The Art of Making Sh!t Up

Chapter 2Listening to Understand

Thinking is hard. There are so many obstacles that we put in our own way when it comes to thinking; we don't have enough time or talent or creativity. We are constantly distracted by social media or children or pets. Life, man.

Thinking under pressure is even more difficult. With a time constraint put on the process, thinking can feel downright impossible. We can experience tunnel vision, a real experience brought on by not breathing, which limits oxygen and blood to the brain, which in turn limits that same blood and oxygen going to the eyes. (Yes, yes, smarter people will explain this more scientifically but basically this is what's happening.)

Self‐judgment, criticism, lack of confidence and self‐esteem all contribute to the ability or lack thereof to think quickly or creatively. Overthinking can lead to paralysis and indecision. Information overload can give us too many options, so much that we can't pick one idea and move on it. I call this the Cheesecake Factory effect. There are so many damned options on that menu that I always end up getting the same thing (jambalaya, in case you are wondering). Thinking, at its worst, is often focused on the negative aspects of what is going on or what might go wrong.

Thinking is also a deeply internal activity. By its nature it is introspective, focusing on what is on the inside and cutting out the external noise. For so many of us shutting off those outside distractions is a huge challenge. Focusing ...