We all think. Thoughts come and go throughout the day, influencing how we interpret situations, make decisions, respond to challenges, and experience the world around us. But while having thoughts is automatic, knowing how to work with them is a skill.
Some people have developed the ability to recognize what they’re thinking, understand why they’re thinking it, evaluate their thoughts, and intentionally decide how to engage with them. Others may move through their thoughts without recognizing the patterns, assumptions, and influences shaping their thinking.
The difference isn’t necessarily intelligence, education, or how much someone knows. It’s the ability to understand and work with one’s own thoughts.
So, what distinguishes a skilled thinker from an unskilled thinker?
There are several differences between a skilled from unskilled thinker, and skilled thinking will benefit individuals differently, here we’ll talk about 7 key areas that differentiate a skilled from unskilled thinker.
A skilled thinker:
- knows their thoughts can be examined and reframed
- recognizes patterns in their thinking
- understands what influences their thoughts
- evaluates their interpretations
- chooses how to engage with their thoughts
- processes persistent thoughts
- directs their thinking toward what they can influence
A skilled thinker knows their thoughts can be examined.
An unskilled thinker may automatically accept a thought as true simply because it appears in their mind. They may not recognize that a thought is an interpretation, assumption, or reaction that can be questioned.
A skilled thinker understands that having a thought doesn’t make it accurate. They step back, examine what they’re thinking, and consider whether the thought is supported by facts or influenced by assumptions, emotions, or previous experiences.
The difference: One automatically accepts thoughts. The other recognizes that thoughts can be examined.
A skilled thinker recognizes patterns in their thinking.
People often experience the same types of thoughts repeatedly. They may anticipate the worst, assume the intentions of others, focus on what could go wrong, or repeatedly question their own decisions.
An unskilled thinker gets caught in these recurring patterns without recognizing them. Because the thoughts feel familiar, they may seem natural or even inevitable.
A skilled thinker knows how to recognize recurring patterns and understand the beliefs and underlying concerns that contribute to them. This awareness creates an opportunity to work with those patterns rather than continually repeat them.
The difference: One gets caught in recurring thought patterns. The other recognizes and works with them.
A skilled thinker understands what influences their thoughts.
Our thinking doesn’t happen in isolation. Our experiences, relationships, environment, culture, emotions, and the information we consume can all influence how we interpret situations.
An unskilled thinker doesn’t recognize these influences. They may assume their perspective is simply the way things are, without considering what has shaped it.
A skilled thinker is more aware of the factors influencing their thoughts. They recognize when their environment, experiences, or current emotional state may be affecting how they are interpreting something.
The difference: One may be unaware of what is shaping their thinking. The other recognizes the influences behind it.
A skilled thinker evaluates their interpretations.
Two people can experience the same situation and interpret it very differently. What one person sees as rejection, another may see as a misunderstanding. What one person views as failure, another may see as an opportunity to learn.
An unskilled thinker treats their initial interpretation as the only possible explanation. They likely make assumptions without considering other perspectives or checking facts.
A skilled thinker understands that their interpretation is not necessarily correct and can be influenced by their beliefs and past experiences. They question assumptions, look for evidence, consider alternative explanations, and consider if their interpretation is helpful and accurate.
The difference: One treats an interpretation as fact. The other knows an interpretation can be evaluated.
A skilled thinker chooses how to engage with their thoughts.
Thoughts can trigger automatic reactions and chaotic thoughts. A worry about one thing can lead to more worrying. While a negative assumption can influence how someone responds to an otherwise neutral situation. And a passing thought can become something that spiral and repeats for hours.
An unskilled thinker will follow these thoughts automatically, allowing them to determine their attention, emotions, and responses, not considering how to process or interact with their thoughts differently.
A skilled thinker recognizes a thought and decides what to do with it. They can choose whether to examine it, challenge it, redirect their attention, or let it go. They also know they don’t have to engage with every thought that comes along.
The difference: One automatically follows their thoughts. The other intentionally decides how to respond.
A skilled thinker works through persistent thoughts.
Sometimes a thought repeats because something hasn’t been understood, addressed, or resolved. Simply trying to ignore it will not make it go away, and actively trying to suppress it, will likely make the thought stronger.
An unskilled thinker will repeatedly revisit the same issue without making progress. They may replay conversations, dwell on possibilities, or keep asking themselves the same questions without reaching a clearer understanding.
A skilled thinker recognizes when a thought needs to be processed. They work through what is bothering them, identify what they need to understand or address, and move toward a more intentional response.
The difference: One gets stuck repeatedly thinking about an issue. The other works through it to gain understanding and determine what to do next.
A skilled thinker directs their thinking toward what they can influence.
Not everything that occupies our thoughts is within our control. We can spend a considerable amount of time thinking about other people’s decisions, past events, or uncertain outcomes without being able to change them.
An unskilled thinker continues focusing on what they cannot control, allowing those thoughts to consume their attention. (Likely in an effort to feel more in control.)
A skilled thinker recognizes the difference between what they can control, what they can influence, and what they need to accept. They redirect their thinking toward what is within their ability to address and building their uncertainty tolerance.
The difference: One remains focused on what they cannot change. The other directs their thinking toward what they can influence.
Developing the skills to become a skilled thinker
Being a skilled thinker is strengthening your natural ability to recognize, understand, evaluate, and work with your thoughts. It’s understanding that having thoughts is automatic, but becoming a skilled thinker is something you need to actively work on and develop.
This doesn’t mean you’ll always have the best thoughts, or that you’ll never experience negative thoughts, but you’ll be in a better position to manage your thoughts and make better decisions.
To be a skilled thinker you need to focus on thought literacy, the skillset for thoughts. Thought literacy brings together the knowledge and skills needed to recognize how you think and work skillfully with your thoughts. Just like other literacy and skills, thought literacy can be developed.
You’ll never know your true potential until you develop a better understanding of how your thinking works and start working with your thoughts in ways that support you.
Thoughts?