A guide to identifying, nurturing and growing our insight and creativity for more effective thinking.We know that our minds are capable of great things because, every now and then, they come out with a very brilliant idea or two. However, our minds are also tantalisingly unpredictable, spending worryingly large stretches of time idling or distracting themselves.This is a book about how to optimise these beautiful yet fitful instruments so that they can more regularly and generously produce the sort of insights and ideas we need to fulfil our potential - and achieve the contentment we deserve. We learn - among other things - how to grasp fragile and flighty thoughts before they disappear through anxiety and fear, at what times of day to try to work and for how long, how to make use of our boredom and instincts - and how to overcome timid and predictable approaches to the largest problems.

Autorentext

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people to lead more fulfilled lives. We do this via our articles, books, app, films, therapeutic services and corporate offering.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Our range of books and products explore essential topics in psychological and emotional life, including relationships, parenting, friendship, careers and fulfilment.

Klappentext

We know that our minds are capable of great things because, every and creativity now and then, they come out with a brilliant idea or two. However, our minds are also unpredictable, spending large stretches of time idling or distracting themselves.

This is a book about how to optimize these beautiful yet fitful instruments so that they can more regularly and generously produce the sort of insights and ideas we need to fulfil our potential and achieve the contentment we deserve. Among other things, we learn how to grasp fragile and flighty thoughts before they disappear through anxiety and fear; at what times of day to try to work and for how long; how to make use of our boredom and instincts; and how to overcome timid and predictable approaches to the largest problems.

The result is an operating manual to that most wondrous, though intermittent and always baffling, organ: the human mind.

Inhalt

Introduction

1 Strategic Thinking

2 Cumulative Thinking

3 Butterfly Thinking

4 Independent Thinking

5 Focused Thinking

6 Philosophical Meditation

7 'Mad' Thinking

8 Friend Thinking

9 Reading Thinking

10 Envious Thinking

11 Analogical Thinking

12 Empathetic Thinking

13 Death Thinking

14 Love Thinking

15 Skeptical Thinking