This is the last but one in the series on the Effective Thinking Test.
This time we are discussing your answers to questions 15-21.
If you have not already taken the test then please take it here before reading this article.
Questions:
15. I dislike taking risks.
Ineffective Thinking: True
Effective Thinking: False
Headmind is typically lazy and prefers to remain in an imaginary comfort zone instead of trying something new. This tunnel-vision policy means that nothing new is ever learned and the available emotional rewards become fewer and fewer.
16. The best thing to do with worries is ignore them.
Ineffective Thinking: False
Effective Thinking: True
See my article on Worry for the reasons why the right answer is 'True'.
17. It's not selfish to focus on my own wellbeing.
Ineffective Thinking: False
Effective Thinking: True
Note that the question doesn't ask you whether it's selfish to focus on your own wellbeing at the expense of other people. Just whether you should focus on your own.
The point here is that if you don't focus on your own wellbeing from time to time then your intellectual, emotional and physical health is going to be weak. This makes it less likely that you will be able to look after others. Failure to see this obvious reasoning is one sign that your Headmind is full of bananas.
18. Most mental health problems need professional treatment.
Ineffective Thinking: True
Effective Thinking: False
Ineffective thinking assumes that other people know more about your problems - and their 'cure' - than you do yourself. Effective Thinkers tend to be suspicious of gurus - quacks, spiritualists, and psychologists - and prefer to find independent solutions. When they do consult a therapist it tends to be for advice, self-healing and problem-solving rather than 'cure'.
19. Only weak people ask for advice from others
Ineffective Thinking: True
Effective Thinking: False
Some forms of Headmind delusion equate 'strength' with 'do everything myself'. Effective Thinkers are more goal-focused. They do whatever it takes to achieve their aims. They do not go along with the ego-driven idea that they need to look like superwomen.
20. We should always try to better ourselves.
Ineffective Thinking: True
Effective Thinking: False
This is a bit of trick question for regular readers of this blog. Some of you might have got the idea that I am trying to help people 'improve' themselves.
Far from it. I would like it more if people gave up trying to 'better' themselves (which is really a social game) and instead focused on becoming more like who they truly are.
That way you will let your personal genius out.
21. I never panic
Ineffective Thinking: True
Effective Thinking: False
Panic is a pathological state created by Headmind when it worries or indulges in disaster movies.
Effective thinkers see through this tendency and either switch off from panicky thinking or divert it towards something more useful.
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