Why We Should Consider Changing The Way We Think

Most of us are familiar with “analytical thinking”. It is how the brain thinks most of the time, as it is in our genes given the education style we have been born into.

In today’s ever-changing world, to be an analytical thinker means “more-of-the-same-at-different-times”. Only time changes, not “how we think”. It’s being reactive to circumstances and events. Whether we call that firefighting, prioritizing or simply dealing with our daily issues in family, work and play, it is a one-dimensional fashion of thinking.

But, in this article I am addressing “strategic thinking” or better yet, “systems thinking”. After all, that’s the way our world turns: systems. Everything is a system. From our solar system to our digestive system, from our water filtration to our government, these are all systems. It’s the natural way the world operates. There is an ‘input’ and an ‘output’, thus creating the ‘throughput’. Simple, right? Of course!

A system is made up of a set of components that work together for the overall objective of the whole (output).

Only we don’t quite see it that way, as we choose to concentrate at issues one at a time, and those at hand. The greater ‘whole’ of our own personal system in the way we think is not taken into account. Unless there is a conscious effort in rising above it all to see the big picture, we cannot think differently, thus causing us to fail at various steps of our lives.
How does one think “strategically” (or systematically) to perform the holistic view?
Systems Thinking is not a new fad. It has been explored and much talked about is you go ahead a research the topic. Actually, it has been an item of research for close to 75 years now. It all starts with the end in mind, or otherwise called “backward-thinking”!
It’s like reading from right to left: definitely not a natural habit!
Let me explain a simple way of understanding the method of thinking, using the alphabet to identify the different phases:

Phases A, B, C, D and periodically E (notice how you read from left to right at first, follow the arrows and the steps below the diagram:

As you start thinking about your output, (Phase A), otherwise called your desired outcomes, end in mind or overall objective, it is often defined as a Vision and Mission Statement with its core values.

As the end in mind is more and more defined, its goals for achievements are to be tracked by success measurements (Phase B). This prevents us from falling back to becoming reactive as we map out our plan to that desired outcome. At this phase, you develop the key indicators that will tell you ‘how’ well you are achieving your objectives as it relates to your overall goal defined in Phase A.

Phase E, or Environmental Scanning, is a periodic review of what changes around us. For instance, factors such as competition, market-share, politics, economy and weather-related issues are all probable or possible boundaries that will affect our future state. It requires attention on a regular basis. This is strategic-know-how at its very core!

The thinking process becomes more analytical as it moves into Phase C: the current state. This actual state or position we are in, is examined for its strengths and weaknesses (SWOT) so as to identify the areas that require improvement to allow us to move on to Phase D, the through put. Phase C is critical as it develops core strategies for achieving the end in mind. Remember strategies are actual “actions”.

As strategies (how-to) are implemented, priority actions are placed and all this movement happens at Phase D. It’s also called ‘closing the gap’ as you apply the strategic thinking process and check regularly with “B” and “E” to ensure all is moving towards the end in mind.

That’s Strategic Thinking or “Systems Thinking”!

Start using Systems Thinking in your life decisions and at work and not only feel the change, but obtain the RESULTS! And, warning to those who will use it, it’s highly addictive!