Critical thinking is the ability to analyze things from different perspectives and thus to reach greater success in work and in life. If you want to improve your critical thinking, start by gaining news from multiple sources. You should not get manipulated by the loudest and most readily available news sources. Then, try the following test to help you assess your level of critical thinking.
Can you have a discussion with people who have different opinions?
A healthy debate is a fundamental part of critical thinking. A critically thinking person wants to learn more about how others think. Although he or she will probably not change their initial position, they may find new ways of thinking about an issue.
Can you admit that you were wrong?
A critically thinking person anticipates he or she may not always be right about everything. They are willing to admit they were wrong if something else is proven to be right.
Can you avoid personal attacks?
Critical thinking is based on rationality rather than emotion. A critically thinking person does not initiate personal attacks on others because of their different views.
Do you learn something new every day?
Critically thinking people look forward to learning new things, they are naturally curious. They know that they must continue to learn because they can never know everything.
Are you creative and original?
The goal of critical thinking is to come up with innovations, not just to repeat what has already been said hundreds of times. People who can think critically are constantly coming up with new and fresh ideas.
If you have answered "yes" to these questions, your critical thinking is at a high level. Focus on where you answered "no" because these are your gaps. Also, be careful not to let critical thinking to make your life unnecessarily complicated. In the following cases you are thinking too critically.
Making a mountain out of a molehill
Remember that the best solutions (even to complex problems) are the simplest ones. Do not get too carried away by your critical thinking that you waste time searching for complex procedures.
Excessive demands
Remember that even though you are critically-minded, you are also human and therefore you can make mistakes. Do not try to be perfect; instead, focus on how to learn from your mistakes.
Thinking and not doing
Critical thinking can only be successful if applied in practice. If you just keep on thinking, you'll get nowhere.
-kk-