CHAPTER SUMMARY
Lesson 11 — Accurate Thought
The rules of accurate thinking are clear and simple, they are the very foundation of all successful achievements.
Fundamentals of Accurate Thought
Accurate thought involves two fundamentals. To think accurately, you must first know the difference between “Facts” and “information” and secondly, you must separate the facts as “relevant” and “irrelevant”.
What is a “Relevant Fact”?
All facts which you use in the attainment of your chief definite aim, which can be uncovered via the second Lesson in this series “A Definite Chief Aim”. All other facts are irrelevant and unimportant.
Why the separation?
Most so-called thinking is nothing but an expression of feeling, through the emotions, and the emotions are not dependable. The accurate thinker always submits his emotional desires and decisions to his head for judiciary examination before he relies upon them as being sound, for he knows that his head is more dependable than the heart.
It is mainly the neglect of some to make this separation of “facts” from “here say” which accounts for the chasm which separates so widely people who have the appearance of equal ability, and who have had equal opportunity.
Search diligently and you will discover will learn, that the more successful a person is, the less he is inclined to express wild, unjustified opinions about anything and, that all people who have acquired this habit of combining and using the important facts which affect their line of work are far from working harder, they are possibly working less and with greater ease.
Asking the QUESTION!
A simple rule which may help you avoid being misled by unsound opinions expressed by other people. When you hear someone make a statement which your reason cannot accept as being sound, or which you question. Ask a simple forward question, ‘how do you know?’ Then stand firm on that question and either force the speaker to identify the source from which he got the information he is endeavoring to pass on as a fact. Or reject the statement entirely as if it had not been made. And do this, no matter who is speaking or what may be his reputation for truth and veracity. Know that you were granted the privilege of managing your own emotions and thoughts, as your wealthiest birthright. So treat this sacred gift with the utmost reverence it is entitled to, and do not encourage others to think for you. Or to affect your thought or emotion in some way, but through the principles of Accurate thinking which are being passed on to you.
The accurate thinker scrutinizes with great care everything he reads in books or blogs, everything he hears over podcasts or television. He follows the habit of never accepting any statement as fact merely because he read it or heard it spoken. And he knows that statements bearing some portion of facts often are intentionally or carelessly colored, modified and exaggerated to give them an erroneous meaning.
- Did the writer have an ulterior or self-interest motive in writing the book, other than that of imparting accurate information?
- Is the writer a professional propagandist whose business is that of influencing public opinion?
- Has the writer a profit interest in the subjects on which he writes?
- Is the writer a person with sound judgment, and not a fanatic on the subject about which he writes?
- Are there reasonably accessible sources from which the writer’s statements may be checked and verified? If so, what are they?
Rules to establish Accurate Thinking
Seven rules to follow which if you memories them and follow them as a daily habit may bring you top rating as an accurate thinker.
- Never accept the opinions of other people as being facts until you have learned the source of those opinions, and satisfied yourself of their accuracy.
- Remember that free advice, generally speaking, is the sort of advice that’s worth exactly what it costs.
- Know there is bias when you hear anyone speaking of others in a discourteous or slanderous spirit.
- In asking others for information, do not disclose to them what you wish the information to be, because most people have the bad habit of trying to please under such circumstances.
- Follow the habit of asking, ‘how do you know when anyone makes a statement you cannot identify as true.’ Follow this habit faithfully and you will see many persons squirm and turn red in the face when you insist upon a direct reply.
Now, one final remark I feel I should leave with you. I like to use these principals when others are looking to influence me in some way. I always ask what is this person trying to achieve? What is his/her motive? The source, where the information is coming from is also very important. We must learn to think as individuals and not be easily influenced by others without understanding why that person is trying to influence us and, more importantly, we should study ourselves, as we may discover that our own emotions and “facts” can be our greatest asset or our greatest handicap in the business of accurate thinking.
Take Care.
