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- š§ ā” Thinking About Thinking (pt 1)
š§ ā” Thinking About Thinking (pt 1)
Learning How to Learn
Thinking About Thinking (pt 1)
Estimated reading āļø time - 11 minutes
Hello Reframers!
I often think about how much noise and distraction exist in todayās world, and I canāt help but think about the damage this does to our attention, focus, and mental clarity. If youāre tired of being unproductive or want to address brain fog, keep on reading!
The infinite dopamine rush that is scrolling through funny videos and raccoon memes on IG (Iāve never had TikTok, but I hear/know itās more addicting) led me to explore how to take the power back (timeless) and regain control over my attention, focus, and learning.
As someone who was formally diagnosed with ADHD and formerly took Adderall to get work done - using some of the below principles and concepts, I have been able to find natural and proven ways to increase my focus and ability to think clearly, and learn more efficiently and effectively. (This does not constitute medical advice - just things that have worked well for me!)
Keep on reading Reframers, or as my cousin thinks we should refer to ourselvesā¦ Reframies. The logic here is that Taylor Swift fans are called Swifties and not Swifters and itās hard to argue such sound logic.
The Inspiration
I recently listened to a podcast by Shane Parrish, The Knowledge Project, where he provides insightful clips from 5 of the top minds on learning, thinking, and focus. This episode provided such insightful takeaways that I wanted to deep-dive into some of the concepts and introduce other themes and ideas from the guests.
In addition to some of the major concepts from the podcast, I have incorporated other findings from my readings and research. Each section will start with the main takeaways from the podcast and be supplemented with or supported by my additional findings and research.
Since this is a lot of material - Iām only covering the first three contributors listed below and will continue part 2 next week!
First, let me give you some background on the guestsā¦
Daniel Kahneman - renowned psychologist and Nobel laureate, best known for his work in behavioral economics, exploring how psychological factors affect economic decision-making.
Barbara Oakley - engineering professor and author, widely recognized for her contributions to the field of learning and for her online courses and books on learning effectively.
Adam Robinson - author, educator, and co-founder of The Princeton Review (and wicked good at chess), known for his expertise in test preparation and insights into the human mind and decision-making.
Tyler Cowen - an economist, academic, and writer. Cowen is a professor at George Mason University known for his blog Marginal Revolution, which focuses on economics, technology, and culture.
Adam Grant - renowned organizational psychologist, author, and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, known for his research on workplace dynamics, leadership, and the psychology of success.
Letās Jump In
Daniel Kahneman: The Architecture of Clear Thought
Crafting Thoughtful Spaces
Kahnemanās research suggests that we might need to step into environments that inherently foster concentration to think clearly. For some, that might be amidst the gentle hum of a cafĆ© rather than the silence of a library.
For example, I am sitting in my gymās cafe, overhearing two middle-aged women discussing their jealous husbands and location tracking.
Para mi, overhearing Sunday gossip amidst the background of strawberries, bananas, and whey protein whirring together to become smoothies in the background is just the energy I need to focus on this newsletter. It just works for me.
If Iām working from home, I enjoy listening to a podcast in the background, so Iām constantly learning/hearing new things, and I feel like other people are in the room with me (sad, I know). For intense, deep-focus work, I listen to instrumental house music or classical piano music to help me get into a flow state. (Iām listening to a YouTube French House Mix as I type this š„)
These are just a few things I do to learn and work more effectively - aligned with Kahnemanās suggestions.
Do you need complete peace and quiet to do your best work? Try a library, your home office, or book a meeting room at your companyās office for a few hours. You may find that your focus style changes depending on the work you are doing.
A Book Plug (of Course)
Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow" is a seminal work exploring the dichotomy between two modes of thought: "fast" intuitive, emotional thinking (System 1) and "slow" more logical, deliberate thinking (System 2).
Here are some key š takeaways from the book that I found practical, interesting, or just plain cool.
Two Systems of Thinking
Kahneman describes two ways the brain forms thoughts.
System 1 is fast, instinctive, and emotional; System 2 is slower šø, more deliberative, and more logical.
Understanding these systems helps explain a wide array of behaviors and decisions.
System 1 Brain when tasked with thinkingā¦
Overconfidence
One of the critical themes is the overconfidence that arises from automatic System 1, leading to an illusion of understanding and optimism bias.
Relying too heavily on our innate or immediate abilities can lead to ignoring risks and making overly optimistic predictions.
Heuristics and Biases
The book delves into various cognitive biases that affect our thinking - System 1 often relies on shortcuts, leading to predictable errors in judgment.
System 1 Example
How many animals did Moses take on the ark?
(Answer revealed further down the newsletter)
"What gets in the way of clear thinking is... intuitive views of almost everything."
My main takeaway is that sometimes, your intuition could lie to you. Step back to ensure your āgut feelingā isn't leading you astray and āreframeā your thinking.
Answer: 0.
