Development of analytical skills: think broadly

Analytics and people

Some people have good analytical skills from childhood. This is due to the fact that the left hemisphere of their brain is dominant over the right. It is what is responsible for this type of thinking. But those who are not inclined to analytics from birth should not be upset, because... When performing certain exercises, analytical capabilities will quickly increase.

Analytical thinking is responsible for several important points:

Detailed analysis of current events, as well as various phenomena;
Determining prospects and all subsequent events from certain actions;
Construction of logical chains;
Identification of advantages or disadvantages in any phenomena;
Ability to separate major details from minor ones;
Solving everyday problems or tasks;
The ability to reason correctly and express thoughts;
Correct time planning, maintaining work sequence;
Clarity of any logical conclusions;
Making the right decisions.

People with well-developed analytical skills are very effective and easily achieve any goals. It is much easier for them to communicate with others, they can boast of good logic and observation, which seriously helps in everyday life and work. Calculating any task several steps ahead is the simplest task for such a person. It is these benefits that make people think about ways to improve themselves.

Analytical thinking is closely related to critical thinking. When combined, both types become even more effective. They give a person the opportunity to objectively assess what is happening around him, quickly find solutions, and also see shortcomings where others do not notice them. They often actively interact with logical thinking, which allows them to find patterns, anticipate future events in advance, and clearly justify their position on any issue. Their combination makes a person very smart.

Literature

Great benefits can be gained from reading good literature. People who read a lot stand out from others with their erudition, the ability to speak beautifully, a wide vocabulary, and also success. With the help of books you can even influence the quality of analytical thinking. Moreover, there is no need to read complex specialized literature, because You can train such skills with the help of works of art. But this does not mean that you should abandon popular science books. What books should you read to develop analytical thinking:

“Engineering Heuristics” (D. Gavrilov) is a book about thinking that helps you learn to think correctly, solve complex problems, and draw conclusions.
“Logic and tactical thinking” (C. Phillips) - allows you to qualitatively train your brain to correctly solve any issues.
"Book of Solutions. 50 models of strategic thinking" (M. Krogerus, R. Tscheppeler) is a book that helps you find solutions in any situation.

You can also read other books that teach you about the brain and thinking or challenge you to solve complex problems. From fiction, it is worth paying attention to the works of R. Bradbury, A. Christie or A. K. Doyle. All of them will help in developing analytical skills and discovering new talents.

While reading fiction, you should analyze the actions of the characters and also think about why they did what they did. Additionally, you can think about how events would have developed if the character had acted differently.

Let's reveal the essence of the term

In simple words, it is a natural gift, but it can be developed. Just first you need to decide whether you need it. As a rule, an analytical mindset is necessary for people who are engaged in science, writing, medicine, various investigations, lawyers, accountants, political scientists, and so on. The product of their labor will be examined by other people, so the result must be flawless and error-free.

Thus, we have lifted the curtain on the question of what an analytical mindset means. Let's say you decide to develop these abilities, let's figure out how to do it. Or maybe they already exist? How to recognize them?

Intellectual training

You can also develop analytical skills at home with the help of intellectual puzzles. These can be both complex exercises and easy puzzles. This option can be used by both teenagers and adults. But for small children it will be too difficult.

Basic techniques:

Mathematics. Solving various problems, performing complex algebraic operations, counting in your head, passing tests - all this has a direct impact on analytical thinking.
Puzzles. Rebuses, ciphers, crosswords or other types of puzzles are very effective for the human brain. They can be used from an early age.
Chess. With the help of chess you can greatly develop your brain. If it is not possible to play with a real opponent, then you can use the help of artificial intelligence or solve special tasks.
Programming. Learning the features of programming brings good results, but may be too difficult for teenagers, which is why it is best used among adults.

Developing analytical skills using this method allows you to achieve good results in a short period of time. But this will require developing strict discipline and not missing classes.

It is possible to improve analytical thinking in adolescents through a serious approach to school lessons and regular homework.

