials and infomercials, product packaging, politicians, even bosses and clients.

Most importantly, we gain a better understanding of ourselves.

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