Frasch Ideas—Examine, Inquire, Explore

An article in Lifehacker brought this to my attention:

Do you think for yourself?

Allen, a personal development blogger from Ireland, has written up ten different ways you can develop independent thinking, and my favorite tip was this one:

If in doubt - ask a question. Don’t be afraid to question things. Don’t be afraid to offer a question even though other people in your peer group have not questioned before.

In other words, don’t be scared to look stupid - you might just surprise yourself (and others) with the smart stuff you can come up with if you’d only give yourself a chance.- Wendy Boswell

I agree with Wendy Boswell, I like that tip, too. I looked at the rest of Allen’s tips.

I also like #10:

Be Brave.
It takes courage to stand up and say “I don’t agree with you.” Be kind to yourself, be patient and don’t give up. If you want to learn how to think more independently -it does take time.

One of my values I live by is Courage:

“I live with courage. It takes great courage to stand up for your own values and live your life in harmony with them, rather than live according to the values of others.

I am courageous enough to do what I want, what I think is right; I am courageous enough to take responsibility for myself and my actions. I own up to things that are my responsibility, both mistakes and fortunes.

I am courageous enough to be honest–first with myself and then with others, to speak out how I feel and what I believe.

In being courageous I am filled with self-respect. I have the inner-connectedness that comes from knowing and doing the right things.”

What are some values you live by?