How analytical thinking is useful

Analytics skills are necessary for certain professions, such as investigators. These skills are also needed by every person in everyday life in order to:

Quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of people, objects and events.
It is correct to divide the process of achieving a goal into stages.
Make decisions based on statistical data.
Identify limitations and opportunities in the process of achieving goals.
Determine what is important and what is secondary.
Analyze the experience gained, draw conclusions and conclusions based on it.
Predict future events or plan of action.

The opinion that it is necessary to develop ways of thinking only in childhood is erroneous. Knowledge and experience alone are not enough to effectively solve everyday problems. Thinking is not the amount of accumulated knowledge about the world, but the method of applying it.

The older a person gets, the more he must work on developing his thinking processes. High brain activity prolongs life, slows down the aging process and prevents the development of senile dementia.

Games

The best way to improve analytical thinking in primary schoolchildren is through various games. They help you develop while having fun. If a child does not want to engage in any type of activity, or he simply does not like a certain game, then there is no need to force him, because in this case there will be no benefit.

What games will be effective:

Quests. You can come up with a variety of quest options, but for a small child you should give preference to the simplest ones. For example, draw a map of the yard for him, according to which he will have to find treasures hidden by his parents.
Puzzles. Finding the right elements and gradually assembling the big picture involves not only thinking, but also a person's attention. Schoolchildren should choose images that are not too large, with no more than 500 details.
Board games. You can improve your analytical skills only in those board games where all participants are required to think about their decisions or calculate future steps. This option is perfect for the whole family.

Game-based development is very effective, which is why it is practiced by many parents. You just need to choose the right games for your child.

Modeling

Adults often have no time to engage in their own development. In such cases, modeling will help. It allows you to train your thinking in a short period of time, while solving important problems. You can use the method even on the way to work or while taking a shower.

How to apply it:

Select one of the existing problems that could not be solved earlier.
Try to quickly find all the options for solving it, and then stop at one.
Think thoroughly about the problem (why it appeared, whether it needs to be solved, what consequences may arise, whether there will be advantages from eliminating it).
Make a final decision.
Perform a detailed analysis, calculating the likely outcome of events when implementing the chosen solution to the problem.

Developing analytical thinking in this way allows you to achieve good results. However, to do this you need to be able to focus on one thought and bring all your affairs to the end. In this case, you will need to allocate enough time to think about decisions.

If desired, you can simulate unusual situations or problems that you have never encountered. In some cases, this option may be even more effective.

Work principles

Analytical thinking operates through two processes:

The first, creative, seeks new information and new knowledge;
The second, formal - analyzes, synthesizes, draws conclusions and consolidates in consciousness

The formal process is based on general mathematical and physical laws - in accordance with them, all material objects and objects have common properties, similar structure and characteristics. The peculiarities of the creative process are that it is responsible for those aspects of the world that are not amenable to material laws or are outside the experience and knowledge of a particular individual, for example, what we take on faith, our intuition.

Workouts in everyday life

You can develop this type of thinking without much effort if you include some gentle exercises in your daily life. They can be used at any time. The main condition for achieving the effect will be the regularity of these trainings.

How you can train analytical skills:

Search for patterns. You should always try to find any patterns. This applies to work or study, as well as all household chores.
Formation of useful habits. Trying to develop habits has a positive effect on the brain. If at the same time they are connected with thinking (reading, mental arithmetic, inferences), then a double effect will be obtained.
Action analysis. You should consider the actions of absolutely everyone you encounter in life. It is recommended to analyze even characters from movies or books.
Thinking through the past, present, future. You need to think about why an event happened, how else it could have ended, what it will lead to in the future.
Planning a conversation. During a conversation, you should think in advance what this or that phrase will lead to, and decide what is best to say. If you manage to develop this skill, you will become a very pleasant person to talk to.

Regularly performing such exercises will allow you to achieve the desired result. But even after this, you should not stop training to maintain your thinking.