Most people donāt get this right because their System 1 brain read the word āMosesā, a two-syllable biblical figure, and gave it the ole OK. It was āNoahā who indeed took animals on an ark. I must admit, I got it wrong, too.
This serves as a reality check example of how our System 1 Brain takes shortcuts and can lead us astray.
Barbara Oakley: The Learning Dance
Two Modes of Thinking: Diffused vs Focused Thinking
Oakley explains that two primary modes of thinking contribute to learning: focused and diffused.
Focused thinking is when you directly concentrate on a task, engaging deeply with a specific material or a problem. | Diffused thinking, on the other hand, is more about letting your mind wander and forming connections more freely and creatively. |
The main takeaway is that one is not better than the other, but alternating between them can enhance the learning process.
3 Takeaways: Learning How to Learn About Learning
Overcoming Procrastination Oakley discusses how procrastination is often linked to our brain's natural response to potential discomfort or pain. Overcoming this starts with understanding that initial discomfort with something challenging and finding strategies to push past it.
The Pomodoro Technique š Francesco Cirillo founded this technique at University (as the Europeans say), which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break.
This typically follows an undistracted 25 min work bout followed by 5-10 min of rest. I like 45 min - 1 hour of work followed by 10 min of rest, but that is more of a technique I learned from a book called āDeep Workā by Cal Newport, who recommends 90 min - 120 min of intentional, focused work with 2-3 Deep Work blocks per day.
(Update: I now exclusively use the Pomodoro technique for doing work. Especially when Iām not motivated)
FYI: Pomodoro is Italian for tomato. Named after the tomato-looking kitchen timer used by Francesco Cirillo, who founded this technique
Try out this free online Pomodoro timer. This is the one that I use! (Nothing fancy)
Exercise and Learning Oakley emphasizes the integration of exercise with learning to enhance cognitive function and learning efficiency.
I couldnāt write a focus and attention newsletter without mentioning exercise.
She advocates for active breaks during study sessions, such as walking or stretching, to stimulate focused and diffused thinking modes.
Regular aerobic exercise boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), another Andrew Huberman special, aiding in neuron growth and memory. Hit that zone 2 people, you may be smarter for it! Iām typing this while walking on my under-desk treadmill.
Integrating physical activity into your daily learning routine can energize the brain, facilitate creative connections, and improve overall learning effectiveness.
Oakleyās emphasis on the balance between focused and diffused thinking, along with practical techniques like the Pomodoro method, offers useful takeaways that are easy to implement daily.
If you work in an office with others, please donāt do jumping jacks or push-ups in the middle of the office during rest periods.
Adam Robinson: The Intuition of Insights
Robinson reminds us that our most profound insights often defy logic and come from a place beyond conscious thought.
Surprise as a Beacon
When the world defies our expectations, it's not the world that's off-kilterāour understanding of it might be wrong. Robinson encourages us to explore the illogical, which may lead us to our most significant breakthroughs.
Adam Robinson on Learning and Thinking
The Nature of Thinking
Robinson emphasizes that thinking is more about asking relentless questions than following a strict logical path. (If youāve ever spent time around a 3-year-old, they are constantly learning and utterly relentless with their āwhy?ā questions. But, you have to admit they learn a lot by doing so.)
He suggests that our most significant insights often come spontaneously and unexpectedly and seem illogical initially.
āJudge a man by his questions rather than by his answers."
4 Main Takeaways
Intuition and Unconscious Thought
Robinson believes that many profound truths and insights come from this intuitive, non-logical space and encourages us to connect with and understand our unconscious thoughts.
The Learning Process
He advocates for ārehearsingā the skills one wants to master. This involves practicing precisely what you must do in the real scenario, including all subskills.
Robinson criticizes traditional methods of studying, like rereading notes, which don't replicate the conditions of a real test or situation.
Gif by 901FPV on Giphy
Overcoming Confirmation Bias
Robinson discusses the importance of being open to ideas that might seem illogical or contrary to our beliefs.
He warns against the trap of confirmation bias, where we dismiss things that don't fit into our worldview. Doesnāt our society need to take this advice seriously?
The Importance of Surprises
He strongly emphasizes the value of surprises.
When something surprises us, it indicates that our model of the world is off, thus presenting an opportunity for learning and growth.
"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. It's not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions and embracing the unknown.ā
Adam Robinson's insights shed light on the more nuanced aspects of thinking and learning. He suggests that true understanding often emerges from synthesizing structured, logical thought and our unconscious mind's more fluid, intuitive insights.
His emphasis on rehearsal as a learning technique underscores the need for active, practical engagement with material rather than passive review or memorization. His ideas offer a unique perspective on better approaching learning and thinking in all aspects of life.
Hopefully, you can carry some of these new insights and takeaways into your next week (preferably indefinitely, but one step at a time š)
Stay tuned for part two next week!
-Chief Reframer (for now) and CTO (Chief Thinking Officer) š
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