Think for Yourself
When you accept everything you're told without question, you open the door to being manipulated. If you want to avoid being someone else's puppet, follow these steps.
Contents
Steps
- Ask questions, particularly the question "why?". Ask everyone (not just the so-called experts), and try to answer your own questions as well. When you get an answer, try to think of exceptions, and then ask yourself why those exceptions exist. Never be satisfied until you arrive at an answer that has very few exceptions.
- Look for selfish motives. Some people will become very annoyed, and perhaps even offended, that you're questioning something they accept without question. Whenever people want you to think a certain way, it's because it benefits them in some way. But that benefit is not always obvious or direct.
- People want you to adopt their perspective because it makes them feel more comfortable and secure (safety in numbers).
- People's beliefs make it easier for them to feel like a good person. These people don't want those beliefs challenged because it's as if you were challenging them personally - it seems to them that you are questioning their "good-person-hood".
- People are often trying to look out for your best interest, and truly want you to be in step with their beliefs without looking into their statements any further.
- People just want to be seen as authoritative and trusted, so they're personally invested in whether or not you buy into the things they say. That's why they take it personally if you don't automatically buy in.
- Stop being a people pleaser. People who don't think for themselves are often scared of disagreeing with others, and scared of "rocking the boat". A freethinker, on the other hand, bases their self worth on something other than what people think of them. These people may still experience rejection, discomfort, and anguish, but they will continue to think for themselves.
- In cases where someone says he "just wants the best for you," you may be accused of distrust, and it could make you feel guilty. But keep in mind that anyone who truly cares for you will be willing to patiently explain their point of view and why they feel that way, and allow you to decide for yourself whether that is enough evidence for you.
- Challenge yourself. What do I want to do? Why should I do it? What would I get if I do it? What am I getting for not doing it? Ask these questions. For example, challenge: I dare myself to ask the girl in my class out.
- Why? It would save me all the frustration I'm having now.
- Why not? It would make me embarrassed in front of her or other people if she rejects me. Do I exactly know what they would think? ok if someone would ask a girl out in front of me, how I would I feel? probably I will feel better about that guy 'he is daring' and would I mind ? no ...may be. Even if they think that way, should I care? what would I get if cared about what they think.
- What would happen if she says 'yes' to go out with me? I would feel so much better and confident. I would get a date, confidence and fun to know a new person.
- If I didn't? Same life and same routine. But at least I tried to talk to her.
- Do the research. Look into the statements made by others. You'll be amazed at how many times you'll find lots of evidence to contradict the statements of others. Yet, some people spout erroneous information and never question the accuracy or truth of what they're saying. Use Google or go to the library, and search for information to prove or disprove the statements made. Remember where you get the "evidence" from. Be aware that, just because you saw it in a book or on the internet, that alone does not make it the truth. A lot of websites commonly seen as a font of knowledge (Wikipedia is a good example of this) can in fact be edited by absolutely anyone, and inserting false information happens (it's known as "wiki-salting").
- Decide whether to speak up. Thinking for yourself is one thing; expressing your thoughts is another. If your conclusions don't line up with those of others, you can keep them to yourself, or present your own perspective. Just be aware that the latter is likely to lead to heated arguments (see above).
- Once you've found evidence, one way or the other, you can speak up about it. "Yes, you know after we talked last time, I was so interested that I looked that up. That's amazing, isn't it, hard to believe, but true!" Or conversely, you can say, "I know that sounds amazing, and I hate to burst the bubble because it's fun to believe that could be true, but I looked it up, and it looks like it isn't true. I feel bad to be the bearer of bad news, but I just don't think that's true. You can look at (wherever you found your disproving evidence) and see for yourself."
- If you'd rather avoid arguments and debates, employ some evasive manoeuvres. Change the subject, find a reason to step away, or just say "I don't really want to talk about this right now."
- Be humble. When you're breaking the news that your friend is passing along a false tale, let them know in a humble and compassionate way - don't just come in crowing and congratulating yourself for debunking a myth. You may look smart to others for a minute, but to your friend, you look like a jerk.
- Live outside your comfort zone. Not only will some people be very perturbed by your refusal to take their statements at face value, but you will also learn to question your own assumptions, and that can make you feel lost and confused, like walking into a dark room. It takes courage to face uncertainty. Be Bold.
- Beware paralysis by analysis. When you're thinking for yourself, you're taking full responsibility for your life and your actions, because you can't say you were trusting someone else's judgement. This can be very nerve-wracking, and lead to excessive self-doubt. Remember that thinking for yourself doesn't mean being sure. It means making decisions based on your own analysis, rather than someone else's. There will always be some degree of uncertainty, no matter what, that you must learn to accept and cope with.
- Don't be afraid of being wrong. It's okay to be wrong. It is impossible to know everything that there is to know. When you find yourself in a situation where you have been proven wrong, accept it. Try and improve your knowledge in that field and find the answer.
Tips
- Be strong. Remember you're the best at who you are.
- At its core, thinking for yourself requires you to be humble and say "I really don't know. That's why I'm asking."
- Be relentlessly curious and honest about doubts. Maintaining a subpar answer removes all hopes of thinking at all.
Warnings
- If your decision was wrong at anytime, don't undervalue yourself. Try to learn and improve from it.
