'Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making\r'

' slender opinion is the mental attend of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an dissolvent or conclusion (Dictionary. com, n. d. ). Critical thinking has two basic components: a set of information and picture generating and processing skills, and the habit of using those skills to guide behavior. some other aspects of exact thinking include weeing step to the fore parts and dilemmas, answer questions, and settling issues that are essential to ones comfortably-being and interests. Thinking happens in e very(prenominal) daub in every aspect of keep.â€Å"The best nouss use their top executive to think well in every prop of their lives” (Paul & Elder, 2006). Critical Thinking Steps Critical thinking is used in all dimensions of life whether in personal situations or relieve oneself relate situations. Most of the time in personal issues heap are more apt to make closes that pass on benefit them more in the end. In work related issues, people tend to make decisions that result benefit the majority of everyone involved. Critical thinking is life-sustaining in the decision-making process when coming up with bare-assed ideas and finding the different point of views.As a searing thinker, there are a few travel while thinking. First, is to raise important questions and issues. Second, is the assembly and military rating of significant information. Third, is coming up with well cerebration out answers, analyzing the answers with different outcomes and scenarios. Lastly, a critical thinker must keep an open mind and contribute the ability to consider all possible conclusions. If a problem arises, a critical thinker bequeath have the ability to communicate well with others to attract a better perspective on the situation at hand. ? Personal ExperienceIn a personal situation where I had to use critical thinking was in regards to my divorce. I had to think near how I would be affected by the decision as well as how my children would be affected by my decision. I had to weigh out the pros and cons of resting married versus getting a divorce. Weighing out the custody was a nonher decision I faced. I wanted what was best for my children, and these decisions were not easy. Discussing the options with my ex-husband and being subject to make these decisions conjointly made things easier for the both our children and us. Work Related ExperienceUsing critical thinking in work has proven beneficial. I worked for a company a few long time ago where I held a position in customer care over the telephone. This position presented me with the hazard to apply my critical thinking skills. When I commencement started with the company I was responsible for billing, but I decided to apply for a position in developing and maintaining the performance and payroll reporting for the manor hall locations. I had an office, independence to complete my tasks without supervision, and had a prepare shift †8 to 5 Monday through thorium and 7 to 4 on Friday.On the home front, I was able to put dinner on the hold over by 6 PM, did not bring work home, and was never on call. When the billing services ‘ indorser Management Systems Specialist’, position was posted, I was very interested, but I had to weigh the benefits of both positions. I developed a table with pros and cons in rescript to assist with the decision. Based on the results I outlined, I chose to apply for the new position. It meant giving up some personal time with my husband †salary of course, style 40+ hours a week, but the challenge and evolution opportunity outweighed the other factors.Had I not utilize critical thinking, I would have gone with my gut, which told me to stay in the lobby where I was comfortable. Being able to put emotions aside allowed me to think clearly about a very important decision in my life. Critical thinking is important in decision-making. rough people develop thinking in a â€Å"weak sense” whereas others develop thinking in a â€Å"strong sense”. â€Å"Critical thinkers essay to develop essential traits and characteristics of the mind” (Paul & Elder, 2006).I recall that critical thinkers do not allow emotions or bias to determine the outcome of the situation, but leave behind have strong facts to support their position. I retrieve we all must strive to think at a higher level, and recognize our biases and rise higher up them to become effective critical thinkers. ? References Critical Thinking. (n. d. ). Dictionary. coms twenty-first Century Lexicon. Retrieved December 13, 2009, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/critical thinking Paul, R. , & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: Tools for taking agitate of your learning and your life. Upper Saddle River, NJ: scholar Hall.\r\n'