The truth about Pragmatic thinkers.
Pavani Mantripragada
December 23, 2022. 2 Minute Read
Every time I think of Judy Hopps from Zootopia, it rejuvenates me with the idea that pragmatism might not be as bad as we make it. She’s not someone to have too much enthusiasm when she is assigned the case. Like a typical bunny, she is in the habit of being fast. She’s not shy about blackmailing Nick with Tax evasion into helping her. Yet, she is also hopeful and emotional. Pragmatism might sound like you do not consider emotions but purely base yourself on facts and figures, but that’s not it. Every individual is complex and unique in their way.
Pragmatic Thinking
A pragmatist is pragmatic, who is practical, and focused on reaching one’s goals. The adjective form means functional, particularly in making decisions.
Whereas Pragmatic language refers to social language skills we use in everyday interactions. Pragmatic language is communicating appropriately in social situations (knowing what to say, how, and when to say it). We need pragmatics to understand how language is used in specific contexts and to be able to employ it appropriately.
Pragmatism is a way of approaching things that focuses on a practical or logical answer. Pragmatism is a way of dealing with problems or situations focused on practical approaches and solutions that work in practice rather than being perfect in theory. Solving problems in a logical, reasonable manner is one example of pragmatism.
Emotions are good. We need them. But consider how exactly to use those emotions in practical results. For example, let’s assume you are passionate about becoming a YouTuber. Just passion will not lead you to become a successful YouTuber. You require facts and figures for the content you make. It should be change the content matter when it doesn’t reach the goal. Change the way you present it. You have to catch up with the current trends.
Pragmatism and Holistic Wellbeing: Is There Any Association?
Pragmatism indeed has a practical approach. But is it healthy for Holistic Well-being? Pragmatism might not be directly involved in the growth of wellbeing, but it is an associated factor. Pragmatism is being realistic in your approach. It will support your wellbeing through planning and being practical in your journey.
We all know the significant effect of pragmatism on money matters. So goes the famous thought that when it comes to money, one should be as pragmatic as possible. Financial Wellness is a part of holistic wellness. A realistic approach to money management will bring the required amount of Financial Wellness. A practical and planned approach to the environment will contribute to your health.
A pragmatic approach in your workplace is a must which will allow you to be more productive. It will take you ahead into your career. Growth in such aspects needs a more realistic and statistical approach. If one has to dig deeper, this has allowed significant advancements in medicine, technology, and social structure.
Some Rules of Pragmatic Thinking
In the book Pragmatic Thinking And Learning, Andy Hunt lays down the rules of pragmatism.
Dreyfus’s Model of Proficiency categorizes learners into five categories:
The journey from Novice to Expert
Novice
- Novice requires rules to follow to produce results
- Novice is not necessarily inclined to learn
- Novices cannot always succeed because you cannot put everything into rules
Advanced Beginner
- They can work on some tasks on their own
- They can’t see the big picture, yet
- They have troubleshooting issues
Competent
- Often does planning
- solves new problems
Proficient
- able to self-improve
- learns from others’ experience
- understands and applies maxims
Expert
- relies on their intuition
- fails if you impose rules on them
- needs to have access to the big picture
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The only path to a correct self-assessment is to improve the individual’s skill level.”
It takes ten years of deliberate practice to become an expert.
Decode Your Brain
There are two Modes:
- R-Mode (Rich Mode)
R-Mode is a rich, intuitive, non-verbal, unconscious, and largely uncontrollable way that operates in the background
- L-Mode(Linear Mode)
A linear mode is a step-by-step, verbal, conscious way of thinking
L-mode (linear mode)Always take something to write on because the R-Mode will give ideas at the most inconvenient times. We can learn better by synthesis (building things involves R-mode) than by analysis (only involves L-mode)
Remember! Positive emotions make you more creative. Negative emotions hurt creativity. A good design fosters positive emotions and, thus, creativity.
Give Your Mind The Right Enrichment
Now that you have understood your brain give your R and L modes the right kind of enrichment by creating various exercises.
1. Debug Your Mind
Our mind has various things going on all at once. We need to erase multiple kinds of preset judgment in our minds. We need to rewire our brains to allow a more pragmatic approach.
2. Gather Experience
Explore before you make up a study about it. It’s like touching the bath water before you take a bath.
3. Pay Attention Before Time
Pay attention to the present before planning for the future. Our Future correlates to the present. So, please pay attention to the present before you give time to plan its future.
Final Thoughts
Pragmatism may sound very harsh at first to plan everything and look at the success and failure rates before we take action, but it might just as well be the thing you need to make yourself happy and content in life.
