Accurate Thinking | Virtue Building
Article Summary
We discuss Virtue #2 on the 12-week virtue-building program and that is accurate thinking. What is accurate thinking? To me, it is very much related to the scripture Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
How does one do this? It takes courage, discipline, and faith. And that’s what we discuss this week and build on this virtue.
You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is Accurate Thinking?”
When I was studying Napoleon Hill’s Science of Success and got to the 10th principle, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Sounds easy, but what is it? What does it have to do with me or you? How does this apply to our lives? What does it mean?
Watch the video here:
Listen to the episode here:
Well, here’s how Napoleon Hill described Accurate Thinking;
“Accurate thought involves two fundamentals.
1. First, you must separate facts from mere information.
2. Second, you must separate facts into two classes-the important and the unimportant.
Only by doing so can you think clearly and accurately.
Accurate thinkers permit no one to do their thinking for them.
Gather information and listen to the opinions of others, but reserve for yourself the privilege of making decisions.
Truth will be truth, regardless of a closed mind, ignorance, or the refusal to believe.”
Wow, that sounds easy. Fact vs Fiction; Important vs Unimportant.
Example of facts vs fiction
Have you ever had someone tell you something that was totally their opinion with no facts to back it up and then it turns out that the facts were contrary to what they said? This happens in sports, the news, and gossip all the time.
Here’s an example: February 5, 2017. Some of you know exactly what that is, ESPECIALLY if you live in Atlanta. Super Bowl LI. If you were watching the game you might have turned it off in the 3rd quarter thinking the Atlanta Falcons just beat the New England Patriots, 28-3, in the super bowl. Let’s take it a step further and say that someone told you the Falcons won the game 28-3.
And at 2:08 left in the 3rd quarter, the Falcons blew a 25-point lead to lose 34-28, the largest lead to ever be lost in a super bowl, to the New England Patriots.
So here’s how this relates; FACT: the Patriots overcome the 25-point deficit and won the game 34-28, FICTION: the Falcons did not win the game 28-3.
IMPORTANT: The ONE who said the Falcons won the game thought it was very important, the reason he was so upset and spoke without having the facts.
UNIMPORTANT: Get the facts and let it go. The pendulum at work. Learned how to control your emotions. Does it really matter who won that game?
Small example, but you get it.
Why Accurate Thinking is Vital
I agree with Dr. Hill’s opinion on how important the principle of Accurate Thinking is. He says
“It is a principle which is on the “must list” of all who would attain the master-key to riches and gain entrance to the great state of Happy Valley.
It is one of the most important subjects known to mankind; yet, paradoxically, it is one of the least understood.”
I believe that one must live the life that one chooses to live and not one that is chosen by others. It all starts with having control over your own mind.
Without accurate thinking you allow others’ opinions to affect your thinking and could change the trajectory of your life, and not usually the way you want it to.
Control Your Own Life
So how can you use accurate thinking to be in control of your life? Here are some of Dr Hill’s points to ponder about the principle of Accurate Thinking:
Thoughts have power, are under your control, and can be used wisely or unwisely.
Accurate thinking is a moral duty.
Nothing great can happen without accurate thinking.
Accurate thinkers accept no political, religious, or other types of thought, regardless of its source, until it is carefully analyzed. (Do your homework).
Accurate thinkers are the masters of their own emotions. (This is very important. You never want to make decisions based on emotions).
Accurate thinking calls for the highest order of self-discipline - another virtue we will be studying.
Accurate thinking involves two fundamentals. First, you must separate facts from the information. Second, you must separate facts into two classes, the important and the unimportant.
It takes concentration to control your attention and focus it on a problem until you have solved it.
Turn on the full power of your mind, and control your life.
Your power of thought is the only thing over which you have complete control. To use this power effectively, you must think accurately.
Accurate thinkers allow no one to do their thinking for them.
Accurate thinkers know that emotions are not always reliable.
Using these 12 points will allow you to be an accurate thinker and be in full control of your life.
Here are some quotes that are on your download for the week. Use them for inspiration and journal prompts as you like:
Einstein said "We can't solve our problems with the same thinking we used in creating them.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8
Become aware of your thinking and you will recognize a law between your mood and your surrounding circumstances. -Neville Goddard
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
“There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge, both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.” Napoleon Hill
Conclusion
As you can see accurate thinking is a huge part of our success and happiness. If we wonder around thinking aimlessly we are likely to be bombarded by pendulums. A pendulum is from the book Reality Transurfing and is just a thought structure that everyone thinks and it only wants our energy.
Identify which pendulums in your life are constructive and destructive. and maintain accurate thinking with discipline, courage, and faith. You will find that accurate thinking can and will serve you.
Here are some further resources for study on accurate thinking:
Download your Mental Diet Resource Guide Here
The book: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
The book: Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Read more articles here!
