Here is a simple audit for you to rate your own brainpower.
It was designed by Dr Eric Bienstock who is Vice-Principal
of SOT in New York. Eric based this checklist on the SOT’s
‘Learn-To-Think Coursebook and Instructors Manual‘ (Capra/New 1982).
How do you rate your own brainpower?
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer each of the following questions, scoring
either 3, 2, 1, or 0 points for each answer depending on your
objective estimate of how often you actually do what is stated.
Use your best guess of the following criteria for scoring:
3 – 90% OF THE TIME (nearly always)
2 – 70% OF THE TIME (mostly)
1 – 40% OF THE TIME (often)
0 – 10% OF THE TIME (hardly ever)
SCORE
______ My judgements of ideas are based on the value of the idea rather
than on my emotions at the time.
_______ I judge ideas not just as “good” or “bad” but also as “interesting”
if they can lead on to better ideas.
_______ I consider all factors in a situation before choosing, deciding or planning.
_______ I consider all factors first, before picking out the ones that matter most.
_______ When I create a rule I see to it that it is clearly understood
and possible to obey.
_______ I try to see the purpose of rules I have to obey, even if I don’t like the rules.
_______ I look at consequences of my decisions or actions not only as they affect me
but also as they affect other people.
_______ I look at a wide range of possible consequences before deciding
which consequences to bother about.
_______ On the way to a final objective I establish a chain of smaller objectives
each one following on from the previous one.
_______ The objectives I set are near enough, real enough and possible
enough for me to really try to reach them.
_______ In planning, I know exactly what I want to achieve.
_______ I keep my plans as simple and direct as possible.
_______ I know exactly why I have chosen something as a priority.
_______ I try to get as many different ideas as possible first,
before starting to pick out the priorities.
_______ I will go on looking for alternatives until I find one I really like.
_______ While most people look for alternatives when they are not satisfied;
I look for them deliberately even when I am satisfied.
_______ I am able to tell myself the real reason behind a decision I make.
_______ Before making a decision, I consider the factors, look at the consequences,
get clear about the objectives, assess the priorities, and search for possible alternatives.
_______ I am able to see the other person’s point-of-view whether I agree with it or not.
_______ I am able to spell out the differences and similarities between different viewpoints.
_______ TOTAL SCORE.
INTERPRETATION
This is NOT a scientific test. It’s just an audit or checklist to help you
take stock of your thinking, that’s all! A trained thinker can direct his
or her thinking and use it in a deliberate manner to produce an effect.
To a trained and skilled thinker, thinking is a tool that can be used at will
and the use of this tool is practical. This ability to use ‘thinking as a skill’
is the sort of thinking ability that is required to get things DONE.
* If your total score in this test was between 51 and 60 points,
you already possess superior brainpower.
* If you scored between 31 and 50 points, you have better than average brainpower.
* If you scored between 0 and 30, you possess no additional brainpower
other than the natural thinking ability that most people have.
___________ Record your score.