【中文版在后面】

Are you thinking clearly as often as you should or want? In a demanding and information-overloaded world, there's few things important. Thinking clearly is one of them.

Our brains are often clouded or distracted. Instead of thinking clearly, we let our behaviors be guided by our impulses, cognitive bias, or limited attention span.

The consequences are not rarely pretty dramatic. We make the wrong choices, make decisions we regret, and do things we should never have done. Or we don't take action while we should.

To improve on this, I like these five “Principles of Thinking Clearly” :

Principle 1. 

Read Widely with Maximum Curiosity

The broader and deeper your understanding, the more clearly you can think. Knowing multiple perspectives allows you to look at things from different angles. Reading (or listening) is the way to learn these perspectives.

Principle 2. 

Put Reality First and Theory Last

While theory, concepts and models can be very useful and provide clarity, they should never replace reality. How things ought to be or what they look like in an ideal (theoretical) world is less relevant than how they really are.

Principle 3. 

Keep Money and Status Out of it

Self-interest is one of the most important factors clouding our thinking. As soon as we know we can gain or lose power, money, status, or anything else, we're getting biased in our thinking. So, keep them out.

Principle 4. 

Manage Your Identity

Like self-interest, being strongly attached to something can also be a barrier to clear thinking. As soon as something touches your norms, values, beliefs or identity, the less clear your thinking becomes. Keep them separate

Principle 5. 

Skin in the Game

If there is no consequence of what you think, say or do, then it’s easy to accept bullshit. Anything goes, so nothing matters. Therefore, make sure that you live by the things you think, say and do.

Apply these five principles and you're thinking more clearly. Simple? Yes. Easy? Probably not. But, if you manage to apply all five, I bet you'll make a significant improvement. I know I do…

The effect goes far beyond merely thinking. Clearer thinking will also lead to better action, and even to becoming a nicer and better person. You'll be more grounded, open minded, kinder, and responsive.

Are you thinking clearly?

【中文版】

你是否像你应该或想要的那样经常地清晰地思考？在一个要求苛刻且信息过载的世界中，很少有重要的事情。清晰地思考就是其中之一。

我们的大脑经常浑浊或分心。我们没有清晰地思考，而是让我们的行为受到我们的冲动、认知偏见或有限的注意力持续时间的指导。

其后果并不罕见，非常戏剧化。我们做出错误的选择，做出我们后悔的决定，做我们不应该做的事情。或者我们没有在我们应该采取行动的时候采取行动。

为了改进这一点，我喜欢 这五个“清晰思考的原则”：

原则1.

以最大的好奇心广泛阅读

你的理解越广泛、越深入，你就能越清晰地思考。了解多个角度可以让您从不同的角度看待事物。阅读（或倾听）是学习这些观点的方式。

原则2.

把现实放在第一位，把理论放在最后

虽然理论、概念和模型非常有用并提供清晰度，但它们永远不应该取代现实。事物应该是什么样子，或者它们在理想（理论）世界中是什么样子，不如它们的实际情况那么重要。

原则3.

将金钱和地位排除在外

利己主义是影响我们思维的最重要因素之一。一旦我们知道我们可以获得或失去权力、金钱、地位或其他任何东西，我们的思想就会变得有偏见。所以，把他们拒之门外。

原则4.

管理您的身份

就像利己主义一样，对某事的强烈依恋也可能成为清晰思考的障碍。一旦某件事触及了你的规范、价值观、信仰或身份，你的思想就会变得越不清晰。将它们分开

原则5.

游戏中的皮肤

如果你的想法、所说的话或所做的没有后果，那么很容易接受胡说八道。任何事情都会发生，所以什么都不重要。因此，确保你按照你所想、所说和做的事情生活。

应用这五个原则，你的思维就会更清晰。简单？是的。容易？可能不是。但是，如果你设法应用所有五个，我敢打赌你会取得显着的进步。我知道我愿意...

其效果远远超出了单纯的思考。更清晰的思维也会带来更好的行动，甚至会成为一个更好、更好的人。你会更踏实、思想开放、更善良、反应更灵敏。

你想清楚了吗？