CBT in Changing Habits by Building Critical Thinking Skills

We will offer you suggestions that you can use to develop your critical thinking skills. Some of the deepest thinkers have used two of the habit changing techniques in building critical thinking skills to improve their lives.

Practice CBT

When you are unsure of how you feel state: “I don’t know how I feel, I am not sure yet.” Most people don’t like to hear these simple words, but the fact is when they learn to use the statements they find that it works.

Throughout our history, we have gone through life struggling from the criticism from others who challenge us with changing our mind. Society has for centuries honored quick replies and the quotable sound bites. Common people put us to the test, trying to force us to answer their questions within 15 seconds. The fact is they are violating our human rights. As humans, we all have the right to take as much time as we need to reply to someone’s questions.

In this demanding society, it is unusual to pause while trying to answer someone’s questions. Most people don’t understand the processes of being thoughtful. Society accepts half-truths, thus seeking answers blindly and in a rush for certainty, which commits most people to uncertainty. Use this information as a powerful weapon to move forward by taking back your human rights.

One’s willingness to surrender certainty will often cause a person to struggle unless they discover ideas that seem obvious. For example, people for centuries believe that if they walk under a ladder that they will have bad luck. Commonsense should lead us to see that this is untrue. If the ladder is not set up properly and you walk under it, sure, you may find yourself struggling to get out of the way, but for the most part, you will not have bad luck when you walk under a ladder. It is superstitious teachings that lead us to believe such lies.

The laws of nature –

Most people go through life basing their information on the “laws of nature”. The fact is that the laws of nature are embedded in our heads. Everyday most people are fed uncertain information that leads them to change their minds and habits. The only way to know if something is true is to challenge the answers by re-examining them more closely. Thus, we will ask you to perform a task in a worksheet to help you see the benefits of re-examining the messages you have learned in the past.

Learn the facts about germs – everything in your life is germ-based whether it be pets, humans, etc. The fact is, germs live, but we as people clean our homes to reduce germs every day. On a piece of paper, we ask that you write any experiences that involved someone dying from germs. Research the Internet to discover the facts about germs.

Challenging Conflicts

Most of the conflicts that develop in our mind can be easily resolved. At most, you can clarify most of your doubts or conflicts that develop in your minds. Defining the key terms upfront is your ticket to solving problems effectively, even if it is abstract or emotion-laden terms. For example, justice, progression, peace, freedom, germs.

We must learn to define our key terms otherwise disaster may follow. For example, many people have died in the name of justice, peace, freedom, etc, yet realistically if people used their critical thinking skills to re-examine the situations, many people would have kept their lives.

Most people express their opinions, which is claimed to be a natural human activity. Yet, throughout the centuries people’s lack of ability to use critical thinking to find the facts to clarify the truth has led us to where we are today. Many people have suffered dearly by holding in their opinions and failing to discover facts that support their allegations. Thus, they suffered by acting defensive to others, putting themselves down and procrastinating.

When one builds critical thinking skills, one can learn to accept other people’s opinions although they may be different from yours. At one time, most people on the planet Earth believed that civil rights for women and blacks were unpopular and dangerous. What was logically accepted then was based on opinions without facts to verify that it was true. You see that opinions change over the years as we move into the 21st century into a better tomorrow.

Agree or disagree

We are not obligated to agree with anyone’s opinion. It is our human right to disagree. Critical thinking, however, allows us to take the time to discover the facts to either modify the opinion or else reject it. Most skilled debaters have built strong critical thinking skills that help them to sum up others’ viewpoints or opinions. Thus, skilled critical thinkers are more confident than those who express their opinions without facts to support them.

We all are different. Our habits, outlooks, preferences, values, fingerprints, etc, are all different to others’. Our different traits are created by our upbringing, culture, experiences and decisions. Until you walk in another person’s shoes it is unreasonable of you to disregard others’ viewpoints without mindfully considering them first.

The call for Effective understanding

When a person uses effective understanding, they do not judge others. Throughout our life, teachers inform of us of things we may already know. Doctors prescribe medications before they diagnose the problem, etc. etc. the point is, we grow and learn. To understand other people we have to sum up their opinions or viewpoints to clarify the meaning.

Task – Find someone that has a viewpoint that you do not understand. Talk about the opinion with that person; sum up the person’s viewpoint. Keep summing up the viewpoint until you achieve an accurate learning of the person. On a piece of paper write out your experiences; including your feelings, thoughts, etc during the process.

Tip – diversity of opinions lead us to discover something new

Practice

Consider the source – when you have doubts about something, consider the source. Research the topic that is confusing to you. Sum up what you read.

Write – on a piece of paper after you discover something that has confused you before, write out what you have learned by summing up what you have read.

Summary

We have helped you to understand opinions of others better, and how you can use your critical thinking skills to advance toward a brand new tomorrow; now join us in nest article to learn how to solve problems effectively by using your critical thinking skills.

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