Cognitive Skills

Cognitive thinking encompasses the broader range of mental processes involved in thinking and understanding. Cognition is thinking.

Cognitive skills help you learn new information, recall and connect previous information and are essential for problem-solving in the workplace. Cognitive abilities are the ways that your brain remembers, reasons, holds attention, solves problems, thinks, reads and learns.

A few learning paths suggested here cover:

Basic Maths Skills
Critical Thinking
Design Thinking

Basic Maths Skills

Knowledge and frequent practice of Basic Arithmetic, Mensuration, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra, Statistics & Probability skills can really help you improve your cognitive skills. Books like What’s the Point of Maths? or this can help an adult learner get a quick perspective on the Maths Landscape.

NCERT published Math Magic books from Class 1 to Class 5 (available for download at https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php can be an excellent refresher if you have struggled with Maths in school. Continue to exploring till Class 7 or even Class 8 NCERT textbooks if you can. You can also use Khan Academy to make sure you filled up all gaps in your learnings on these subject areas!

Unfortunately the school curriculum often fails to convey the incredible power and great beauty of mathematics. In fact, the process of studying mathematics is often much more important than the actual content: it teaches problem solving, logical reasoning, generalising and abstraction. Some works that are a step in this direction worth checking are:

Mathigon – interactive textbook and virtual personal tutor
Desmos – Interactive Graphing Calculator – Signup as Teacher!

Another good habit/hobby is solving puzzles/challenges. Try these:

Solve problems at OpenMiddle
Solve puzles at NRICH
EEDI is a great place to review your skills – Signup as Teacher!
Solve tasks at https://www.youcubed.org/tasks/
Slightly different but try drawing these

If you enjoy the subject, do read books like Joy of X, Infinite Powers, Euclid’s Window, Longitude, The Code Book, Fermat’s Last Theorem, The Art of Statistics, Hello World and Weapons of Math Destruction.

Brush-up your Science

You first want to make a list of questions looking around you. How electricity works? How seeds grow to trees? How rain happens? How refrigerators work? How bike engines work? And then start exploring by posting your questions, one at a time, on search engines, YouTube, and sites like below.

https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/
https://www.howstuffworks.com/
https://news.uchicago.edu/explainers
https://microscopya.com/

Critical Thinking

To begin learning about critical thinking, it’s important to start with the foundational concepts.

First, familiarise yourself with the definition and importance of critical thinking. Understanding what critical thinking is and why it matters will provide a solid framework for further exploration.

Next, delve into the elements of critical thinking, such as analysis, interpretation, inference, explanation, evaluation, and self-regulation. These elements form the building blocks of critical thinking and are essential to grasp before moving forward.

Once you have a good grasp of the elements, it’s time to explore the intellectual standards of critical thinking. These standards, including clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness, provide guidelines for effective critical thinking.

After understanding the intellectual standards, it’s important to learn about logical fallacies. Recognising common fallacies in reasoning will help you avoid them in your own thinking and identify them in the arguments of others.

Moving on, explore the process of problem-solving and decision-making within the context of critical thinking. Understanding how critical thinking applies to real-world situations and decision-making processes is crucial for practical application.

Next, familiarize yourself with the concept of cognitive biases. Recognizing and understanding these biases will help you approach problems and information with a more critical and discerning mindset.

Finally, explore the role of critical thinking in effective communication. Understanding how critical thinking enhances communication skills will further solidify your understanding of its practical applications.

By following this learning path, you will build a strong foundation in critical thinking, from its fundamental elements to its practical applications in decision-making and communication.

Check https://untools.co/ – a collection of thinking tools and frameworks to help you solve problems, make decisions and understand systems.

Resources – Books

Try these books:
1. Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel K
2. Black Box Thinking – Mathew S
3. The Art of Thinking Clearly – Rolf D
4. Factfulness – Hans R
5. Critical Thinking – Tom C
6. Art of Skepticism in a Data Driven World – Carl B and Jevin W

Resources – Courses and Guided Projects

Resources – Online Sites/Articles and Games

Professions as Thinking Toolkits
33 Problems with Media
50 Ideas to Ponder On
Critical Thinking – Resources
Agile Thinking
Daniel Kahneman’s 7 Theories
Laws to check out when building, changing
Capital Allocation Mechanisms

Do some LSAT practice tests: https://app.lawhub.org/

Mobile games like Luminosity and Elevate can also help. Search Google or Apple Stores for “Logic Games”, “Logic Puzzles” for more.

