Smart people don't always do things smart; at times, they may take irrational and confusing actions, such as losing all their money gambling on the stock market or forgetting to pack adequate clothing for a hike in the open countryside during a day with rather danceable weather conditions. Whatever your background, your education, your IQ or your experience, common sense can be assimilated and applied in everyday life situations. And, while it seems a provocation to suggest that intelligent people sometimes seem to have no salt in their nets, this deliberate association only serves to emphasize that everyone has deviations in the use of practical thinking. The more trained we are to think in a certain way (for our workplace, our family, our culture and so on), sometimes the greater the chance of allowing ourselves to have a neglected thinking set on autopilot, which takes the place of common sense. Hindsight is not a definitive destination, it is a way of thinking that needs constant nutrition and application. This article will give you methods to further develop your common sense.
Steps
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the purpose and meaning of common sense
According to Merriam Webster, being wise means exercising “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts”. This definition suggests that common sense depends on not overcomplicating the situation (which is simple) by applying one's experience and general knowledge to the context (through sound and prudent judgment), and it is implied that the self-reliance themselves and in the experience considered is valid for future situations. Karl Albrecht calls common sense “practical intelligence”. He defines it as "the mental ability to face life's challenges and opportunities". Explain that judgment is situational, context-dependent, and that your common sense in one aspect of your life may be excellent, while it may fail abysmally in another area of your life. Speaking of the purpose of common sense, it basically consists of thinking in ways that prevent you from making mistakes or making irrational decisions, a thinking approach that could open your eyes to the following possibility: Insisting that you are right may prevent you from seeing. things in perspective.
Common sense can also serve the purpose of avoiding being retrograde regarding the rules, theories, ideas, and guidelines that would hinder or repress the best decision in a given situation. In other words, just because someone says something or because an action has always been done in a certain way, this does not represent a valid reason for abandoning common sense before intervening on current needs and now different circumstances
Step 2. Understand the ease with which the human mind is convinced of the truthfulness of an idea as opposed to indicators that clearly demonstrate the opposite
We are human, we are wrong. And our brains work in certain ways to provide shortcuts and ensure survival in a world where being chased by predators could end our lives. In the modern world, where caves and threatening tigers are no longer a constant in daily life, a part of that reactive, judgmental way of thinking can make us land on troubled waters as we react instead of reflecting, we assume. instead of gently separating realities and following the habit instead of challenging its persistent usefulness. Some of the things our amazing mind is capable of doing to disable common sense include:
- Keeping our personal sense of reality disproportionate to identifiable reality. Although each of us creates a reality based on our experiences and tries to understand the meaning of our world through very personal lenses, in most cases, we understand that our sense of reality is only a small square of a much bigger picture. For some people, however, their sense of reality is converted into the only sense of reality, and they believe they can manipulate or magically transform situations so that they can achieve the desired results. This leads to irrational behavior for some and insanity for the less fortunate.
- Reflect or think by making associations. This is a reactive way of thinking that simply builds on what we have learned through living, re-enacting the learned patterns and applying them to each new situation as it occurs, without changing the thought processes used. This type of thinking leads to errors in reflection because it prompts us to refuse to go beyond the standard associations formed in our mind as to how things should be. When we apply what we know to a present situation by referring to a similar situation that occurred in the past and using fixed patterns of our mind without adapting them to the context, we exclude common sense. As bad as the model used is in this case, the insistent or biased mind just ignores the parts of the model that don't fit together, mentally cutting them out and seeing only the sections that fit. As a result, we solved our problem without thinking about it. This kind of thinking tends to drift us away due to current popular theories and passing fads, such as the current tendency of some societies to control public opinion by swelling fear of germs, criminals, terrorists, and lack of work..
- Invoke absolute certainty. Absolutist thinking, which sees everything black or white, about the world and others somehow never leaves room for doubt and is often a cause for forgetting to apply common sense. For a person who thinks in this way, the only right way, in his opinion, to do something is also the only absolute way to do it, and therefore it seems like common sense even if it is not.
- Stubbornness. The simple unwillingness to be wrong. In no case. Based on a large number of reasons, including insecurities, fear, misunderstanding, anger and fear of derision, obstinacy is the cause of many irrational and unjustifiable decisions or actions.
