Are You Using All 6 Gears of Your Brain?

About Brilliance Brief

Hi friends! If you’re one of the 3,944 new subscribers joining us for the first time, welcome. This is your go-to source for practical, no-nonsense advice. Each week, I share real-world tips from my years in the C-Suite and now as an entrepreneur. Helping you lead with confidence, grow your career, and live with purpose.

Today at a Glance

• Why critical thinking is your secret advantage

• The six gears of your brain explained

• Practical tips to shift your thinking

• Looking for my library of 70+ cheat sheets? It’s here. Enjoy!

[5-min read]

Why Critical Thinking is Your Most Underrated Skill

Imagine navigating life with just two tools: a hammer and a screwdriver.

That might work for simple tasks, but what about when things get complicated?

This is how many people approach challenges: using a limited set of thinking skills. We stay in the comfort zone of basic recall or simple comprehension.

But here’s the thing:

The biggest challenges require more.

Critical thinking is your Swiss Army knife.

It’s the skill that helps you break down complex issues, spot patterns others miss, and approach problems from new angles.

The Edge You Can’t Ignore

We live in an age where information is everywhere. Facts are just a click away.

But the real advantage now is knowing how to think critically.

Whether you’re leading a team, making career choices, or trying to grow personally, your ability to evaluate, analyze, and act wisely sets you apart.

Consider this: Would you rather be the person who memorizes statistics or the one who turns data into insights and solutions?

6 Gears of Your Mind

Think of your brain like a car with six gears, each representing a deeper level of thinking.

Most people stay stuck in first or second gear: remembering and understanding.

It’s safe. It’s familiar.

But real growth? That happens when you shift into higher gears.

This is where critical thinking shines. It’s where strategic decisions are made, and innovative solutions are born.

And it’s not just for CEOs or scholars.

It’s for anyone who wants to excel in business, lead better, or make smarter life choices.

To fully understand these higher levels of thinking, let’s explore what each of these six gears looks like.

I created an infographic based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Here’s a high-res PDF version you can save.

A Quick Look at Bloom’s Taxonomy

Back in 1956, educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom and his team created a framework that’s stood the test of time: Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Originally designed for educators, this hierarchy of six cognitive levels was meant to push students beyond basic learning and into deeper thinking.

Think of it as a ladder—each rung takes you higher toward insightful thinking and better decision-making.

Why does this matter to you?

Because Bloom’s Taxonomy isn’t just for classrooms.

It’s a powerful guide for anyone who wants to move from simply knowing facts to applying, analyzing, and creating innovative solutions.

Now, let’s break down these gears to see how you can put them to work in your life.

The 6 Gears of Thinking Explained

Let’s break down each gear and how you can shift your thinking:

1st Gear: REMEMBER

• What it is: Your brain’s filing cabinet for facts.

• Practical tip: Revisit key notes regularly using spaced repetition.

• Apply it: Keep a list of key ideas or concepts and glance at it weekly. It’s like refreshing your toolkit.

2nd Gear: UNDERSTAND

• What it is: The “aha” stage—when facts start to make sense.

• Practical tip: Summarize new concepts in your own words or teach them to someone else.

• Apply it: Summarize meetings in your own words. If you can explain it, you understand it.

3rd Gear: APPLY

• What it is: Turning knowledge into action.

• Practical tip: Take a new idea and try it out in real life. Practice makes knowledge stick.

• Apply it: Try a new productivity strategy in your workflow. Notice the changes in your day-to-day.

4th Gear: ANALYZE

• What it is: Breaking down information to find connections.

• Practical tip: Ask questions like, “What’s influencing this?” and “What’s missing here?”

• Apply it: When tackling a complex task, ask yourself, “What am I overlooking?”

5th Gear: EVALUATE

• What it is: Making informed judgments.

• Practical tip: Weigh pros and cons, and ensure your decision is backed by data.

• Apply it: During your next team meeting, ask, “How does this align with our goals?” Challenge assumptions for sharper decisions.

6th Gear: CREATE

• What it is: The space for innovation—where new ideas are born.

• Practical tip: Set aside time for unrestricted brainstorming. Don’t censor your ideas.

• Apply it: Dedicate 30 minutes a week to brainstorming solutions or fresh ideas. Innovation thrives on practice.

When you shift into higher gears, you unlock your potential for strategic thinking and innovation.

Final Thoughts

Critical thinking isn’t just an advantage. It’s becoming indispensable.

Whether you’re applying a new strategy or innovating, shifting through all six gears sets you apart.

Keep pushing yourself to think differently, and the results will follow.

Until next week, shift into higher gears,

Justin