Autumn: Hey everyone, welcome to the show! Today we're tackling something that could really shift your perspective on everything—work, relationships, even that first cup of coffee. We're talking about upgrading the way we think. So, a question for you: when did you last actually stop and think about how you're thinking? Rachel: You know, I'd honestly have to say never. Most of us are just running on autopilot, reacting instead of really reflecting. The whole idea of "thinking about thinking" just sounds... well, exhausting, doesn't it? Autumn: Precisely! And that's where How to Think More Effectively by The School of Life comes into play. The book makes the point that thinking isn’t just something that happens to us, it's actually a skill. And like any skill, we can improve it. It looks at different ways of thinking—strategy, empathy, skepticism—and offers practical techniques, from, yes, contemplating death to making unexpected connections, all designed to sharpen our minds and bring more clarity to our lives. Rachel: Contemplating death, huh? Okay, I can already tell this isn't your typical self-help fluff. So, what’s the plan of attack today? Autumn: We're zeroing in on three main ideas. First, strategic thinking—think of it as having a mental compass, to make sure your decisions are actually helping you reach your goals. Then we've got cumulative thinking, which is all about being patient, like nurturing a garden where ideas grow over time. And finally, butterfly thinking, a poetic name for how creativity really takes off in those unpredictable, fleeting moments when your mind wanders. Rachel: A mental compass, a garden, and a butterfly. Sounds like we’ve got nature's own instruction manual for rethinking how we think. Alright, Autumn, let's dive in and break it down.

Autumn: Absolutely. So, let’s dive right into the foundation: strategic thinking. It really sets the stage because it's about pausing to ask, "Why am I doing this?" It's the difference between just letting life happen to you and actually choosing where you want to go. Rachel: Okay, so zooming out to see the big picture instead of getting lost in the daily grind. That sounds great, but isn't it tough? Most of us are so busy "doing" that stopping to plan feels… well, impractical. Like slamming the brakes in the middle of a race. Autumn: I get that. That's where the book's analogy really connects. Think about building a house, right? You wouldn't just start building without a blueprint. Strategic thinking is that blueprint. It makes sure you're not just busy, but actually working towards something that matters. Rachel: Right. But, full disclosure here, I think a lot of us get hooked on the quick wins of execution. Checklists, deadlines, the dopamine rush of ticking off boxes... it feels productive. So why don't we naturally gravitate towards strategy? Is it just pure laziness? Autumn: It’s a great question, and the book actually addresses that. It’s not laziness, but more like… evolutionary hardwiring. Our ancestors needed to act fast—hunt, build shelter—long-term planning didn’t help when you were trying to avoid becoming someone's dinner. That instinct stuck with us. Add to that modern pressures, like education systems that reward task completion over deep thinking, and boom—you’re primed for execution over strategy. Rachel: So we're designed for quick fixes and short-term wins. That explains a lot. Okay, but if our brains are wired this way, how do we fight it? How do we override those instincts to slow down, plan, and actually prioritize? Autumn: The book suggests creating specific time and mental space for reflection—maybe up to 20% of your cognitive focus, if you can swing it. And don’t worry, it doesn't mean hours meditating. It could be journaling weekly, taking quiet moments during a walk, or talking with people who challenge your thinking. It's creating a "monastery for your mind." Rachel: A "monastery for your mind"? That's quite the image. Like turning your brain into a Jedi temple where you meditate on life's big questions? Autumn: Something like that! The point is to create a space—mental or physical—where you can minimize distractions and really think. It's investing in deliberation. And when you do that, you start seeing the gaps between what you're doing and what you actually want. Rachel: Can you give us a concrete example? This sounds great, but I just picture myself sitting in a quiet room, just obsessing over everything I didn't achieve that week. Autumn: Okay, picture a mid-career professional. They’ve checked all the boxes, right? Promotions, good salary, the corner office perhaps. But then one day, they realize they’re… not happy. They've been chasing someone else's success, or just ticking off societal checklists without asking, "Is this even my ladder to climb?" Rachel: Ah, the classic "wrong wall" scenario. You climb all the way up, just to find it's leaning against something you don't care about. Ouch. So, I guess strategic thinking is then how you step back and say, "Wait a minute—where is the right wall for me?" Autumn: Exactly. The book explains how to re-align by asking those deep "why" questions: Why am I pursuing this? Why does this matter to me? It helps you identify the disconnects. And when you figure it out, you can make