Step 3. Divorce from reality
This is not an invitation to lose your mind. It is a request for you to consider the unreality of your sense of reality. What you see is what your brain is programmed to see. And, once you start walking the slippery descent of self-confirmation that reality is what you see through your lenses, you are open to the possibility of suffering from bigotry, selfishness, intolerance and prejudice, because you will. constantly so that everyone else and everything else conforms to your standard of reality, and your standard of what is right. By divorcing this one-sided reality and learning as much as possible about how others perceive the world and our place in it, you begin to make room for common sense to grow, because this factor builds on common experiences, not just yours.
- Start by looking at your emotions, beliefs, and practices to make sure they don't rule out your common sense. Test different scenarios in your mind to give it a try and see the practical consequences of applying the decision or action the way you want it to happen. It's practical, have you taken everything into account and what will happen if things go wrong? If they go wrong, can you fix them, and if you can't, what will the consequences be?
- Consult other people. If your reality is clouding your judgment too much, reach out to other people and discuss the situation with them to gain a broader appreciation of their views and ideas. This is especially important when it comes to a situation that you share closely with other people, and whatever decisions or actions you take may have an effect on other individuals as well.
Step 4. Familiarize yourself with the reflex zone of your mind
This is the part of your thinking process where real common sense resides. The part that takes some time to deviate from your cunning, your brilliance and the importance of doing everything in a hurry and as soon as possible, declaring that it is time to add a dose of cold water to the hot spirits. Reflexive intelligence relies on the ability to step back and see everything from a broader perspective, so that you can realistically estimate the situation or environment around you directly instead of forcing yourself to conform to its fitness or practicing a illusory thinking. After a careful assessment of the situation, the mental attitude allows you to set realistic goals based on the parameters in which you are working, and to take sensible actions to meet those goals. Daniel Willingham cites people who throw money away on the stock market or those who choose less than optimal life situations as examples of individuals who have made decisions and implemented actions without using reflective thinking. Rationalizing by thinking that external cues seem okay while ignoring the unfairness of your person or beliefs you hold is denying common sense. In other words, just because other people do or use something effectively doesn't mean it will work for you as well; you have to put your reflective thinking to work for each situation in order to decide if it will be good for you, for your lifestyle and for the people around you and will have a direct impact due to your decisions.
- Do less, think more. Siimon Reynolds states that many of us suffer from "Obsessive Fac-Cite". This simply means that we are obsessed with doing more and more instead of thinking. And, as we frantically rush from side to side perpetually busy, we're not productive and are contributing to a culture that admires the endlessly busy people. Is this common sense? Not even remotely. It means working harder and for more hours without taking time to think.
- Allocate time to cultivate your thought every single day, even if it is only 20 minutes. Siimon Reynolds suggests trying this for a week and says that at the end of that time, you will notice greatly reduced stress levels. And your common sense will greatly improve.
Step 5. Become familiar with your quick cognition
The previous step only suggested that we need to think more before making decisions or taking action. But the obvious disadvantage of reflection is the reality that some things require very quick thinking and quick decisions that produce solid results. Quick cognition is the kind of thinking that tells you that you will not make a connection with a person the moment they are presented to you, that that loosely arranged ladder will fall sooner rather than later, and that it needs to be moved right away or that you must immediately get off the road because at this very moment an out of control car is heading towards you. How to marry rapid cognition with reflective thinking and make everything fall into the category of common sense? It's simple: Spend your time wisely for reflection, so you will react wisely when quick thinking is required. Hindsight builds on your reflection of past experiences, allowing you to refine your understanding of the world and how it works. This is in contrast to a person who does nothing but react according to his instincts and his bias, and who has not been able to reflect on previous experiences. Reflection will bring out instinctive reactions or quick assessments of healthy situations, because your reaction is based on taking the time to analyze the mistakes and successes of past experiences.
In his book "Blink", Malcolm Gladwell states that "decisions made very quickly can only be partially as good as those made carefully and deliberately". The problem arises when we want something to be different from what it really is, falling back into our idea of reality instead of remembering that there are many realities around us. And that's when our common sense doesn't work
Step 6. Learn the things that make up basic common sense
There are things that every human being should know how to do and not leave to another person, things that go to the heart of personal survival, self-knowledge and long-term health and safety. This way, you can learn common sense through practical knowledge and application, which will accurately inform you when it comes to the most difficult times or times when you need to react faster. Some of the common sense basics every human being should know include:
- Know how to cook and be aware of what you eat. Any person who claims to be proud of not knowing how to cook is someone who can be easily persuaded by others that any food is suitable for them, no matter how unhealthy or from an unethical or unproductive source. Not knowing how to cook for oneself is not a reason for honor, it is often a sign of laziness or a rebellion against the idea of an alleged home life. Knowing how to do it in the kitchen is a sign of basic common sense, because it ensures healthy survival in any situation. And, although you infrequently use this skill, it is enjoyable and satisfying.
