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Set Your Position Aside and Focus on Your Need
by Donna Birk
When you hold and focus on a specific position, ‘side,' or point of view about how something should be, you can become blinded to the actual need or condition to be addressed. One of the most beneficial changes you can make to increase your own critical thinking ability is to change the basis of your viewpoint from a personal position to an actual need. When you hold and focus on a specific position, ‘side,' or point of view about how something should be, you can become blinded to the actual need or condition to be addressed. Here's an example which illustrates this point:
The car you have been driving to work has just been rendered useless. Your initial reaction is, of course, to replace it. If you stepped back and took a critical thinking approach to this dilemma, however, you would see that getting another car is not your need. Your need is to get back and forth to work on time, to get your kids to daycare, and to be able to shop for groceries and other necessities. Getting another car is simply one solution to that need. Before exercising critical thinking, your position was that you must get a new car. After exercising critical thinking, you may discover a multitude of other potential solutions: car pooling with your next door neighbor who works one block from where you work, taking the bus, checking out home delivered groceries, working out an arrangement with your spouse to share your other car, etc. By stepping back and taking an analytical look at your dilemma, your true needs, and a variety of options, you identify and focus on resolving your true need rather than being stuck on one specific position as the only answer.
When you apply critical thinking skills in this manner you greatly increase your chances of making well-thought out, sound decisions. Next time you face a dilemma or conflict, try stepping back and opening your mind to see the difference between your position and your need.
About the Author
Donna Birk is a writer, trainer, coach, and Licensed Social Worker. She founded and operates "People Builders," an organization devoted to helping people grow. Get a FREE goal setting guide and FREE E-zine at her website: http://www.youcangetitdone.com
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