How can the natural elements\u2014earth, fire, air, and water\u2014help you understand the process of effective thinking? How can you use this in your life in a practical way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking<\/em>, Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird explain that thinking is the source of all improvement and achievement. They describe the processes involved in thinking effectively and how this type of thinking can improve your life <\/strong>in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue reading to discover how you can maximize improvement and achievement by learning to think effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Burger and Starbird are renowned mathematicians and college professors as well as award-winning authors and educators. Together, they have written two other books about the application of mathematics in thinking and humor, The Heart of Mathematics: An Invitation to Effective Thinking<\/em><\/a> and Coincidences, Chaos, and All That Math Jazz<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking<\/em>, Burger and Starbird break down the process of effective thinking into elements aligned with the natural elements identified by the ancient Greeks: earth, fire, air, and water. The authors then add a fifth element to sum up the results of the previous four: change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ll explore each of these elements in turn, looking at how the authors advise you to use them as a framework for effective thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: Burger and Starbird aren\u2019t the first modern thinkers to use the Greek elements as a basis for their theories: Psychologist Carl Jung identified four personality types<\/a> that echoed them, and others link them to our moods and natural abilities<\/a>. Further, the Greeks were just one of many cultures that identified four basic elements\u2014among others, ancient Chinese, Indian<\/a>, and Jews<\/a> also pointed to elements that mirrored the Greeks\u2019, often using them to explain our inner psyches as well as the physical world.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first element the authors discuss is earth<\/em>, which they say represents the foundation of ideas that will serve as the basis for your thinking. They argue that, to think effectively, you must base your thinking on a deep understanding<\/a> of your topic or problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors discuss two ways you can approach fundamentals that can help you create a firm foundation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding deeply is not simply knowing or not knowing facts; it\u2019s about understanding the \u201cwhy\u201d of those facts. Therefore, the authors advise that you don\u2019t just learn what the facts are<\/em> but instead learn about<\/em> the facts<\/strong>. Understand their background, the connections between them, and their implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors write that you shouldn\u2019t try to tackle complex issues until you\u2019ve thoroughly mastered the fundamentals<\/strong>. Understanding smaller, more basic aspects of a problem will allow you to understand more complex issues. Thus, they advise that, when approaching a complex problem<\/a>, you revisit the basic skills and knowledge base needed to master it<\/strong>. Mastering basic skills can help you manage a situation when circumstances change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second element the authors discuss is fire<\/em>, which they say represents embracing failure<\/a> as a learning tool. Once you\u2019ve established a firm foundation of knowledge, you can begin expanding that knowledge by learning from failure<\/a>, and in doing so, advancing your thinking through trial and error.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors note that, when you fail at solving a problem, you can set yourself up for success<\/a> next time if you analyze why you failed and think about what you can do to prevent failure in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t view mistakes as hindrances but instead as opportunities for growth. <\/strong>A mistake gives you a specific thing to address: Why was this wrong? They note that the ability to do something right takes hard work, study, and practice, and you shouldn\u2019t expect yourself to do it right immediately. If you do, you\u2019ll be more likely to give up and not achieve your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors write that there are some specific techniques you can employ to prevent mistakes from stopping your progress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you\u2019ll find yourself progressing quickly with few noticeable mistakes. The authors advise that, when that happens, you should seek out mistakes to<\/strong> create your own learning experiences<\/strong>. They point out that companies will do stress tests on their products, looking for what it takes to break what they\u2019ve made. Apply this to your own thinking. Ask yourself: \u201cWhat would it take to disprove this idea? What flaws can I expose in my understanding?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors suggest some techniques that can help you create your own mistakes and learning experiences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors note that, even when a mistake reveals no insight into your current problem, it can still be useful; it might be the solution to a completely different problem than the one at hand. Ask yourself: \u201cDid my mistakes present any insight on other problems separate from the one I\u2019m focusing on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third element the authors discuss is air<\/em>, which they say represents the constant questioning of what you know and what you\u2019re learning. The authors recommend that you ask plenty of questions to challenge your current understanding of a topic. This will help you strengthen your foundational knowledge because it expands your thinking, opening you to new insights about what you already know (or think you know)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we learned in the \u201cearth\u201d section, you can always deepen your understanding of a topic. One way to do this is to expose flaws in logic or knowledge by asking questions.