How Do You Think?

How we perceive situations and events affects our decisions and choices much more than the actual event. Digesting the data is a learned skill that you can adapt and use to maximize your success in dealing with life and work.

When faced with a situation, do you use your intuition, or do you tend to engage in a more profound thinking process before deciding?

No one falls into only one category, i.e., intuitive or analytical. However, everyone is capable of thinking intuitively or analytically, depending on the situation. It’s just that you may find it more comfortable to feel intuitively or analytically, and that is a choice.

Understanding where you fit on the thinking continuum can help you make conscious efforts to integrate the type of think process you use least in your decision-making.

Recognizing your biases will also help make the thinking process clearer and create a solid foundation for relationships, processes, and trust-building.

Intuitive Vs. Analytical: Is there a difference

Generally, Intuitive thinkers use their feelings more when dealing with a situation. They will sort through problems based on their experiences and quickly decide based on what may feel right to them at the time. They may consider possible alternative outcomes, but they rely primarily on their gut feelings.

The great thing about being intuitive is that you efficiently use time and resources, and you can tackle complex matters easily, although sometimes you miss a lot of the details that may matter down the line. However, you tend to be subjective. You must also have extensive experience to believe your intuition to be more dependable.

Analytical thinkers, on the other hand, are more data-driven and detail-curious. They usually have developed a personalized formula they follow when finding a solution. They tend to analyze things thoroughly, weighing the pros and cons, looking at different angles, and digging into details before making what they consider a logical decision.

Analytical thinkers are objective. However, their structured approach can be complex and resource-intensive. They may often procrastinate and take time to decide, and wind up with analysis paralysis in some situations.

Being self-aware lets you know if you tend to be an intuitive thinker rather than analytical and vice versa? Let’s get into specific characteristics.

Here are Some Signs You May Be an Intuitive Thinker

· Intuitive thinkers are usually sensitive to other people’s feelings.

They consider the emotions of people around them and process everything in a much more profound manner. It makes them considerate and empathic. However, it can also make one feel withdrawn, especially when other people’s feelings overwhelm you.

· Intuitive thinkers are good at interpreting people and situations.

They can size up people pretty well based on their nonverbal cues and body language. They are observant, and they can see imperfections in others. People resonate with them, but they also recognize the red flags.

· Intuitive thinkers often feel a special connection with nature.

They feel like they perceive messages from the universe and all things others can’t see. They closely observe their surroundings and appreciate a special bond with nature. They often recognize patterns that others don’t see and believe in coincidences and fateful encounters.

· Intuitive thinkers usually have self-awareness.

They are aware of their feelings and recognize that their intuition may not always be correct. Yet, they try to think about what their feelings are trying to tell them.

· Intuitive thinkers always think ahead.

They are generally optimistic. They are proactive and can foresee potential problems, but they can process anything negative and rise above it. They trust that a good outcome can happen even when things look bad at the moment.

Here are Some Signs You’re an Analytical Thinker

· Analytical thinkers always have lots of questions.

They always have plenty of questions in mind and interrogate the problems first before they develop a solution. They break down the details. They are often skeptical and curious. They are intellectually open but can be a bit of a perfectionist.

· Analytical thinkers value the evidence.

They gather available data and use it to make informed decisions. They focus on facts often open to new perspectives as long as they’re supported with evidence. The primary issue with being analytical here is not letting confirmational biases interfere with the assessment of the evidence.

· Analytical thinkers, test your own and other people’s hypotheses.

They always have a healthy dose of skepticism, which forces them to actively and relentlessly test their hypotheses and other people’s views.

· Analytical thinkers see challenges as opportunities.

They enjoy being challenged so that they can engage in a constructive debate. They know that getting out of their comfort zone and considering other people’s views can lead to innovation.

· Analytical thinkers are generally methodical.

They are pretty logical and methodical. They will follow a step-by-step way to arrive at a logical conclusion. Their approach makes it easier for them to dig into details and break down complex problems into manageable bits.

The Key is Finding the Balance

It is necessary to have both characteristics to help make better decisions and resolutions in today’s world; as mentioned before, it is a continuum with being intuitive on one side and analytical on the other side.

People should always strive to balance these two poles because being imbalanced opens one to a lot of turmoil and inconsistencies at work and home. Everyone needs both characteristics to make better decisions at work and home.

With Self-Awareness, one can understand how to mold a blended mental state with the balance between intuition and analytics. Knowing where your biases lie and how they impact your thinking will help one consciously reach a balance point.

Finding a balance between intuition and analysis will result in a better approach to dealing with different situations, problems, and explorations, resulting in better solutions for everyone involved.