Analytical mindset: what it is and how to train it



The article talks about:

The concept of an analytical mindThe benefits of an analytical mindsetSpheres of activity where an analytical mindset comes in handyWays to develop an analytical mindExercises for developing an analytical mindset2 books for developing an analytical mindset
Analytical mindset: what it is and how to train it

An analytical mindset is a demanded quality for some professions, but is it so necessary in everyday life? Of course, one way or another, everyone has analytical properties, but they are not always the basis of his or her thinking. Returning to the question, let us say that yes, this quality is important not only in work, but also in everyday life.

The good news is that analytical abilities, like any other, can be developed. In our article, we will tell you about the advantages of having such skills, where they can be useful and break down useful exercises for their development.

Analytical mindset: what it is and how to train it


The concept of an analytical mindset

Analytical skills - a person's skill, giving him the opportunity to structure information, to break it down into blocks, to compare and isolate the important. That is, it is an ability to carry out logical analysis.

Analytical thinking is the ability to analyze received information, to identify the main idea and present it in a correct, clear sequence. Often, a person submitting to intuition and emotions, can not think rationally, and it leads to rash actions.

People with analytical thinking, as well as all are subject to emotions, but when making a decision, they will rely on reason. By analyzing facts, synthesizing information, they will come to a reasoned choice.
Can I develop an analytical mindset? You can! If you are involved in science, medicine, literature, research, economics, etc., you should strive to develop rational thinking. After all, such work requires attentiveness and accuracy.




Benefits of an Analytical Mindset

Today, information is a major resource, and the information society needs people who can think rationally, quickly navigate and adjust to the situation, to achieve their goals.

To improve the mind and train the brain is a useful activity, if you know what benefits will bring such training.

The owners of an analytical mindset have a number of advantages:

The ability to find several ways of solving a problem and choose the most effective one;have well-developed long-term and short-term memory;Ability to plan the course of action in advance and foresee the desired result;ability to search for and systematize complex information;ability to see clearly one's own capabilities and limitations;ability to characterize different phenomena accurately;use one's knowledge and skills in professional, everyday and personal life;make reasonable and objective conclusions.

A number of abilities can be developed through training, and analytical thinking is no exception. After all, the ability to think is useful not only in the professional sphere, but in all areas of life. Our brain is always working, and the ability to quickly orient yourself even in an ordinary domestic situation will only be useful.




Spheres of activity where the analytical mind comes in handy

And yet, what profession requires analytical skills? Employers, in the requirements for the candidate, very often use the following characteristics: good working memory; assiduity, attentiveness and purposefulness; the ability to quickly navigate in a changing environment; analytical mindset.

Analysts are valued in the following professions:

research assistants;auditors;political scientists;logisticians;programmers;lawyers;economists.

In turn, people occupying managerial positions, directors, managers should also be based on rational thinking and analytical mind. After all, they are not only solving production and financial problems, but also the problems of relationships in the team.

Analytical thinking allows you to maintain sanity in difficult situations. If a person can independently find an answer to topical questions and solve the tasks at hand, it will make him or her in demand on the labor market. Such people are accurate, meticulous, accurate and very reliable.

Often, people with an analytical mindset rarely choose "man-man", "man-artistic image" types of professions. For the rational mind, the types of occupations such as: "man-sign system" or "man-technique".

Analytical mindset: what it is and how to train it


How to develop an analytical mind

To develop an analytical mind, you need to train and exercise, we can say that for the mind is also a must-exercise. At least 30 minutes a day to do self-training:

Reading, one of the main types of exercise. It is a complex brain activity that develops: perception, memory, thinking, attention. For analytical reading, you need to put a problematic question, or choose books from the genre of fiction or detective stories.Solving crossword puzzles. A variety of such puzzles: scandoor, fillword, chaynvord, pump memory, concentration and logical thinking. It is recommended to alternate varieties of puzzles to engage all the key areas of the brain. You can try to make a crossword puzzle yourself.Logical tasks stimulate thinking processes. Puzzles, charades, puzzles, Rubik's cube require analytical thinking.Modeling situations. Imagine that you are faced with a situation that has several solutions, which one will you choose? Or you find yourself on a desert island, what will you do? Think through the algorithm of your actions to save yourself.Checkers, chess, backgammon requires deep analysis and finding non-standard solutions. People who play chess, are not only considered successful, but also one of the most intelligent, knowing how to checkmate an opponent on the board, you can fight back and the enemy on the battlefield.Debates. Participation in debates or intellectual conversations helps to formulate thoughts clearly and consistently, to select weighty and meaningful arguments, to analyze information from different sides.Board games and quests. Today, a huge number of board games that require analytical thinking (Monopoly, Scrabble, Mahjong. Solitaire, etc.), as well as a large number of quests, which require rational thinking team, to solve logical puzzles of varying levels of complexity. Although most people are against computer games, but they are just as good brain training, strategies, action, arcade games have a positive effect on brain activity.Intellect card, journaling. You can record your thoughts on paper to further analyze your actions and decisions. But mind maps are often used by detectives and investigators, but in everyday life it may come in handy, Take one idea or goal and from it lead to different means of achieving, and from means to ways, etc. Such a technique is good for "visualists" who are comfortable with visual work.News. It is important to find interesting topics for yourself and learn something new every day, at least one fact a day. So, you can watch a news program in the morning, or read about some event on the Internet. There are various publishers of interesting facts about the world and nature.Research papers. If you are studying at school or university, you need to write research papers there. There is so much in the world that needs to be explained, so take one of the topics and work on it, it will be a training for you and useful information for the society.
Analytical mindset: what it is and how to train it