Design Thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that focuses on understanding the needs of users, challenging assumptions, and creating innovative solutions. It involves a human-centered approach that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and collaboration. The process typically consists of five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Design thinking encourages a creative and iterative mindset, where failures are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement.

To begin learning about design thinking, it’s important to start with understanding the fundamental principles of the process. Begin by grasping the concept of empathy, as it forms the foundation of design thinking. Empathy involves understanding and empathizing with the needs and experiences of others, which is crucial in the design process.

Next, delve into defining the problem. This involves identifying and clearly defining the issue or challenge that needs to be addressed through the design process.

Once the problem is defined, move on to ideation, which involves generating a wide range of creative ideas to solve the defined problem.

After ideation, focus on prototyping, which is the process of creating a preliminary model or version of the design solution. Prototyping allows for testing and refining the design before final implementation.

Following prototyping, explore the concept of iteration. Iteration involves refining and improving the design through a series of cycles or repetitions. This process allows for continuous improvement based on feedback and testing.

Once you have a good grasp of iteration, move on to the concept of user testing. User testing involves gathering feedback and insights from potential users to further refine and validate the design solution.

After understanding user testing, explore the concept of collaboration. Collaboration is essential in design thinking as it involves working with multidisciplinary teams to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise in the design process.

Finally, focus on storytelling. Storytelling is a powerful tool in design thinking as it helps communicate the design solution and its impact effectively.

By following this learning path, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of design thinking and its core concepts.

altLearners Resources

Design
What is a Story?
Story Telling
Design Thinking

Resources – Courses and Guided Projects

Additional Resources

Learning How to Learn
Time Management
How to Take Smart Notes
Growth Mindset
Read Fiction Books and Learn
Watch good Documentaries
Do courses at Perenniallearner.com
Use https://www.harkenapp.com to make flash cards