meaningful changes instead of endlessly refining a system that’s fundamentally broken. Rachel: That sounds almost terrifying, though if you truly see how far off course you have strayed. No wonder people avoid it, it sounds like emotional heavy lifting. Autumn: It can be uncomfortable, sure, but isn’t that better than the regret of wasting time? Strategic thinking isn’t about judging your past. It’s about preventing future missteps. Once you develop the habit, it becomes second nature to pause and check, "Am I still on track?" Rachel: That’s a fair point. But let's address the book's cultural point—because asking "why" too much can come off as indecisive in some settings, especially hyper-productive workplaces. How do we normalize strategic reflection in our extremely fast-paced world? Autumn: It starts with a reframe. Instead of seeing planning as hesitation, we celebrate it as a strength. Organizations can foster this by rewarding thoughtful decisions, not just rewarding who worked the fastest. Personally, it’s about guarding your own reflection time—treating it as valuable time, and reinforcing that with others. Rachel: Sacred time, I like that idea. Whether it's journaling or turning your evening run into CEO strategy sessions, it’s about making space for that purposeful pause—and resisting society’s pressure to just charge ahead. But I'm curious… What's the downside if we don't do this? If we stick to execution without ever embracing strategy? Autumn: Well, the book calls it “misaligned achievements.” The accomplishments might look great on paper—quarterly sales, resume, even your highlight reel on social media—but underneath, it feels hollow. It's success without substance, progress without purpose. You wind up chasing a life of being busy rather than being fulfilled. Rachel: Ouch. That stings a little. But it’s true. It's a bit of a wake-up call. Strategic thinking isn’t this abstract concept; it's the difference between feeling grounded in your life versus constantly feeling like you’re running… but to what end? Autumn: Precisely. That's why this chapter is foundational. When we reconnect with the "why," everything else starts to align. Whether it’s work or relationships, strategic thinking is the compass—without it, we’re just wandering around hoping for the best.

Autumn: Okay, so building on strategic thinking, let’s talk about patience. I mean, how important it is to let our thought processes gradually develop. I'm talking about cumulative thinking—how ideas grow over time, you know? It's not just about having a clear direction; it's about committing to the often slow and messy process of really refining and nurturing your thoughts. Rachel: Ah, so patience is key here, huh? “Thought patience” isn’t something I’m exactly known for. My brain likes to fast-forward—idea pops up, I instantly run with it or ditch it, and then I'm onto the next shiny thing. Autumn: I get that, but honestly, that approach can miss the hidden potential in most ideas. Cumulative thinking is really about realizing that our thoughts don’t just magically appear fully formed, like a light bulb suddenly going off. They evolve, you know? Think of planting a seed—you don't expect a giant oak tree the next day. Ideas need time, care, and sometimes a ton of rework before they become something truly meaningful. Rachel: And when you say “care,” are we talking about obsessively overthinking until I’ve rewritten something like, twenty times, and still hate it? Asking for a friend, of course. Autumn: Actually, you're closer to the truth than you think! Iteration—revisiting, revising, reshaping—is exactly how breakthrough ideas happen. It's not always glamorous, and definitely not fast. Take Rachelel Proust, for example. In Search of Lost Time is seen as this stroke of genius, but it was born from endless revisions. His drafts? More like battlefields after all the edits. Rachel: Wait, Proust, endless revisions? You’re saying the guy behind one of the biggest literary achievements, was once scribbling, crossing things out, and muttering, “Nope, not good enough?” That's... strangely comforting, actually. Autumn: Exactly! Proof that brilliance rarely strikes on the first—or even tenth—try. Proust's sentences, known for their complexity and insight, were built through a willingness to keep revisiting his work. Cumulative thinking thrives on that persistence. Embracing messy first drafts is key to eventually getting it “right”. Rachel: Okay, so don’t rush the brilliance. Got it. But how does cumulative thinking fit into our daily lives, without, you know, totally killing our productivity? I mean, we’re not all writing novels here. Autumn: Good point. That's where tools and deliberate practices come into play. The book suggests something simple: keep a notebook for your ideas. Think of it like a greenhouse for seedlings—some will grow, some won’t, but by writing everything down, you give your thoughts a chance to develop. Rachel: A notebook, huh? So, “Figure out how to retire on a tropical island” is a good seed, or does it need, something more substantial? Autumn: Every idea counts! The great thing about note-keeping is that even small, trivial thoughts can connect in surprising ways. Say you write, "Why do I feel restless at work?" Then, a month later, you