Think The Opposite

I still have my doubts if true thinking can be taught; however, I am convinced that using a few concepts can avoid thinking mistakes. Here is one method that I like very much. Think the opposite! Whatever you are currently thinking about, think of the opposite. What insights do you get? How could you use this for your further action or decision-making?

Some examples:

1. I am very happy. The opposite. I am unhappy. If I am unhappy how would this impact me? On the positive note, if I am not happy with my status quo I would try to change it. Think what I want to change, work hard to achieve it. So, does unhappiness generate more ambition, more alertness towards improving things? Does happiness make us complacent?

2. You find people having very strong opinions on how to deal with others. I recall a manager mentioning that there is only one correct style for managing people and that is to trust them 100%. What would be the opposite? Strict control and monitoring. The benefit of that style would be to notice faster if things go wrong and intervene faster as well, contribute your own ideas more directly.

3. Being confident is certainly something desirable. Anyway, look at the opposite. What is the benefit of low confidence. Wouldn't you be more willing to listen to others' often valuable advice, learn more eagerly?

In summary – Anything, look at the pros and cons; look at the opposite and its pro’s and con’s. It opens up your mind. And you may agree with me. Very rarely is it that either one view or the other view is 100% correct. Mostly, we need to make a judgment on what is the right balance for us between those opposing views.