Using Abstract Thinking To Give Your Business an Edge
Real Life Challenge
Imagine you are at an in-person event training and you’re struggling to understand what the presenter is sharing - a way to provide so much value that it 10X her business, without it taking any additional time.
This sounds like something you can do in your business, you know it will give you an edge, but there’s a problem, you’re struggling to really understand what she is talking about and how to apply it to your business.
28 Thinking Skills
Thinking is made of 28 parts called cognitive functions.
Naturally we all have stronger ones and weaker ones, but those weaker ones are making it hard for you to do what you want to do.
One of those cognitive functions is abstract thinking.
You may be struggling to understand what the presenter is saying, if you struggle with abstract thinking.
It might be easier for you to understand this concept, by explaining the opposite - concrete thinking.
Concrete Thinking
Concrete thinking is using pictures or even items to help you understand an idea.
If I show you an apple and tell you this is an apple, that is concrete thinking.
If I show you a picture of a real apple, it’s a bit less concrete and a bit more abstract.
If I show you an apple drawing it's a bit less concrete and even more abstract.
If I just tell you what an apple is, that is the most abstract.
As you see, it’s a spectrum.
Most learning & understanding falls somewhere in between concrete and abstract thinking.
If the presenter is just talking, you’re going to have to use abstract thinking to understand, however if she draws diagrams and pictures, it becomes a bit more concrete and makes it easier for you to understand.
5 Ways Abstract Thinking Will Give Your Business an Edge
Before we get into how to improve abstract thinking, let’s discuss 5 ways abstract thinking will give your business an edge:
- As we just said, being able to understand and learn from more people (even when they don’t use pictures to explain it.) Years ago, I trained preschool teachers, and had a teacher who could not understand ANYTHING without a picture. Every skill, every game, every craft needed a diagram to help her understand it. It took a lot of my time and I always used to think, how much time she could save by improving this cognitive function.
- You save time!
- Abstract thinking helps you with coming up with creative solutions. Many times, people are stuck in the details and what they SEE in front of them, (concrete thinking) so they only think of a solution with what’s in front of them.
- Many business concepts and plans require abstract thinking. How’s anticipating trends for abstract thinking? You have no way of seeing it. Or projecting what your business will do?
- A lot of soft skills such as communication and leadership require abstract thinking. How will they react? How do I inspire them? What’s the best way to collaborate? Understanding other humans, what they are not saying and how make the situation win-win, requires abstract thinking.
Improving Your Abstract Thinking
Here are 3 ways to get better at abstract thinking:
- At the dinner table, or whenever you in a non pressurized environment, tell the people you are with you want to get better at abstract thinking. Then whenever anyone one talks, they’ve got to use words to express what they are thinking. No drawing, no hand motions (like pointing and saying “imagine this is the door”) and even better, no analogies.
- Read books or listen to podcasts on abstract concepts (ones without diagrams) - such as science and art.
- Journaling is a great way to write your thoughts. Once again, see if you can do it without diagrams or pictures
One last tip, whenever you are talking to others, especially to a lot of people, such as in a speech or content creation - do the opposite. Try to use as many diagrams, pictures and analogies as possible as there WILL be people who struggle with abstract thinking and this way, they’ll get to understand you better.
Your Challenge
Your challenge this week is to pick one way to improve your abstract thinking and do for at least 5 minutes every day.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
Using Abstract Thinking To Give Your Business an Edge
Real Life Challenge
Imagine you are at an in-person event training and you’re struggling to understand what the presenter is sharing - a way to provide so much value that it 10X her business, without it taking any additional time.
This sounds like something you can do in your business, you know it will give you an edge, but there’s a problem, you’re struggling to really understand what she is talking about and how to apply it to your business.
28 Thinking Skills
Thinking is made of 28 parts called cognitive functions.
Naturally we all have stronger ones and weaker ones, but those weaker ones are making it hard for you to do what you want to do.
One of those cognitive functions is abstract thinking.
You may be struggling to understand what the presenter is saying, if you struggle with abstract thinking.
It might be easier for you to understand this concept, by explaining the opposite - concrete thinking.
Concrete Thinking
Concrete thinking is using pictures or even items to help you understand an idea.
If I show you an apple and tell you this is an apple, that is concrete thinking.
If I show you a picture of a real apple, it’s a bit less concrete and a bit more abstract.
If I show you an apple drawing it's a bit less concrete and even more abstract.
If I just tell you what an apple is, that is the most abstract.
As you see, it’s a spectrum.
Most learning & understanding falls somewhere in between concrete and abstract thinking.
If the presenter is just talking, you’re going to have to use abstract thinking to understand, however if she draws diagrams and pictures, it becomes a bit more concrete and makes it easier for you to understand.
5 Ways Abstract Thinking Will Give Your Business an Edge
Before we get into how to improve abstract thinking, let’s discuss 5 ways abstract thinking will give your business an edge:
- As we just said, being able to understand and learn from more people (even when they don’t use pictures to explain it.) Years ago, I trained preschool teachers, and had a teacher who could not understand ANYTHING without a picture. Every skill, every game, every craft needed a diagram to help her understand it. It took a lot of my time and I always used to think, how much time she could save by improving this cognitive function.
- You save time!
- Abstract thinking helps you with coming up with creative solutions. Many times, people are stuck in the details and what they SEE in front of them, (concrete thinking) so they only think of a solution with what’s in front of them.
- Many business concepts and plans require abstract thinking. How’s anticipating trends for abstract thinking? You have no way of seeing it. Or projecting what your business will do?
- A lot of soft skills such as communication and leadership require abstract thinking. How will they react? How do I inspire them? What’s the best way to collaborate? Understanding other humans, what they are not saying and how make the situation win-win, requires abstract thinking.
Improving Your Abstract Thinking
Here are 3 ways to get better at abstract thinking:
- At the dinner table, or whenever you in a non pressurized environment, tell the people you are with you want to get better at abstract thinking. Then whenever anyone one talks, they’ve got to use words to express what they are thinking. No drawing, no hand motions (like pointing and saying “imagine this is the door”) and even better, no analogies.
- Read books or listen to podcasts on abstract concepts (ones without diagrams) - such as science and art.
- Journaling is a great way to write your thoughts. Once again, see if you can do it without diagrams or pictures
One last tip, whenever you are talking to others, especially to a lot of people, such as in a speech or content creation - do the opposite. Try to use as many diagrams, pictures and analogies as possible as there WILL be people who struggle with abstract thinking and this way, they’ll get to understand you better.
Your Challenge
Your challenge this week is to pick one way to improve your abstract thinking and do for at least 5 minutes every day.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
