Analytical skills are a person's ability to understand and solve problems using available information. These skills are very important in our professional, social and intellectual life. As a result, many people want to improve this skill. While analytical skills are not something that is easy to improve, there are several ways (passively or actively) you can do it. At the same time, you have to test and challenge yourself constantly to maintain and improve your skills.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using an Active Approach
Step 1. Do the math problems
Solving math problems is a common way to improve analytical skills. Math problems are very logical, and are usually structured in such a way that we have information and are forced to use it to solve problems. Thus, math problems are one of the easiest ways to improve analytical skills.
- Work on complex problems involving multilevel division, algebra, calculus, and more. These questions will help develop your logic and reasoning thereby improving your analytical skills.
- Identify math problems in everyday life, then take the time to solve them.
- Take university-level math courses. Many university-level math courses will help develop your analytical skills.
Step 2. Play brain games
One way to improve your analytical skills is to play “brain games”. This game challenges you to think deeply and develop analytical skills. This game will make you think in a certain pattern that helps to hone your thinking skills. Brain games are a fun way to develop your analytical skills.
- One example of a brain game is a logic puzzle. Logic puzzles consist of various variations, such as crossword puzzles, guesswork, Sudoku, and so on. Logic puzzles can be found on the internet or the nearest bookstore.
- Play board games. Many board games require you to use your analytical skills and develop them. The three most popular board games are Scrabble, a strategy game, and Chess (or Halma).
- Look for video games that develop your analytical skills. You can find a variety of video games that help develop analytical skills. Instead, look for strategy games or games that challenge you to solve problems and achieve broad goals.
Step 3. Join a debate or reading club
You can improve your analytical skills by joining a debate club or reading group. In this club, you have the opportunity to discuss ideas, literature and problems in a conducive atmosphere. In the end, a group like this will give you the opportunity to hone your analytical skills, as well as articulate yourself better.
- In the book club, you have the opportunity to chat about certain literature readings that have been observed. You can also discuss and interact with fellow members with other views.
- Debate clubs are a great place to hone your analytical skills because your perspectives and arguments will continue to be challenged by others who are also honing their debating skills.
- Most social groups that encourage exchange of ideas and learning will help actively develop analytical skills.
Part 2 of 3: Using Passive Techniques
Step 1. Build a broad knowledge base
One of the most important things in developing analytical skills is creating a solid knowledge base for yourself. The more you learn, and know the things in this world, the more tools and information you will know for understanding and solving problems. To broaden your knowledge base:
- Read a lot. Don't just focus on one subject or genre.
- Attend lectures or academic discussions and conferences.
- Go back to school or find free educational classes in your area.
Step 2. Take time to think things over
Set aside as much time as possible to think and reflect on things. In fact, take a moment to think instead of making hasty, rash decisions. Reflecting on things and considering various factors will help you hone your problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Take every opportunity to revisit things and consider different scenarios. For example, if you're going to eat a pawn with a rook in Chess, don't just think about your opponent's response to this move, but also consider all the possible responses your opponent could take.
- Consider different sides of the problem before choosing a solution.
- Do not immediately take the easiest and simplest solution. However, don't cross out the easiest solution completely as it might be worth picking up.
Step 3. Expand your view
One of the best ways to improve your analytical skills is to develop your view of the world. However, this method is not instant because it takes a long time. In essence, it helps you analyze information better and analyze ideas and their implications.
- Think about different ways of looking at the world. The trick, try to step outside your religious, political, and cultural views.
- Try to understand and even try to defend positions and ideas that you would normally ignore. The trick is to hold important political positions and try to rationalize and defend points of view that contradict your understanding.
- Hang out with people who are very different from yourself. Making friends with people with diverse ideas and backgrounds will help you understand and accept ideas that differ from yours.
Step 4. Find the relationship
Ultimately, many things in our daily lives are interconnected. Whether the migration of birds or other animals according to the seasons, or car emissions and changing weather patterns, they are all interrelated. By discovering these relationships, your analytical skills will be honed.
- Meditate on things in a cause-and-effect mindset. Think about a prolonged drought. What are the effects of drought? Don't stop at the obvious.
- Ponder the similarities between things. How are all beings the same? What similar things do humans and spiders need to live?
- Ponder relationships in history. What other general cycles, patterns, or trends do we see? For example, in US history, look at how the reformation period always ended in conflict (World War 1, World War 2, and the Vietnam War).
Step 5. Pay attention to detail
Attention to detail is very important in analytical skills. If you don't know the ins and outs of the problem, or know the specifics, solutions will be difficult to find and work. Make sure you pay attention to the little things (along with the big things).
- For example, when looking at a forest, try to pay attention to the uniqueness and location of each tree in it.
- When meeting new people, make sure you remember their names, clothes they wear, and anything else that sets them apart.
Step 6. Ask why things are the way they are
Contemplating the natural order of the world is very useful in honing your observational and analytical skills. By asking why things are the way they are, you will better understand the world and challenge yourself to think about complex problems.
- Never accept easy answers. You always have to question everything.
- If you see a dog, pay attention to its behavior. Ask yourself why dogs behave this way. If a dog runs to get a ball or a stick, is it done for fun? Was the behavior just a manifestation of his hunting instincts? Does the behavior show loyalty to the employer? Does the dog look excited, or just lazy?
Part 3 of 3: Applying Your Skills
Step 1. Find a new responsibility
After honing your analytical skills, put them to the test by taking on new responsibilities. Look for new responsibilities in your academic, personal, or professional life so that you can practice and sharpen your skills.
- Ask for a promotion or a better job. Move to positions that are more challenging and allow you to work more and demonstrate sharp analytical skills.
- Sign up for volunteer work. Certain volunteer work, such as a scout leader, children's team coach, or teacher at an orphanage will provide opportunities for you to use your analytical skills and help others.
Step 2. Challenge yourself with small things
Improving your analytical skills won't do you much good if you don't challenge yourself every day. Therefore, use your skills in the little things every day. Used every day, your skills will stay sharp and ensure you perform at your best in both your personal and professional life.
- Try to solve complex problems without help. For example, instead of using a calculator to calculate, do it by heart or count on a piece of paper.
- Avoid the easiest solution or path. While it's tempting to always take the quickest, simplest, or easiest way to solve a problem, don't do it. Test yourself by taking the hardest way to solve the problem.
Step 3. Invite others to think analytically
Once you feel confident in your analytical skills, help others improve their skills. Not only do you help others, but you also hone your own skills.
- Teach your coworkers.
- Create a blog to share your experiences with others.
- Try exercising with children, friends, or family who may have difficulty studying or working.
