Think Out of the Box: Ways to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

“Think out of the box” is a phrase we often hear, but what does it mean? For starters, it means thinking differently, breaking away from the ordinary, and coming up with new ideas. Critical thinking is a highly sought-after skill in a variety of professions. The ability to think differently opens up new opportunities and leads to greater success. So, how can one develop the ability to think out of the box? The answer is simple: to think differently, one must do differently. Here are eight ways to develop critical thinking skills:

1. Play Children’s Games
Playing children’s games is a great way to challenge the mind and develop critical thinking skills. Many of these games, such as SnapCircuits, Swish, Set, and Gravity Maze, are designed to stimulate the mind and force players to think creatively. Playing these games with your children or friends can be a fun way to develop the ability to think differently.

2. Meet Different People
Meeting different people is a great way to learn new things and develop critical thinking skills. Every person is a treasure trove of information and ideas waiting to be discovered. A simple conversation with someone can trigger new streams of thought and inspire research on new topics. Network at every opportunity, make friendly referrals, and get involved in community projects to meet new people.

3. Have New Experiences
New experiences, both good and bad, can trigger new ways of thinking. Exploring new cuisines, taking a new route to work, traveling to different destinations, and experiencing new cultures are all great ways to challenge the mind and develop critical thinking skills. Through these experiences, we learn to adapt to new situations and ways of thinking.

4. Exposure to Different Ideas
People are filled with ideas, and books are a great way to explore them. Reading books on various topics by different authors is a fantastic way to expose oneself to new ideas and ways of thinking. Going to the bookstore, picking up random books/magazines, and reading them is a fantastic way to learn about new topics.

5. Get Your Facts Right
The first step to forming your own opinion is to form it based on the right facts. Investigate and ascertain facts from credible sources and avoid forming opinions based on emotions and perceptions. Try to create a habit of double-checking facts when forming an opinion.

6. Write a Persuasive Essay
Writing persuasive essays on high school topics is another way to develop critical thinking skills. Choose a persuasive topic from a high school list of prompts, gather the facts, spend time thinking about your views on the topic, and write persuasively to convince someone of your view. Doing one essay a week can sharpen one’s skills in no time!

7. Hold a Group Discussion
Gather a group of friends and hold group discussions. Pick a topic from a pre-prepared list of prompts or choose one on the spot. Divide the group into two sub-teams to speak either for or against the topic. All members have a chance to speak for about 3 minutes, followed by open discussion where members question and support each other’s points.

8. Use an Objective Lens
We often view the world through our personal lenses, which can cloud our judgement. It’s important to practice viewing the world objectively and taking in all available information without bias. This requires conscious effort and practice.

In conclusion, each of these eight ways to develop critical thinking skills challenges the mind, opens up new experiences and ideas, and develops the ability to think out of the box. Experimenting with different tactics or combining them may be the best way to sharpen one’s critical thinking skills. So, step out of the comfort zone and see what the world has to offer – there’s no limit to the potential of critical thinking!