Critical Thinking Training
What is critical thinking, how can it be used, and why is it so important? Critical thinking is the ability to organize data, facts, and other information in such a way as to create an unbiased and rational choice. It involves the analysis of data, facts, and other research to come up with a sensible conclusion by linking the dots together logically. A key element of critical thinking is the ability to come to an accurate decision based upon the facts found. There are times that this happens to us without being aware of it, but when it does, the right people are the ones who recognize what has happened and tell us what they believe should have been done, or what might have been done differently.
A fantastic example of a problem that requires critical thinking abilities is when somebody is involved in a car accident, where a few teeth are lost or some skin is cut off. These items are unfortunate, and most people would see them as catastrophic accidents, even if they were not. But someone with critical thinking skills may examine the situation differently, question the witnesses, analyze the details, figure out the reason why the accident occurred in the first place, and then make the best choice for themselves and their loved ones, taking into consideration the possible outcomes if they decide to pursue the case. This is a lot more beneficial than just accepting the fact that"it will happen again". In fact, the second option is usually much worse, because people have a tendency to procrastinate, putting off until another"perfect" moment the event occurs.
Another example of when critical thinking skills come in handy is when you need to decide whether or not a romantic relationship is worth preserving or throwing it away. If your feelings for another person are strong, then maybe it's worth preserving. But if you are more hesitant and less sure about it, then maybe it's not worth enduring. These are tough choices for all of us to create, but they're also the sort of decisions that we must make if we wish to survive, so it's important to approach them with logical and realistic considerations, rather than just blind love. With these two examples, one can see how important critical thinking skills are in creating life-changing decisions.
When thinking of an issue where creative thinking skills might be applied, consider what types of problem-solving training you have or your company has received lately. Is it a simple problem-solving class, or do you want a more advanced course? There are many courses in business that deal specifically with innovative problem-solving abilities, from creative problem-solving to leadership abilities, from creative problem solving to entrepreneurial skills. The reason this is such a growing field is that more businesses are seeing the need to understand how to use creative thinking skills to address problems. However, not everyone can take these advanced classes, and if you can, it is helpful to have a guide to help teach them how to properly apply their creative problem-solving abilities.
Consider another scenario where you might apply your critical thinking skills. By way of example, if you are applying for a job that involves building computer programs, you may be able to find a job with a company that specializes in computer programs, or you might be able to find one that provides training and development for computer systems. Either way, learning the abilities to think critically and write a quality resume are extremely important. A computer resume is essentially your job application to a business, and that's why preparing it properly is important. If you cannot write an excellent computer restart, your resume will not get you the interview and your chances of getting the job will be low.
The problem is that most folks know only a limited number of critical thinking abilities, and they have a tendency to think that it must be tough to learn. However, anyone who knows how to think critically and write a well-written resume knows that this isn't in any way difficult. People who do not know how to think critically, or who have not learned these skills, often tend to specialize in one area, such as marketing or computer programming, rather than learning the skills needed to be successful in many different fields. It is no wonder then, the job market is so flooded with qualified applicants!
So, how can you make sure you get the career you want? The first step is to understand the three most common fallacies about critical thinking abilities, and then to remove them as best as possible. Second, to develop your skills in order to stick out among your competitors, you need to read extensively and attend conferences and round table discussions on the subject of critical thinking. Third, to truly take advantage of the numerous career opportunities that exist with critical thinking skills, you want to do a little homework and to really determine what the real critical thinking job market looks like.
When you have done this, you will be ready to answer the occupational questions employers ask and to do precisely that - stand out from the crowd. Never forget that fantastic critical thinking skills are the key to success in virtually every job situation. It doesn't matter whether you're applying for a job as an engineer, a salesperson, a computer technician or a teacher. As soon as you learn the answers to the occupational critical thinking questions employers ask, you'll have taken the first steps toward obtaining that much coveted A-list certificate, or some other advanced degree that will add greatly to your credentials and your resume.