Exercises to develop an analytical mindset

It is useful to perform special exercises to develop an analytical mindset. We suggest four exercises:

Simulation

Let us imagine a certain situation, set a goal and a result which we would like to achieve. Now, using various methods and means, we strive to achieve the intended goal. Situation: you decided to make a film to implement the idea, what will you need? Start reasoning: you need a script, you need a crew, you need actors, you need a place to shoot, etc.

Or imagine the situation, you bet that in a week you will earn a million, you start to analyze: you can buy a lottery ticket, you can go to the intellectual game "Who wants to be a millionaire", there is an option to work during the week and day and night, you can sell something expensive. You can think of many such options, and there will be different means and methods for each, it is important to choose the one that you think will be most appropriate.

The main thing is to start imagining, and the course of action and ideas for solving problems begin to appear on their own. You need to be able to analyze them, to identify relevance, separating the grains from the chaff. The French philosopher Claude Helvetius said, "Understanding some principles makes up for not knowing some facts. It is worth reflecting on this statement.

Mary's Room

This exercise was developed by the Austrian positivist philosopher, physicist and mechanic Ernst Mach. According to him, analytical thinking can be developed with the help of imagination.

In this exercise you have to imagine the scientist of neurophysiology of vision, Maria. She knows everything about visual perception: the wavelengths of all colors and how the eye reacts to them. But Maria herself has spent her whole life in a black and white room, in gray tones. Now imagine yourself in her shoes. How difficult it is to know and understand everything in theory, and never see it in practice.

And so you left the room and saw a colored object for the first time, let it be a bright orange orange. Do you gain any new knowledge? There are only two "yes" or "no" answers, but what you choose and argue your choice will show your attitude toward science and your perception of the world.

The Turing Test

Alan Matheson Turing was an English mathematician, logician, and cryptographer. This test can be taken on the computer, spending 15-20 minutes. The point of the test is to have a dialogue. It is necessary to determine who is talking to you, a computer or a person. Analyze the answers of the interlocutor and his leading questions. It seems easy, in fact, not everyone is able to figure out his interlocutor.

In addition, this test can be played out with your friends. Come up with a topic for discussion and begin to argue your point of view, thereby analyzing the statements of the interlocutor. After use in his arguments opponent's statement, so that none of the listeners did not guess who the real author of arguments.

Developing analytical thinking is fun. Some exercises and games are exciting and there is a desire to practice more and more often, and after some time such training will give a positive result in the logical and rational thinking.

You can also always exercise to find answers to questions that most scientists and philosophers ponder, such as:

Can a person without an education be called educated?Is man the crown of creation or a link in the chain?How relevant are words like "honor" and "dignity" in today's world?Is there a definite order in the world, or is everything in the world random?

There are many such questions, and even scientists cannot give an exact answer. But when you ponder such questions, you stimulate your brain to activity, so you think more originally and see the world around you differently.




2 books for developing an analytical mind

"The Art of Statistics. How to Find Answers in Data," by David Spiegelhalter

David. Spiegelhalter is a British researcher of statistics. In his book, the author gives examples from life, showing how statistics help in various situations. These examples make for more engaging and illustrative reading. The book is suitable for a wide range of readers interested in the art of statistics.

"The Decision Book. 50 Models of Strategic Thinking," by Michael Krogerus, Roman Chappeler

The book by Swiss authors M. Krogerus and R. Chappeler tells about the best options for solving situations. From the book you will learn about models of strategic thinking that have practical relevance. The authors were able to describe fifty models that can be applied in real life to find the right answer, the so-called "guide".

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Business and Finance terms

Withholding Tax General Accepted Accounting Standards Letter Of Intent Scarcity Year-to-date Long-Term Liabilities Non-Disclosure Agreement Chief Operating Officer Return on Investment Chief Marketing Officer Chief Financial Officer Asset Protection Trust Chief Security Officer Certified Financial Planner Electronic Funds Transfer Limited Liability Company Close of Business Company Finance Cash Flow Automated Teller Machine Return on Equity stagnation Certified Management Accountant Non-Profit Organization Certified Financial Manager Chief Technology Officer Profit and Loss Profit and Loss Statement Gross Margin