note, "I'm most engaged when problem-solving." Revisiting those notes could lead you to a realization about your true passion—and then, you can shape goals to match. Rachel: So, it’s less about hoping for lightning in a bottle and more about putting lightning rods everywhere, hoping one gets struck eventually, right? Autumn: Exactly! Writing itself is a powerful tool. When you write, you slow down and articulate your thoughts clearly. Putting thoughts into words often clarifies things you didn’t even realize were fuzzy. Rachel: Hmm, so my habit of rambling through brainstorms doesn’t quite cut it, then? Autumn: Rambling has its place! But writing allows you to revisit, hone, and refine. The book even compares it to a puzzle—each piece might not seem useful at first, but as you connect them, the bigger picture emerges. Think of it as self-editing your own thinking! Rachel: I’ll admit, seeing thoughts later with a fresh perspective sounds good. But what affects this thinking? Are we just stuck with our environments—or our moods? Autumn: That’s a huge factor! Environment is critical. Cumulative thinking thrives where there are minimal distractions and focus is encouraged. A messy space stifles it, while a calm setting—soft lighting, plants, comfy chair—gives your mind room to breathe. Rachel: So, step one: declutter my desk war zone. Got it. But what about those days when you’re just… stuck? Staring at an email or proposal, and plants aren't going to save you from the creative block here. Autumn: That’s where emotional states come in. The book stresses self-compassion. Frustrated and ready to give up on an idea? Remind yourself that slow progress is still progress. Even dry spells have a purpose; they’re part of the natural rhythm of thought development. And sometimes, stepping away and revisiting later reveals insights you couldn’t see before. Rachel: So patience is key here, then? I mean, I get it, but isn't it tempting to just finish it up and move on, especially when deadlines won’t wait for “cumulative thinking”? Autumn: It is tempting, but then you risk settling for surface-level results rather than deeper insights. Cumulative thinking is like sculpting—you start with a rough block and patiently chip away, bit by bit, until the form appears. It’s not quick, but it's the only way to create something truly meaningful. Rachel: I like that—sculpture. I’m guessing we treat our ideas more like microwave meals: quick and easy, even if they aren’t gourmet. Autumn: Great analogy! But cumulative thinking shows us it’s worth the time to create something substantial. Remember, even messy drafts can evolve into something brilliant with enough patience and revision. It’s about trusting the process and knowing that every small step counts. Rachel: So, whether it’s notebooks, quiet spaces, or just being okay with the mess, the message is clear: stop rushing your thoughts and let them grow naturally. It might take longer, but the results will be way more satisfying.

Autumn: Having established strategic and cumulative thinking, let’s dive into capturing those fleeting, yet profound ideas. This brings us to something both beautiful and practical: “butterfly thinking”. Rachel: Butterfly thinking, huh? Sounds whimsical. I bet it has little to do with actual butterflies and everything to do with those random flashes of insight—you know, the kind that flit away the moment you try to grasp them. Autumn: Exactly! It’s about how some of our best ideas surface not through forced effort, but when our minds are relaxed and wandering freely. We're talking about practical ways to cultivate creativity in daily life by creating habits and environments that allow these ideas to emerge naturally. Rachel: So, instead of chasing the butterfly and scaring it off, we create a garden it wants to visit. Okay, how does this actually work? Autumn: The book talks about reflection-friendly environments—spaces where distractions are minimal, activities are simple, and your mind can roam. Take something as simple as a shower. Rachel: Ah, the classic “shower thought.” Look, I'm not knocking it, but is there actual science to back this up? Or is it just an excuse to linger in the hot water hoping for a breakthrough? Autumn: There's definitely science! Psychologist Alice Flaherty introduced the "default mode network," or DMN. It activates when we're not consciously focused. Think of it as your brain's background operating system. When you're in the shower, the sensory relaxation combined with the repetitive motions of washing creates the perfect mental environment for the DMN to work its magic. Rachel: So, you're saying the next time someone’s taking a long shower, they’re not wasting resources, they're innovating. I can see people selling that one to their roommates. Autumn: Absolutely! And it’s not just showers—other simple, repetitive tasks can work too. Gardening, washing dishes, doing laundry… these activities engage you just enough to keep you from being bored, while also leaving plenty of room for your subconscious to wander. Rachel: Come to think of it, some of my clearest thoughts pop up when I'm walking. It’s like my brain goes on autopilot, and suddenly, I can see solutions I couldn’t find when I was glued to my desk. Autumn: Walking is a great example. The book