- Knowing how to grow your own food. Being able to grow what you bring to the table means ensuring your survival. Acquire this ability if you haven't already and instill it in your children as well.
- Learn about nutrition. If you cook for yourself and maybe even grow your own food, you will have a greater connection with your body's need for healthy nutrients. Eat naturally most of the time, in moderation, and with a focus on getting all the nutrients appropriate for your age, gender, height, and physical condition.
- Know and respect what surrounds you. It's common sense to know what local conditions are impacting your life, from the climate to flora and fauna. Take the time to discover the environment around you and respond appropriately, from adequately weather-proofing your home to removing invasive species from your garden.
- Knowing how to set a budget and not spend more than you earn. It is common sense to spend only what you have. Sadly, many people manage to forget this easily by spending and spreading them all the time, acting as if the ever-increasing debt is a total surprise to them. Spending too much is an irrational habit, as is hiding unopened bills in the back of a closet; controlling your expenses, sticking to a budget and having self-control are actions that indicate the use of your common sense. And make sure all important financial decisions and agreements are written, from loans to sales; you are never too careful when it comes to money.
- Know the limits of your body. This includes knowing which foods harm your body, which foods are good for you, how many hours you need to sleep, and the type of exercise that best benefits your body and metabolism; read as much as possible about these topics, but try to understand with experience what hurts your body and what heals it, because you are the real expert on it. Also, you are not a superhero: ignoring physical injuries is done at your own risk, for example continuing to carry heavy loads while having back problems or refusing to acknowledge constant pain.
- Knowing how to analyze situations and think for yourself. Instead of digesting what the media feeds on you every day, and ending up living in a state of fear because every second news about a crime or a disaster is published, start thinking about the reality behind the distribution of news and begin. to consider life and events with a healthy, open and questioning mentality. Help others to get rid of the fear caused by the media by teaching them to recognize the tactics used.
- Knowing how to repair objects. In a world highly dependent on disposable items, in which one prefers to buy something new rather than repair, one does nothing but further load the weight carried by the Earth, and one feels grateful towards those who produce objects with intrinsic obsolescence, because the ability to try to fix and fix things by oneself has been lost. Learning to repair or mend clothes, electronic devices, typical objects of a house, car engines and many other things is essential for your daily functioning, not only is it liberating, but it is also an important way to exercise your common sense.
- Learn to plan ahead so you don't have to do things casually, spend more money, or have no idea of the consequences. You can remedy this by planning ahead. Predicting thinking is always a sign of common sense, as is being able to review the consequences of different results.
- Knowing how to be resourceful. This ability consists in the art of knowing how to do; it's about taking small things and turning them into something big with a bit of imagination and elbow grease. It means being able to live well despite difficult conditions and still thrive and not feel deprived of anything. Ingenuity is a key part of using common sense and, we repeat, it is a skill that frees you from extreme consumerism for a living.
- Know how to connect with a community. Being an active part of your community is synonymous with common sense; Unfortunately, many people prefer to segregate themselves and remain distant or free from the hindrances caused by those around them. Having a relationship with other people in the community is part of being human, of relating and opening oneself to sharing and generosity.
- Know how to keep safe. Whether you are in a public place or at home, safety is a matter of common sense. Push the handles of the pans away from you when they are on the stove, look both ways before crossing the street, walk with a friend or in a group in the dark areas of the city at night instead of going alone, etc. All these measures are an indication of common sense and actions aimed at preserving your safety; they can be planned and implemented before anything harmful happens; and doing so often helps prevent problems altogether. Think about prevention, not disaster.
Step 7. Engage in new thinking habits based on common sense
Take the philosophy, psychology, and popular theories behind how we think and add this understanding to the active ways in which common sense can be used. Read about creative thinking for great ideas on how to regain your sense of reliance on innovative thinking processes. And Karl Albrecht suggests that the following methods will help you keep your practical intelligence (common sense) at its peak (reading the book in its entirety is recommended):
- Practice mental flexibility. It is the ability to have an open mind and to listen to other people's notions and ideas, even if they should frighten you or get you off track. It's good for you to practice mental elasticity and stretch yourself beyond the things you think you already know.
- Use affirmative thinking. It is about perceiving yourself and others in a positive way, always trying to see the best in people and your inner self, and constantly making conscious decisions about who and what you will allow to influence yourself (and what you will consider worthy of get attention from your thinking). This is not as simplistic a method as repeating positive slogans or thinking happily, the cognitive work required to maintain an affirmative and aware mindset is difficult but satisfying.
