Step Away from the Impulse Button!

If there were an Olympic event for “making decisions fast,” I’d be a gold medalist. I’m a textbook “D” on the DISC chart—Driven. Direct. Do-It-Now. If a challenge pops up, my brain says, “We’ve got this!” and my hands are already on the steering wheel before I even check the map.

Sometimes, that works brilliantly. Other times… well, let’s just say my “decisive” solution has occasionally created a second problem I now get to solve.

Critical thinking is the pause button we all need when our brain wants to sprint, but the situation calls for a careful walk.

At its core, critical thinking is self-discipline in action. It’s about slowing down—removing your opinions, your assumptions, and even that trusty gut instinct—and instead interpreting facts with a cool, clear head. It’s logic over impulse. Analysis over assumption.

When you do that, you open yourself up to the full spectrum of possibilities. And here’s the tricky part: our emotions often sneak in and steer our thinking without us even noticing. Past experiences, personal biases, fears, expectations—they can all quietly nudge us toward a decision before we’ve fully explored the options.

Critical thinking walks into a situation with no expectations, no emotional baggage, and no “team colors.” It asks, “What are the facts, and what is the most probable best outcome?” And it does that before deciding anything.

If you want to train your brain for better, more balanced decision-making, here are a few starter moves:

1. Clearly Define the Problem or Situation

Be the detective, remove the drama. Write down what’s actually happening—no feelings, no opinions, no “and then she gave me this look.” Just the facts. If you can’t explain the problem clearly, you’re going to have a hard time solving it.

2. Question Your Beliefs

Ask yourself: Why do I believe this? Sometimes we hang on to certain beliefs like that ugly-but-comfortable sweater we should have thrown out years ago. High achievers know that tossing old thinking can make room for better outcomes.

3. Assemble Information and Evaluate the Source

Not all information is created equal. Your cousin’s Facebook post about “how to solve everything” doesn’t count as solid research. Gather facts from trustworthy sources and make sure they’re relevant to your situation—not just interesting trivia.

4. Be Open-Minded

Admit you don’t have all the answers. (I know… I hate that too.) But the truth is, other perspectives can add puzzle pieces you didn’t even know were missing.

5. Analyze Your Decision

Before you commit, poke at your conclusion a little. Is it truly the best option? Or is it just the most comfortable? Critical thinkers are willing to ditch their favorite idea if something better shows up.

The Bottom Line: Critical thinking isn’t about being slow—it’s about being smart. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to pause, assess, and act with confidence. And the next time a challenge shows up, you’ll respond like a pro instead of simply reacting.

 “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”

Duke Ellington

As a thank you for reading this blog, I've created a free gift for you. Check out this short online course entitled Critical Thinking Unlocked. Use the code MYGIFTTOYOU to gain full access to the online course which includes an audio of the information and worksheets designed to enhance your critical thinking skills.

Here’s to fewer “oops” and more “ah-ha's,”

Dr. Julie Olsen