Have you ever wished you could think faster? I certainly have.
Watching comedians engage in witty conversations on TV or seeing people make quick-witted decisions made me wonder, “How do they do that?”
In this post, I’ll introduce six ways to sharpen your thinking speed.
1. Expand Your Knowledge
Think about it—don’t you naturally talk more about topics you love compared to those you don’t?
This is because you have more knowledge about the things you’re passionate about.
Speaking is a form of output.
To output effectively, you need to have sufficient input—your existing knowledge.
The more knowledge you have, the faster you can retrieve relevant information in your brain.
This, in turn, leads to quicker thinking.
2. Exercise Regularly
Exercise has countless benefits.
I can personally attest to this, as I spent ten years without any exercise before developing a fitness habit.
Not only does exercise improve your physical health, but it also helps speed up your thinking.
While exercise may not directly impact cognitive speed, it enhances blood circulation, which boosts brain function.
Additionally, when you exercise, you take a break from work and worries, allowing your mind to reset and fostering creativity.
3. Engage in Conversations
Talking to others provides valuable external stimulation.
A conversation is more complex than it seems—while speaking, you are simultaneously thinking about what to say next, forming words, reading the other person’s expressions, guessing their emotions, and responding accordingly.
The more you engage in conversations, the more your brain gets stimulated, naturally enhancing your thinking speed.
4. Take on New Challenges
Trying new things introduces you to new knowledge.
When you acquire information that previously didn’t exist in your mind and compare it with what you already know, your brain processes more data, enriching your cognitive capacity.
Additionally, new experiences provide fresh external stimuli.
Many CEOs have hobbies they are passionate about, which suggests that engaging in leisure activities is essential for sharp thinking.
Success doesn’t come from just working or studying endlessly—it’s about broadening your experiences.
5. Take Time to Think Deeply
Trying to think faster all the time won’t necessarily improve your speed.
As a tutor, I’ve realized that when students say, “I want to read faster because I can’t finish my tests on time,” the key isn’t to rush but to practice deep understanding outside of test situations.
For example, when reading, students should look up unfamiliar words, fully comprehend each sentence, and reread passages for clarity.
Over time, they become more familiar with words and concepts, leading to faster reading.
The same applies to thinking speed.
When something catches your attention, take the time to analyze it deeply.
Through repeated reflection, you will gain insights, discover effective approaches, and gradually increase your cognitive speed.
6. Gain More Experience
Whether in communication or presentations, experience exposes you to various situations.
When you encounter a familiar situation, you already have an idea of what to do, reducing the time needed to make decisions.
This means you can take action immediately.
By reviewing and reflecting on past experiences, you enhance your ability to handle different scenarios efficiently, allowing you to focus on what truly matters and speeding up your thinking process.
Personally, when I struggle with communication, I write down difficult situations and think about how I should have responded.
I even memorize potential responses.
This builds confidence for future interactions, allowing me to allocate mental resources more efficiently and think more effectively.
The Most Important Key: Consistency
The key to improvement is practicing these methods daily over years.
There’s no shortcut to developing fundamental skills.
If there were, everyone would succeed instantly—but reality doesn’t work that way.
That’s why the most crucial factor is consistency.
Start with one habit, then move on to the next.
If you continue for a year or two, you’ll look back and see noticeable growth in your abilities.
If you stop making an effort, your progress halts.
To become the person you aspire to be, take the necessary steps forward.
That’s the most important lesson of all.