<\/strong> Just because you already know the answer to a problem doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t still ask questions or explore it further by asking a \u201cwhat if\u201d question. This question can show where the gaps in your understanding are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One technique the authors suggest to help you think of questions is to imagine yourself teaching the idea to someone else<\/strong>. What questions might they ask? Do you know how to answer them? If not, then your understanding is lacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors emphasize that your view on a subject will<\/em> have bias. Use questions to identify that bias and eliminate it<\/strong>. The authors recommend the following techniques to help you identify your biases<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Questioning is more productive when it\u2019s focused in the right direction. Identifying the essence of what you\u2019re trying to learn gives you a foundation from which to continue your exploration.<\/strong> To make sure you\u2019re focusing on the right problem, the authors recommend that you chip away the excess information distracting you from the main point<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fourth element the authors discuss is water<\/em>, which they say represents the progression of ideas. When you understand where an idea came from, you\u2019ll better understand the idea in the present and where it could go in the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Burger and Starbird, knowing the foundation from which an idea developed gives you a better understanding of the idea in the present<\/strong>. No idea exists in a vacuum, and studying how an idea came about can make your foundational knowledge sturdier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you understand the past behind your idea, you can use that knowledge to \u201csolve\u201d your problem in the present, but the story doesn\u2019t end with the \u201csolution.\u201d According to the authors, effective thinking develops an idea past the point at which it seems to be perfected.<\/strong> Once you\u2019ve overcome a problem, look for new ways to use the solution, whether in continuation of your current topic or in a different field entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think several steps ahead of where you are now. Consider how the idea you\u2019re working on might lead to things that are currently unheard of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final element the authors discuss is change<\/em>, which the authors say represents the culmination of the previous four and the realization of our goal: thinking effectively. The ideas and practices represented in earth, fire, air, and water are all means to change<\/em>. The fifth element presented by the authors is fairly simple: It\u2019s the power you gain when you learn to embody the lessons of the first four elements<\/strong>. This section explains how to welcome and enact change as a result of effective thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: It\u2019s questionable whether this should be considered an \u201celement\u201d since it doesn\u2019t fit the pattern established by the previous four of demonstrating processes for thinking and veers away from the idea of the four natural elements. It may be more logical to view it as a conclusion section rather than a fifth list item.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be willing to change.<\/strong> <\/strong>If you\u2019re not willing to change your mind and your thinking, then you\u2019re closing yourself off from improvement. The purpose of thinking effectively is to make your life better, and it requires a willingness to change at every opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: Other authors have written about the integral link between the way we think and the change we\u2019re able to enact in our lives. In You Are a Badass<\/em><\/a>, Jen Sincero explains that our thoughts are what shape our reality<\/a> and that changing our thought patterns<\/a> is the only way to see the change we want in our lives and ourselves.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make improvement\u2014not achievement\u2014your goal.<\/strong> The authors argue that natural ability varies; not everyone is capable of the same feats, but everyone is capable of becoming better at something. You may never become a poet laureate, but you can learn how to identify different types of poetic meter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural ability is also a fixed state, but thinking effectively is a practice, so it\u2019s within your control. You can\u2019t change your natural height, but if you practice effective thinking, you can learn how to jump higher with proper technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: In Atomic Habits<\/em><\/a>, James Clear argues that natural ability is only half of what you need<\/a> to achieve success in a certain field or skill, and that hard work is the other half. Anders Ericsson echoes that sentiment in Peak<\/em><\/a>, and adds that once you master what you\u2019ve been practicing, you have to again change your thinking in order to continue to improve<\/a> and avoid stalling out at that level. And in his book Range<\/em><\/a>, David Epstein argues that practice in one field is not as useful as gaining a wide variety of skills<\/a> and that it\u2019s important to broaden your focus in order to compete in your chosen field. All of these provide practical advice to complement the idea of using your thinking to enact change.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe 5 Elements of Effective Thinking<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Element #1: Earth (Create a Firm Foundation)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Principle 1: Learn Beyond Memorizing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Principle 2: Go Back to the Basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Element #2: Fire (Learn by Failing)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Principle 1: Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Principle 2: Make Mistakes on Purpose<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Principle 3: Look Beyond Your Current Problem<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Element #3: Air (Question Constantly)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Principle 1: Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask Questions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Principle 2: Use Questions to Identify Your Bias<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Principle 3: Ask the Right Questions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Element #4: Water (Understand How Ideas Evolve)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Principle 1: Understand the Evolution of an Idea<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Principle 2: Use History as a Guide for the Future<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Element #5: Change (Enhance Your Thinking)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n