Three Simple Strategies to Think Clearly
Why thinking clearly is so important and how you can do more of it
Sorry, I was just thinking out loud.
If you have heard anyone — even yourself — talk while they think, you know that their words are often a jumbled mess. Just as the speaker introduces one idea, he will jump to the next, including every extraneous detail along the way. It is hard to follow not just for the audience, but also for the speaker.
Speeches have to be practiced for hours and writing has to be tailored down to every word. But when it comes to thinking, there is no quality control. As a society, we have agreed that it is okay for our thought process to be a mess.
Thinking diffusely can give incredibly creative ideas during brainstorming sessions, but it should not be the default. Thinking clearly and methodically is one of the most overlooked skills, but is easily the most valuable in today’s world. Improving your thought process will help you to make better decisions, reduce anxiety, and avoid mistakes.
What is Clear?
“Short, sweet, and to the point. Clear writing, and therefore clear commands, comes from clear thinking. Think simple.”— Tim Ferriss
Clear thoughts are like good notes — they capture the core concepts of an idea and conduct a deep analysis of why things work the way they do. Good notes don’t use vague words or have hundreds of sections. They are structured based on priority and impact. Here is an example of a cluttered thought:
I need to go to the store later today. I want orange juice for breakfast tomorrow. I need bread, milk...Is 2% really good for you? Does my car still have gas? Need to fill it if it doesn't. How does milk fat get removed anyways? How's the weather, do I need a coat? Oh, and oranges too.This is the clear version:
Need to drive to store. Might need coat if it's chilly.Grocery List:
1. Whole wheat bread
2. Milk(2%)
3. 3 oranges for juice
Notice how the train of thought flows smoothly over each section, following a chronological sequence of actions. The grocery list is structured intuitively, and extra information is also added where helpful. Not only is this thought more organized, but it also gives a set of memorable directions to follow.
At first, it may seem impossible to generate such a level of organization on the spot — but through deliberate training, you can move your current level of thought closer to the ideal.
Systems and Strategies
There are many approaches to train your mind to think more clearly, but all of the methods have 3 core principles:
- Clear the current state of mind
- Move your focus to one thing
- Limit yourself to a limited amount of time and move on after you’re done
Focus on how you can sort out the crucial from the clutter, and you will be a much better thinker.
Meditation
Easily the most popular in this list, meditation is the go-to answer for gaining clarity of thought. Meditation comes in many forms — mindfulness, spiritual, and sleep-related. All of the types have their benefits, but mindfulness is backed up extensively by research studies.
Mindfulness exercises work because you have one focus: clear your thoughts for a set block of time. Being able to let go of your stress and focus on what is important is the core skill needed to remove distractions and make better decisions. Examples of exercises are breathing exercises, body scanning, and visualization.
Here is a quick breathing exercise you can do any quiet place:
- Sit down in a chair or on the floor with your arms by your side or in your lap. Get comfortable and set a timer for 5–10 minutes.
- Start taking deep breaths — breath in for a count of 4, hold for 4, breath out for 4, and hold again for 4 counts. Repeat 10 times and gradually close your eyes.
- Return to a normal breathing pattern and focus on the flow of air. If thoughts come, acknowledge them and let them go.
- Once the time is up, gradually exit your state of focus and continue your day.
This is a simple exercise, but practicing any meditation consistently will reduce stress, increase your self-awareness, and declutter your mind. Apps like InsightTimer are great for learning meditation and creating your own custom timed sessions. Just don’t get distracted by all the information or features. Stick to what is simple.
Journaling
Write down your thoughts. No matter how mundane or insignificant they may seem, every thought counts. Imagine your journal as a camera that takes a snapshot of your mental state at that moment. You can’t perform better than yesterday if you don’t know what yesterday looked like.
Journaling is as easy as taking a few minutes every day to unload your mind. It can be as quick or as in-depth as you want, but there are some ways to get the most of journaling.
Use your journal to dump your emotions on paper, it will help you deal with them. Reflect on how you performed today compared to yesterday, and never let your progress stall. Let your journal saturate with your personality, but focus on how you fit in the world.
Here are some ideas for what to write about:
- What is a fear I have or anxiety that bothered me yesterday?
- What was one thing I did today that I want to do again tomorrow?
- What is an interesting idea I don’t want to forget?
- Did I complete my habits? (this is why I journal)
Capture as much detail in the journal as you can. By getting everything down on paper, you remove the stress from your mind. I would recommend keeping a physical journal, but there are many apps that will also do the job well.
A good journal is not the one that is speckless or untarnished, but the one that is frayed on the edges and beat-up. In other words, used.
Ask Key Questions
A strategy taught in science and mathematics is to ask what you know and don’t know. From there, figure out what you need to find out to get to the answer. The technique of asking yourself questions helps keep track of complex problems but also helps you understand how you can solve those problems.
It’s impossible to get an answer to a question that hasn’t been asked yet
Here are a few questions to ask yourself throughout the day to think more logically and focus in on what matters to you.
- What is the most important thing I could be working on right now?
- Why does this problem feel so difficult? How can I change that?
- What are I am grateful for? (this is great for general satisfaction too)
Once you have asked a question, record your answer. Refer back to your answers often and be wary if they repeat too often. Understand your process of how you tackle challenges and you will understand how you succeed.
Think Out Loud
Pick one of these strategies in this guide and commit to it. Get into the habit of clearing your mind of everything and rebuilding it one core concept at a time. Eventually, you will be able to talk and write with the clarity of the best speakers and authors.
Thinking better is not taught at school because it’s hard to teach — everyone is wildly different. When teaching it to yourself, be open to failure, and learn what works for you.
One day you will stumble across the perfect thing to say or a genius perspective. That is the moment you should start thinking out loud.
