Image: Instagram/@happiness.library
Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish is a practical guide to rational decision-making. It aims to help readers overcome their biases and make clear-cut, fact-based decisions.
Images: Shutterstock
Good position
Parrish states that the best people in the world always try not to be in a bad position because it is easier to think clearly and make the right decisions when one is in a good position.
Enemies of clear thinking
The book emphasises four different biases or instincts we have, which prevent us from thinking clearly. These are emotional, ego, social and inertia defaults.
Emotional default
It refers to people responding based on the emotions they feel in the moment, rather than relying on reasons and facts. This leads to regrettable actions and strained relationships.
Ego default
It's the tendency to react to anything that threatens a person’s sense of self-worth or their position in a group hierarchy. It leads to reactive behaviour.
Social default
People conform to the norms and behaviours of their social group, prioritising fitting in over critical thinking. It stops us from taking risks.
Inertial default
It describes people’s tendency to stick to familiar behaviour patterns even though they no longer serve their situation or are no longer effective.
Overcoming biases
Parrish highlights four strengths to overcome biases: self-accountability, self-knowledge, self-control and self-confidence.
HALT rule
The author suggests using the HALT rule (used by alcoholics in recovery). It advises you not to make decisions when you’re hungry, angry, lonely and/or tired.
Final thought
“Doing something different means you might underperform, but it also means you might change the game entirely,” Shane Parrish says.
Thanks for reading!
See next