Self-Assessment Through Critical Thinking Is The Key To Productivity

Lacking productivity is one of the major reasons why there are so many people who are unhappy in this world.  Due to unproductivity, many people are unable to get the job they want or meet the people they desire.  The sad fact is that many people are unproductive, because they have not developed the critical thinking skills to become more productive. In part, it isn’t their fault.  My educators up until college seldom asked me what I thought about anything. Kindergarten to Grade 12 education is fundamentally about remembering—facts, dates, and people.  It wasn’t until I went to college and later graduate school that I began improving my critical thinking skills. Fortunately, part of my graduate school experience included law school, where critical thinking is the core of the curriculum. So if I had to go to law school and later receive a master’s degree before I became an effective critical thinker, how could the average person become a better critical thinker without enjoying similar experiences?

Whether you have a college or graduate degree or no degree at all, it is important to determine whether you truly have developed the critical thinking skills to be productive in the workplace as well as your personal life. It all starts with an adequate assessment of yourself.

Getting started

Although self-assessment, for some people in group settings, can be a good start in building a positive attitude and outlook in life, this might not be applicable to all people, especially to those who prefer to do things on their own.

If you are one of these people who would rather do things on his or her own, then now is the time to realize how big self-assessment can contribute to your being productive. Experts say that if one starts with the process of self-assessment now, it will be easier for him or her to be productive and accomplish greater things for themselves and for the people that they love in the future.

Experts agree that for one to excel and become successful in life, the concept of productivity is very essential. This is because knowing how to be productive, even when you’re down, creates unforeseen opportunities unavailable during any other time.  Being productive also serves as an inspiration that keeps your spirit high no matter how challenging the times may be.

For those who want to start being more productive, it would be best to begin with a self-assessment by following these two tips:

- Discover and re-discover your purpose in life. Indeed, the most powerful thing that can help a person get started with self-assessment is discovering your cause or your purpose in life. Once you are able to do this, you can find a reason in your heart for becoming more productive. The reason may be for the betterment of yourself or for your family.  No matter what it is, it is important to anchor yourself to a motivation that promotes productivity.

- Be thirsty and hungry for something. For people who are just starting out with the process of self-assessment, enjoy the process for the end result. This is because wanting to learn the concept of productivity alone would not fuel your drive to aim for greater heights.  If you really want to use self-assessment to excel and be productive, don’t be content with what you have right now nor merely go through the motions without an objective.

It is best to always be hungry for knowledge as fuel for learning. If you are consistently learning new things, you will be able to acquire new skills and even boost your self-confidence in the long run.  Although it may be unlikely or impractical to immediately enhance your critical thinking skills through formal education, if you can engage in some form of critical thinking training to improve your productivity, you are encouraged to do so. One of the greatest yearnings we have as human beings is to be seen as significant as well as leave a legacy that defined our life.  If we can understand and embrace our unmet need to create legacies, we will be moved to become more productive.

To gain the tools for becoming more productive through critical thinking, visit: http://ibarcriticalthinkingmethod.com 

Improving Your Critical Thinking Skills Like Charismatic Leaders (The IRAC Method)

Edward Brown, M.S., of Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute provides questions and answers on how you can make better decisions, solve more problems, and complete goals using the IRAC Method for critical thinking.

Q: Why is critical thinking important, particularly for charismatic leaders?

Brown: People often believe that the great visions and missions that charismatic leaders create are “Pie in the sky,” as oppose to a systematic approach to critical thinking. Charismatic leaders are voracious readers and analysts who develop ideas through extensive research.  Everything begins and ends in your ability to think effectively and execute a plan of action.

Q: So, what is the IRAC Method for critical thinking?

Brown: The IRAC Method is used in law schools to encourage students to think critically and systematically in dealing with issues of law. By enlisting the same method in any problem solving manner, you will improve your thinking skills. IRAC is actually an acronym for:

I---Issue. What is the issue or problem and the root causes of it?

R---Rules. What are the laws, regulatory mandates or industry standard that the problem falls under?

A---Analysis/Application----Where are the gaps in current solutions and recommendations and what alternatives should be considered?

C---Conclusion---What are the final results or recommendations for solving the problem?

Q: Do charismatic leaders use the IRAC Method as a de facto approach to solving problems or creating visions?

Brown: Charismatic leaders might use an abbreviated version of the IRAC Method, but the thought process is similar.  For example, charismatic leaders may determine a problem exists, develop immediate solutions, and begin acting on results. Martin Luther King, Jr. was good at strategizing a plan and implementing it using what was tantamount to the back of a napkin or envelope.

Q: So, the process is not long and drawn out?

Brown: It depends on the nature of the problem. The four (4) step process is the standard. The process for making the pieces fit together is totally individual. It’s not the length of the process, but the necessary thinking that goes into the process itself.

Q: If the IRAC Method solves problems and helps aid in creating missions, why are charismatic leaders often seen as not having a specific strategy for developing great visions and missions?

Brown: That’s the responsibility of researchers. Charismatic leaders are merely acting in ways that appear natural to them. It is the role of the researcher to extract and create a system from  the charismatic leader’s behavior. The charismatic leader will not necessarily market the process for developing a mission, but market the mission itself.  By using the IRAC Method for creating missions and solving problems, you can emulate the results of charismatic leaders.

See how charismatic leaders enhance corporate productivity and profitability: Charisma

How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills Like Charismatic Leaders