In this chapter, we focus on how you can improve your decision making skills. One thing that is worth bringing to your notice is that your critical thinking capacity and decision making capability will only improve if you make the most of your brain. And in order to do so, you can apply either a direct or an abstract approach.
The following are a combination of both these approaches, where some will directly improve your decision-making skills and some will have an indirect bearing upon them. You must practice each one on a daily basis, in order to reap its full benefits.
Distraction
When faced with a problem or a decision-making opportunity, you must simultaneously look for a distraction. The distraction will help you concentrate better on the problem. The distraction should be within limits and allow you to unwind. It can be a hobby like painting or something that will have a therapeutic effect on you. You can also join a class like a dance or opera class and as long as it will allow you to completely cut out the problem for a few hours; you will help sharpen your decision and thinking skills.
Learn new languages
One of the best things that you can do to improve your decision making skill is to learn a new language. As vague and abstract as that may sound, it has scientific backing. When you learn a new language, your brain starts to grow bigger and, in turn, allows you to think better. And when you think better, you automatically start to make better decisions. Make sure that you learn a foreign language as opposed to a local one. Try to start with a simple one and then move to a tough one like Mandarin. Make sure that you learn 1 new language a year and avoid going for too much too soon.
Exercise
You must exercise on a daily basis, in order to cut down on the level of cortisol in your brain. Cortisol is the chemical that can cause you to undertake stress, which can, in turn, affect your decision-making capacity. You have to try and work out for at least 30 minutes a day and try to keep it as varied as possible, to avoid monotony. You can try cardio one day, lift weights, take up swimming, perform aerobics etc. You must also take a couple of days off, otherwise you might overdo it.
Diet
You must consume a balanced diet, in order to develop a good critical thinking and decision making capacity. Make sure you eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. You must also incorporate at least 8 glasses of water a day or balance it out by consuming juices. Try and avoid buying processed foods, as they will contain unsaturated fats, which can cause your body more harm than good. You must also avoid consuming junk foods, as they will also contain fats and unhealthy ingredients, which can cause your brain to secrete cortisol. Try to make your own junk food substitutes as much as possible.
Meditate
Meditation is a great way for you to relax your mind. If you wish to be a critical thinker and also be able to take timely and important decisions, then you must meditate or take up a relaxing stance. Meditating can help improve your memory power and also keep stress and tensions at bay. You can improve your mind’s capacity for analyzing a situation and coming up with bona fide solutions and conclusions. That will allow you to turn into a proficient thinker and also help you be a calmer and more rational person.
Social life
In order to have increased mental development, you have to have an extensive social life. You have to have a big friend circle and also try and have friends of all ages. When you interact with such a wide group of people, you develop the tendency of thinking at all levels. You will be capable of understanding and analyzing a situation from the various lenses and be able to set a large argument base. You can indulge in small talk with strangers, in order to expand your social circle.
Read
To be very honest, this is one of the most ideal ways for you to expand your mental capacity. You have to read on a daily basis, in order to understand the various ways in which you can increase your potential. You must read the newspaper daily and be up to date with all the latest news. You must also read books of all genres. You can join a book club in order to keep you motivated and meet other readers and openly propagate your thoughts and opinions. You can also read a book in a foreign language, which will keep you more concentrated on the subject matter.
Explore
You have to travel around, in order to expand your mental horizons. How can you live under a rock and be intelligent? You have to get out there and explore the world. You must make the effort of going to the various places the world has to offer and try understanding each and every culture you come across. You can also take your family along; as it will help you establish a better bond. When you feel connected with them, you feel relaxed and rest assured that come what may, you will always have their support. That assurance will allow you to take risks and arrive at better decisions.
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