Books

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Have you ever experienced that state of complete absorption and satisfaction when you’re fully immersed in an activity? Csikszentmihalyi calls this “flow,”. Align your skills with challenges and stay engaged in activities that genuinely matter to you to find greater happiness and fulfilment.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Our emotions, biases, and attitudes toward money can profoundly impact our financial decisions and outcomes. Financial contentment often comes from knowing when you have enough to meet your needs rather than pursuing endless wealth.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Rewire your life by identifying the habits that serve you and replacing the ones that don’t. Habits are the key to a good life. Identify the cues, routines, and rewards, and then shape them to your advantage.
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: Taleb introduces the concept of antifragility — the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. The key idea is to build resilience and adaptability in your life. Instead of avoiding chaos, you can use it to your advantage, becoming stronger and more robust in the process.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein: Generalists often outperform specialists in today’s complex and rapidly changing world. People with diverse interests and experiences tend to have a broader skill set, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Emotional intelligence is often more crucial than raw intelligence. Understanding and managing your emotions and those of others can lead to healthier relationships and increased success.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Take responsibility for your life — Prioritise principles like integrity, empathy, and continuous improvement to navigate life’s challenges better.
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt. To live a fulfilling life, balance your virtues like courage, wisdom, and love. It’s in the harmony of these virtues that true happiness resides.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: Talent isn’t everything; it’s grit that truly sets achievers apart. Effort counts twice in the pursuit of success. It contributes directly to skill development and amplifies the effects of talent or innate abilities.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. You can choose your attitude and find meaning even in the darkest moments. Your search for purpose is your path to resilience. Frankl’s memoir profoundly explores human suffering and the search for purpose. He argues that finding meaning in life is essential for personal fulfilment.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Beware of your cognitive biases; they can lead you astray. Master the art of thinking slowly and rationally for wiser decisions.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. Understanding the psychology of influence can empower you. Use these principles ethically, and you’ll navigate life more effectively.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Manson challenges the idea that constant positivity leads to a good life. Embracing life’s challenges and accepting limitations can be more meaningful. Focus on what truly matters and be selective about where you invest your energy to build a more satisfying life.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. To truly live, you must be vulnerable. Dare to step into the arena, face your fears, and open yourself up to authentic connections.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Solitude and deep thinking are strengths. Honour your need for solitude, and embrace your unique qualities.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown. In a world overflowing with choices and distractions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and spread too thin. McKeown’s book advocates for the disciplined pursuit of less but better. Learn to say no to non-essential tasks to find greater productivity, clarity, and fulfilment in your life.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. Your mornings set the tone for your day and, ultimately, your life. Start your day with intention through practices like meditation, journaling, and exercise.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. To live in harmony, follow these agreements: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. To succeed in life, believe in your capacity to learn and adapt. Cultivate a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to learn and adapt, and you’ll unlock your full potential.
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert. Humans often make predictions about what will make us happy, but these predictions are often flawed due to cognitive biases and errors in judgment. Major life events often have less lasting impact on our happiness than we anticipate.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink. Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the keys to motivation. Find your inner drive, and you’ll achieve your goals.
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. Beware of cognitive biases. They can cloud your judgment. Clear thinking leads to better decisions and a more fulfilled life.
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. In a world of endless choices, simplicity is a virtue. Reducing options can lead to more satisfaction and contentment.
Atomic Habits by James Clear. Small changes, big results. Every little action counts. So, if you want to build a great life, start with tiny habits and let them snowball into something amazing.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Life’s challenges are opportunities for growth. Remind yourself to embrace adversity as a chance to strengthen your character and find tranquillity.
The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal. Strengthen your self-control and willpower. With these tools, you can conquer your temptations and achieve your goals.
The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. Happiness is a skill. It’s within your control. Practice gratitude, savour positive experiences, and nurture your meaningful relationships.
The One Thing by Gary Keller. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a long to-do list. Find the one thing that, when accomplished, makes everything else easier or unnecessary. Keller and Papasan argue that identifying your “one thing” — the most important task — and giving it your undivided attention leads to remarkable results.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek. Understanding your “why” gives your life purpose and direction. When you know why you do what you do, you can make more intentional choices and find greater fulfilment in your life and work.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This novel, while not explicitly a self-help book, is a philosophical journey of self-discovery and purpose. It follows the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a quest to find his personal legend. Coelho’s narrative encourages you to listen to your heart, follow your dreams, and embrace life’s adventures in pursuit of a good life.
Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. Discovering your “ikigai,” the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, is essential for a fulfilling life. To truly live, find your purpose and live it every day.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. Procrastination can be a significant roadblock. When you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds. It’s a powerful tool to overcome procrastination and take action.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: Financial success is not just about amassing wealth; it’s about transforming your mindset and using the power of your thoughts to create the life you desire. Success begins in your mind. With the right beliefs and actions, you can achieve anything.
The Art of Living by Epictetus. Dive into the world of Stoic philosophy with this lesser-known gem by Epictetus. He offers practical wisdom on living a good life by focusing on what’s within your control, accepting what’s not, and cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice.
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Adopting a mindset of possibility can transform your life. Break through limitations, foster creativity, and embrace new opportunities. Seeing the world through the lens of possibility can lead to a more enriched and fulfilling life.
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey: This book goes beyond the tennis court to explore the mental aspect of performance in any area of life. Self-doubt and inner criticism can hinder your success. Mastering your inner game — overcoming self-sabotage and achieving focus can help you excel in various pursuits.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Embracing “Effortless action”, “non-action,” or the natural flow of life is the key to life satisfaction. Attachment leads to suffering. Reducing desires, shedding attachments, and embracing simplicity can help you find contentment and clarity.
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird. Learning from errors is a powerful way to refine your thinking and become a more resilient problem solver. Effective thinkers ask thought-provoking questions, question theirs assumptions and explore alternative perspectives.
On the Shortness of Life by Lucius Annaeus Seneca. People waste their days in trivial pursuits, pursuing empty pleasures and postponing their true aspirations. Recognise the fleeting nature of life and make the most of the time you have. Embrace the philosophy of carpe diem or “seize the day” to live a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest. People hinder their own progress and success due to subconscious patterns and beliefs. Self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-mastery are crucial elements for personal growth.

More
Thinking in Systems
Thinking Fast and Slow
Super Thinking
Predictably Irrational
Nudge
Problem Solving 101
Deep Work

How you use your eyes for learning? How you use your ears for learning?
Check this book if you wish to dive in.
The book also promises to make you a better designer/problem-solver.

Activities

Make Paper Airplanes – https://www.foldnfly.com/