Sharpen Your Critical Thinking Skills for 2026: Part 2
Not only does thinking critically help you be more effective in your business, so can thinking critically about effectiveness.
In another potential universe, we’re not slaves to the dollar. We don’t punish ourselves for not making enough money, and we don’t valorize people who have made a lot of money unless they’ve done something worthwhile.
We don’t worry about going bankrupt if we or our kids get sick, because that’s not a thing. We don’t have to work at jobs we hate to have healthcare. (By the way, every other developed nation on the planet has figured out healthcare like this. The US is the only one that has this problem.)
Doesn’t that sound like a good timeline? Better than ours. I’m not convinced that there is a multiverse, because there’s just not enough evidence. But it works as a thought experiment anyway.
In our timeline, many people make money because that’s just what you’re supposed to do. But money is a tool that can help you lead a fulfilling life… as long as you have a purpose other than making a profit.
Thinking critically about productivity helps you be more effective
Because we live in late stage capitalism, the “solution” to our ills is to buy stuff. Buy food, drugs, alcohol or whatever to numb yourself from the onslaught of data and information (but crucially, not knowledge) or go shopping or gambling.
If you work so much that you don’t have time for things you enjoy, the “solution” is to purchase items that will supposedly boost your well-being. CBD oils, bath bubbles, candles, soda with supposed neurological benefits, etc.
As a business owner, your biggest asset is your brain
So when you set aside the propaganda, the ads, and the marketing, you can see that you need to take care of your biggest asset. And what does the care consist of?
Enough sleep
Enough rest between bouts of work/focus (scrolling/reading emails is not rest for your brain)
Physical movement
Fun activities (playing musical instruments, woodworking, needlecrafting, playing adult league soccer, etc.)
Time with loved ones/friends (“social” media doesn’t count)
Although you can purchase products to make some of these easier, note that they’re not necessary for taking care of your brain.
When you look at your business with a critical eye, you might see systems that aren’t working quite right, a mismatch between person and title, or whatever. These can be corrected, and may or may not require a purchased solution.
Consuming more “business” stuff doesn’t help either: another planner, another so-called productivity app, another time counter, still doesn't get you where you want to go.
Recap (tl;dr):
Although consumerism is rampant, you don’t necessarily need products to boost your well-being.
However, if you can’t figure out how to get all that brain care on a regular basis in addition to running your business, I can help you and there may be no products necessary! Book your exploratory consultation call here.
Photo by Stefano Bucciarelli on Unsplash.