mentions Nietzsche, who had his most profound ideas while walking in nature. Physical activity, particularly walking, increases blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, which enhances both mood and cognitive function. So, his philosophical breakthroughs weren't just a fluke, they were the result of creating the right mental state through movement. Rachel: Makes sense. I guess that’s why treadmill desks became a thing. Though personally, I’d rather walk outside and breathe fresh air than try to conjure up profound thoughts while dodging the water cooler on a treadmill. But what if you need intense focus to generate ideas? Can butterfly thinking help when you are facing deadline-driven, high-pressure creative situation? Autumn: Actually, those high-pressure situations are often the worst for creativity. Butterfly thinking is about balancing distraction with focus. Virginia Woolf wrote beautifully about this in describing her writing process. She believed great ideas came during what she called “moments of being”—those unexpected, fleeting moments of insight that don't come from sheer force, but from being attuned to your surroundings in a quiet, open way. Rachel: "Moments of being," huh? I like that. So instead of frantically brainstorming under harsh lights, you're better off stepping outside, maybe staring at clouds for a bit, and letting the ideas come to you. But how do you capture those moments before they disappear? I mean, aren't they notoriously slippery? Autumn: Exactly. That's why the book emphasizes preparation. Carry a pocket notebook—or use a dictation app if you prefer—so you can always capture a spark of inspiration. You might feel silly jotting down fragments of ideas, but those fragments often connect in surprising ways later. Rachel: Okay, so all those people walking around with notebooks aren’t just trying to look mysterious, they’re actually catching butterflies. But can we talk about the mood aspect for a second? Because when I'm stressed, my brain is not exactly a creative playground. Autumn: That’s such an important point. Emotional states play a huge role. Stress and negativity constrict your thoughts, while calm and contentment open your mind. It’s why forced creativity—corporate brainstorming sessions, for example—often fall flat. People feel pressure to produce results, which stifles the natural flow. Rachel: So instead of butterflies, you end up with… caterpillars? I might be stretching this analogy. But I agree. "Be creative NOW" environments can feel suffocating. So, how do you create emotional spaces that foster creativity? Autumn: Start by making time for what the book calls “quiet mental grazing”—moments where there are no immediate demands, and you're free to reflect without judgment or a specific goal. That could be a relaxed evening walk or just drinking your morning coffee and letting your thoughts drift. The key is to protect that time from distractions and external pressures. Rachel: So, letting our thoughts roam freely in an open meadow—and trusting they’ll bring something back. Practical, low-key, and surprisingly profound. This butterfly-thinking thing is starting to feel less like chasing random ideas and more like building a system to capture brilliance without breaking a sweat. Autumn: That’s precisely it. The beauty of butterfly thinking is that it encourages you to do less, not more. Simplify, let go, and embrace moments of ease. Often, the best insights come when we’re not trying too hard to find them.

Autumn: So, Rachel, today we dove into three really powerful concepts from “How to Think More Effectively”. First, strategic thinking which is all about focusing on the why behind what we do. It's about having a clear direction instead of just spinning our wheels. Then there’s cumulative thinking, which is a great reminder to be patient, to let ideas breathe and evolve naturally. And finally, butterfly thinking – that’s all about reflecting and creating the right environment to actually capture those fleeting sparks of creativity. Rachel: Exactly. You know, what really strikes me is that these ideas aren't about making things more complicated. It's more about simplifying. Slow down, reflect, refine, and trust your mind to do its thing when it's not bombarded with distractions. Seriously, these ways of thinking aren’t just abstract concepts—they're like lifelines in a world that’s constantly pulling us every which way. Autumn: Precisely! And here’s something for our listeners to think about: what if you carved out just a little bit of time this week to think more intentionally? I mean, maybe it’s just ten minutes for some strategic reflection, revisit an old idea that you had, or even just take a quiet walk to clear your head and let your mind wander. Start small, and see how even a tiny shift in how you approach thinking can ripple into some meaningful results. Rachel: There you have it. Thinking more effectively isn't just about being smarter or more creative, or something like that. It’s “really” about giving yourself the space to align your thoughts with what actually matters to you. So, go on, everyone—find your mental compass, plant some seeds, and start building that butterfly garden. Until next time! Autumn: Thanks for listening, everyone! Now, go think better!