- Trust your semantic common sense. This refers to the use of language to support clear and dogma-free thinking.
- Evaluate ideas. This concept leads you to accept new opinions instead of immediately knocking them out in your mind as unfamiliar, insane, or infeasible. How do you know they don't fit your point of view if you haven't analyzed them first? Similarly, evaluating ideas encapsulates the need to reflect often, and we know that without adequate time for reflection, we cannot have personal ideas.
Step 8. If you constantly challenge yourself to think about things carefully to do yourself good and to learn all you can about the world and the thoughts others have about it, you will be at a good point
You don't have to have who knows what education behind you, but you must have an open mind and be curious. And understand that it is a process, not a destination. You will have to make this mental effort throughout your life to understand which messages to absorb and which people have the right to influence your thinking. This article, too, is simply a source of guidance on cultivating common sense - analyze it, criticize its applicability to your circumstances, and carefully select, discard, or adopt the tips that are right for you and the ones that aren't right for you. After all, acting like this is already a sign of common sense.
Advice
- Listen to the world and the people around you before you speak, particularly if you have something to say that might be considered moralistic. If you can't add something meaningful, don't say anything. This may not immediately increase or nurture your actual common sense, but it will give others clear confirmation that, in fact, you are sensible.
- Common sense is natural and correct, but things can always go wrong; just avoid getting too disheartened by the past. Some things are inevitable.
- Manipulative and authoritarian strategies are not an indication of common sense. They are a sign that some people want to change reality and make others adapt to these notions. You cannot change this type of person, therefore, unless you get paid to listen to their pain, use common sense and keep a good distance from such people.
- Try to stay happy even if things go wrong because, whatever happens, you will get something good out of it!
- Ask people why they assume that something should be what they say. Often we are so used to nodding in agreement with our heads and swallowing the clichés ordered by our culture that we forget that it's okay to ask someone why they said a certain phrase. For example, if a friend of yours tells you that it is not safe to go out at night because strangers who have no bad intentions make up only 1% while everyone else is thieves, ask him why he thinks such a thing. If he can only cite generalizations, ask him for facts and examples. And, even if he does provide them, ask him why this is a problem where you live, where you go, when you are in a group, when you are alone, when you are accompanied, etc. Eventually, you should get to the heart of the matter: this statement of his probably stems from a series of stories heard through the mass media. Then, ask your friend if he thinks it is better to stay safe but afraid than to stay safe but be prepared. There will always be risks in life, even staying at home can lead to death or injury. What matters is to prepare for the worst in a healthy and sensible way (e.g. by taking self-defense lessons, knowing where not to walk in the dark, just hanging out with other people in the evening, taking a drunk taxi, etc.) instead of restricting one's life because of fear.
- Common sense dictates that all important agreements, such as financial or marriage contracts, must be written. Do not trust the unexpected of time and the shortcomings of memories.
- Learn everything you can about any part of the universe that interests you before you die. This will allow you to cultivate common sense within a context. For humans, wisdom without real knowledge isn't all that different from animal instinct. Raccoons have a lot of "common sense", but they still try to stare at cars heading in their direction instead of running away.
- Ancient wisdom can help but it can also hinder. It all depends on the context of when that wisdom was developed and whether or not it can pass the test of time.
- Generalizations are not common sense. They are based on someone's point of view according to the state of things at the time they were formed. Always question them. The excuse "Because it has always been done this way" is a nice and good generalization. Investigate more deeply and you will find that the person speaking will not be able to pinpoint the exact moment when generalization has become a norm from which no one can deviate.
- Avoid talking and writing about the unimportant things that primarily make up our daily lives and that only affect what has genuine importance. Not only will you be perceived as a person full of common sense, you will actually be using it.
- Popularity is not synonymous with common sense. Think of the proverbial sheep who jump off the precipice without first thinking about what they are doing.
- Common sense is assimilated through experience. Your friends and family will be more than happy to talk about what needs to be done or not for each basic situation they know well if they know you want to know more about how to improve your safety.
Warnings
- Don't be paranoid; be wise, not boring! Just think about things in advance.
- Try to have compassion. Common sense people can sometimes be impatient in the face of the stupidity of those around them. Put this attitude aside, maybe one day someone might laugh at your lack of sense or scold you for it. We are all equally foolish at different times in life, just as we are all equally intelligent in other situations. It's contextual and it's just embarrassing or wrong to refuse to learn from it.
