There are only a few individuals in this world who manage to develop rational thinking and master it. It’s because our emotions are so intertwined with our decisions making ability that it’s hard to say if we are rational. In this post, we will learn about how we can develop rational thinking over a period of time. I will share a few tips that you need to practice.

What Is Rational Thinking?

Rational thinking takes into account your emotional biases before making any decision. We make decisions based on our emotions most of the time. Robert Greene has defined the difference between rationality and irrationality as:

We constantly feel emotions, and they continually infect our thinking, making us veer toward thoughts that please us and soothe our egos. It is impossible to not have our inclinations and feelings somehow involved in what we think. Rational people are aware of this and through introspection and effort are able, to some extent, to subtract emotions from their thinking and counteract their effect. Irrational people have no such awareness. They rush into action without carefully considering the ramifications and consequences.
Robert Greene

So, you need to understand the above statement carefully. You need to filter out your emotions from your thinking. So, here are some tips to become more rational.

1. Think, Don’t React!

The first step in becoming a rational person is to think instead of reacting. Emotions play an important role in shaping our decisions and reactions to the situation we confront. Emotions and our thinking are intertwined together. Rationality is the ability to think instead of reacting (counteract emotions) and to see what exactly happening instead of what you are really feeling.

2. Become Aware Of The Low-Grade Irrationality (Mental Biases)

There are many mental biases that interfere with our thinking. You need to identify those mental biases and remove them. Here is how to identify them:

Confirmation Bias: I look at the evidence and arrive at my decisions through more or less rational processes.
Conviction Bias: I believe in this idea so strongly. It must be true.
Appearance Bias: I understand the people I deal with; I see them just as they are.
The Group Bias: My ideas are my own. I do not listen to the group. I am not a conformist.
The Blame Bias: I learn from my experience and mistakes.
Superiority Bias: I am different. I am more rational than others, and more ethical as well.

3. Become Aware of The High-Grade Irrationality ( Reactive – High Emotions)

Well, unlike mental biases we have high-grade irrationality which is our reactive emotions. We tend to become very angry or lose control over our emotions. You need to understand the sources of such reactive emotions. Here is how you can find them;

Find out the trigger points from early childhood. Figure it out and deal with it.
Sudden Gain & Losses: Most of the time we lose control because of the sudden unexpected losses. Deal with it.
Not able to think under stressful circumstances.
Inflaming individuals ( People who trigger strong emotions in others)
Negative group effect ( Hatred for others & swiping worldviews etc.)

4. You May Be Wrong!

Most of the time we have the wrong idea about rationality. Robert Greene says

We feel a tremendous pull to imagine ourselves as rational, decent, and ethical. These are qualities highly promoted in the culture. To show signs otherwise is to risk great disapproval. If all of this were true – if people were rational and morally superior – the world would be suffused with goodness and peace. We know, however, the reality, and so some people, perhaps all of us, are merely deceiving ourselves. Rationality and ethical qualities must be achieved through awareness and effort. They don’t come naturally. They come through a maturation process.

5. Practice This To Develop Rational Thinking

Know yourself thoroughly (Negative side, positive side, biased side, decision-making ability, thinking pattern etc.)
Increase your reaction time. (Reflect within before you react to anything. Take your time)
Examine your emotions to their roots (Dig Deep)
Accept people as facts ( Everyone is different don’t try to change them. Accept them as they are.)
Find the right ratio and balance of thinking and emotion.
Become a bit more rational each day. Fall in love with the process.

You need to practice how to become rational each day by practising the above-mentioned points. Drop your thoughts in the comment section below. Watch the video to learn more.

Originally published at Odist for business

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5 Amazing Tips To Develop Rational Thinking