Scattered thinking is the quickest way to ruin decision-making

Everyone can think through something, but few can flesh out an idea so clearly, that they can use it to make clear decisions or extract some sort of new insight from that idea. To do this, you need alternative ways to think more clearly.

Inspired by Ibn Rushd, a 12th-century Muslim scholar who made groundbreaking contributions to philosophy, and law, here are 2 lessons that sharpened my thinking and decision-making:

Lesson #1: Come up with Counter Arguments Against Yourself

Ibn Rushd often presented and refuted counterarguments in his works. This approach strengthened his position and made him trustworthy in the eyes of the public

Practical Tip: When thinking about ideas or solutions, try to come up with counterarguments against your ideas. By challenging your thoughts, you can identify weaknesses and address them proactively, leading to more robust and well-rounded solutions.

Lesson #2: Balance Small Scale and Big Picture Thinking

Ibn Rushd’s works balanced detailed analysis with overarching principles, suggesting that effective thinking involves both granular and holistic perspectives.

Practical Tip: Once you have an idea, try zooming in by focusing on the details and then zooming out by considering the big picture. By alternating between detailed and broad views, you can ensure that your solutions are both comprehensive and contextually relevant.