What is "thinking"?

If thinking is that important, then it makes sense to try to become the best thinker that you can be.

But what is "thinking" ? Is it something you're just born with, like your I.Q., your genetics?

Or is thinking a skill that you can learn, and become proficient at, like sailing, cooking, and Kung Fu ?

The Definition of Thinking

Edward de Bono, one of the great pioneers of thinking, writes in his book: De Bono's Thinking Course the following comparison between intelligence (your natural I.Q.), and thinking:

"Intelligence is like the horsepower of a car...The performance of a car does not depend upon the horsepower of the car but upon the skill with which the car is driven by the driver. So if intelligence is the horsepower of the car then 'thinking' is the skill with which that horsepower is used".

He then goes on to define thinking as follows:

"Thinking is the operating skill through which intelligence acts upon experience".

Or in other words, thinking is the skill with which you use your intelligence. Thinking is how well you use your I.Q....whether it be to solve a problem, or come up with a new idea...or look at life from a different angle.

Your thinking determines whether that God-given intelligence of yours is unleashed, or whether it remains dormant.

Your thinking will determine whether you reach your potential, or whether you don't. Having a high I.Q. is great, but you also need to know how to use it. (How many academics do you know that have very high intelligence, but struggle to perform well in life?)

On the other hand, having a low I.Q. is not the end of the story. Improving your thinking can still dramatically improve the results you get in life. (How many top business people are there that did not finish highschool, much less go to university?).

This has to be great news. You no longer have to be limited by your genetics...you don't need to bemoan the fact that you're not as smart as Einstein.

Instead, you can develop your thinking skills. You can become a first rate thinker. And dramatically improve the results that you get in life.

Let the thinking begin!