Critical thinking is crucial for a significant life. When you want to do something important, When you want to contribute something to the society, When you want to progress and achieve your goals in life; all such situations demand critical thinking. Without your ability and habit, to think critically you are not able to solve even day to day problems. How can you then pursue the path of excellence? How can you participate in the development of the organisation for whom you are working?. How can you promote your own business, if you are an entrepreneur? And, how can you enhance your status if you are a professional?
Traditionally, critical thinking would prescribe activities like observation, analysis, inference, communication and problem solving. Undoubtedly the complexity of life forms a major headache. Let’s see how can we handle it effectively.
In order that you easily remember these varied activities, we have devised a simplified system by which you have to remember the simple word, SEARCH when it comes to critical thinking.
Let’s examine how this common place word SEARCH empowers us to develop the habit of critical thinking and help us change our life. So, what does SEARCH stand for?
S stands for study
E stands for enquiry
A stands for argument
R stands for ramble
C stands for communication
H stands for “Headache Gone”.
Let’s start with S for Study:
Whenever there is a problem and you want to make your best decision study the problem. It requires critical thinking. The first step is to understand the problem from all angles. You need to thoroughly study it before you proceed to take the next step. Open ended questions with WHO, WHAT, WHERE, HOW, WHEN, WHY. These questions will through light on the problem from all angles. You will fully understand it. This study will enable you to understand the problem fully.
The second step is Enquire. You need to know what are the possibilities of the solutions which are feasable and practical. This can only be done when you ,make a detailed analysis of the problem. Your enquiry on various components of the issue will enable you to make a detailed analysis. Thus the enquiries you make will show you the various possibilities of the reasons as well as the solutions. Undoubtedly, it will reduce you headache about the problem to some extent as you will see the ray of hope.
The third step is arriving at an argument. It means that from the study and enquiry the assumption or inference that you can derive. This will take you closer to the solution. The data which you have collected in the above two steps will help you form the base of your final argument.
The fourth is ramble. It means the possible ways things can go wrong. As they say, as per Murphy’s Law, even when you plug all visible loopholes still a new will emerge and things will go wrong. So therefore Rambling or observing disruptions is necessary. This is a kind of acting as a devils advocate. This is useful when the stakes are very high.
The fifth step is communication with all concerned wherever necessary. The communication can be verbal, non verbal written and audio visual. Share and receive information with other verbally, non – verbally and in writing.
The last step is reaching the solution or we might say ‘ Headache Gone’. This process of problem solving by analysing communicating information, by studying the various angles, by understanding all the possible handicaps one can be sure of achieving the best possible solutions.
So whenever you have to take an important decision or you face an unexpected challenge, follow the above six steps and remember the simple word SEARCH.
satishkakri 