Chapter 37 Clear Thinking, Judgement and Priorities.
We have seen the general plan and specific strategies, and we must now put things in the right order and set priorities. Priorities are vital, because living our lives is like baking a very sophisticated piece of cake. We have to put in the right amount of each ingredient, and do things in the right sequence; otherwise we will end up with a bad cake or a big mess. Before we determine priorities, we must first develop accurate thinking and judgement. In other words, we must see everything clearly and objectively, unclouded by immediate sentiments. In making that „cake of life, we must clearly identify the ingredients and their quality, and notice the fresh flour and good raisins!
Thinking is often a process of matching your knowledge and experience with a new situation to get satisfactory opinions or solutions; whereas judgement is a viewpoint and evaluation of any situation or thing. Accurate thinking and judgement come from a good grasp of knowledge, everything and everyone around you. This knowledgeable stance also spawns insight and wisdom. Wisdom is intelligence, facts and expertise in graceful action. It pays therefore, to read, probe, analyse, think, travel, observe, and converse extensively.
As you grow, you can spot instances of poor thinking and judgement. You can tell from peoples weird hairdos, silly clothes, crazy car and house decorations, and messy lifestyle! I may condone these behaviours among magicians and show-business people, but elsewhere, it is a no-no. I can easily tell good or bad thinking and judgement from the work, reports, diagrams and presentations done by workers! Everything speaks loud and clear. I need not elaborate here, except to remind you that good tastes, colours, designs, appropriateness, considerations, convenience, psychology, etc, all have an impact on the recipients. Imagine an unkempt McDonalds waitress; a shabby bank- manager scribbling cartoons; a drunk and dribbling airline-pilot and a nurseryteacher brandishing a whip!
Good thinking and judgement should also concur with our powers of reason and ethics, and we should not believe and accept everything blindly without regard for truth and worth. A good thinker and valuer considers the source, truth, purpose and quality of any information. He balances evidence and opinions carefully, then decides and responds accordingly. Rash decisions and impulsive acts may create problems and failures, so please be clear, calm and cautious always.
The Bible states in Corinthians 1, 14:40, „Let all things be done decently and in order. The setting of priorities is part of organising and living successfully. It is the clever choice of things that deserve more emphasis, and things that are better done now than later. Goethe once said: „Things which are more important must never be at the mercy of things which are less important. Henry D. Thoreau warned of poor priority when he commented, „For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root. The best way therefore, to prioritised your strategies and schedules is to list them in clear sections of urgency and importance, as shown below. I filled in examples here for you. Note that some things are very important but less urgent:
Mth: 9/98 Greatest Importance. Medium Importance. Least Importance
Greatest
Urgency School & exam Music exam this mth Swimming test
Medium
Urgency Reading & learning Gymnastics Main hobbies
Least
Urgency Self-improvement Tennis & games Minor hobbies
The above is a short-term table, and you should have a yearly one too. This is compulsory for everyone. If you merely prioritise haphazardly in your mind, the myriad daily distractions assault your brain and you are bound to neglect this or that! When you can see and think clearly, and set priorities, your monthly and yearly operations are well-organised. Then, coupled with all your assets and qualities, you will find that making decision and taking action is a breeze and a piece of cake!
"When everything has its proper place in our minds, we are able to stand in equilibrium with the rest of the world." - Frederic Amiel.