Thinking time

How much thinking do you actually do?

By that I mean mental activity that has the result of action or a proper exploration of a topic, new idea or insight.

The brain is there to make and use patterns, as I explain in my book The Mechanism of Mind. Once there is acknowledgment of a situation, action can follow.

At times we must react to situations that seem completely new. Then we look to find out if there is any similarity to a situation that we know.

We also have problem-solving, where we also apply elements of known situations but in different combinations.

Only when we attempt to innovate do we feel the necessity to 'think' rather than rely on a routine approach.

It is rare that anyone gives thought to thinking. We don't give any thought to breathing or walking – it just happens naturally.

However, observing our thinking in action is very instructive and useful. We can then see our usual thinking habits and note our strengths and weaknesses.

Simply coping with things as they happen is not an effective way to improve one's thinking skills. There is too much pressure and the temptation to use tried and tested methods is too great.

Therefore I suggest a special forum for the development of thinking skills.

Here are the rules for Thinking Clubs:

1. A maximum of eight members per club.

2. Time and place for meetings to be fixed.

3. Meetings should be between 90 minutes and two hours or longer if agreed in advance.

4. Meetings to be themed in order to explore subjects properly, to make improvements or to solve problems.

5. Members are permitted to keep notes or someone can be delegated for the task.

6. Dedicated websites can be set up for clubs to suggest subjects for future meetings.

7. Clubs will be called The Edward de Bono Thinking Club and each club will receive a registration number.

8. A US $50 per annum registration fee will apply, although the fee will be waived for the first year for Letter to Thinking Managers subscribers.

9. Individual members of a Thinking Club are expected to start their own Thinking Club.

10. Activities, feedback and joint sessions will be arranged in due course.

Details on the clubs will be found on http://www.edwdebono.com

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