"I Think Too Much: Highly Sensitive People Are More Likely to Succeed" Reading Notes#
Author: [Fr] Christel Petitcollin
Reading Time: 3 hours
These are the notes and excerpts I recorded while reading "I Think Too Much: Highly Sensitive People Are More Likely to Succeed" on WeChat Reading.
Chapter One: High Sensitivity is Your Precious Gift#
In daily life, such gazes often make those being watched feel disturbed, scrutinized, or even examined. In fact, their purpose of observation is not judgment but understanding. For François, observation can bring him peace of mind. In this process, the details they observe will also be stored in memory. Those with exceptionally sensitive vision have another trait: they are very sensitive to brightness.
The five senses make our lives colorful. Through various senses filled with pleasurable information—beautiful images, pleasant sounds, delightful feelings, various aromas, and delicious tastes—we experience the vibrant colors of life. Multidirectional thinkers feel joy and emotion when they see the sunset or hear birds singing. In such moments, they can most deeply appreciate their uniqueness. They try to share their feelings with those around them but are not understood. People around them sigh, saying, "Yes, it's nice, but isn't that just the sunset? You've seen it before! Let's go!" Some even mockingly say, "Chirp, chirp, chirp, the birds are singing! How old are you?" This highly sensitive trait can explain why multidirectional thinkers, although they may feel depressed at times, still maintain a strong love for life and can reignite their passion for life at any moment due to a ray of sunshine.
In daily life, such gazes often make those being watched feel disturbed, scrutinized, or even examined. In fact, their purpose of observation is not judgment but understanding. For François, observation can bring him peace of mind. In this process, the details they observe will also be stored in memory. Those with exceptionally sensitive vision have another trait: they are very sensitive to brightness.
The five senses make our lives colorful. Through various senses filled with pleasurable information—beautiful images, pleasant sounds, delightful feelings, various aromas, and delicious tastes—we experience the vibrant colors of life. Multidirectional thinkers feel joy and emotion when they see the sunset or hear birds singing. In such moments, they can most deeply appreciate their uniqueness. They try to share their feelings with those around them but are not understood. People around them sigh, saying, "Yes, it's nice, but isn't that just the sunset? You've seen it before! Let's go!" Some even mockingly say, "Chirp, chirp, chirp, the birds are singing! How old are you?" This highly sensitive trait can explain why multidirectional thinkers, although they may feel depressed at times, still maintain a strong love for life and can reignite their passion for life at any moment due to a ray of sunshine.
Chapter Two: Rich Emotions Make You More Empathetic#
When judged or criticized, multidirectional thinkers feel ashamed of themselves and think they are terrible. However, let us try to imagine what the world would be like without the more direct and sensitive expressions of multidirectional thinkers. There would be no creativity, no empathy, and no sense of humor. Everyone would be filled with rationality, always self-controlled, with no warmth at all. What would humanity become without the ability to feel indignation and resistance, especially lacking the seemingly crazy yet highly infectious passion? The world needs the existence of multidirectional thinkers to counterbalance a society that is sometimes overly rational and indifferent. Super sensitivity is one of the traits of multidirectional thinkers. If you are extremely sensitive, then besides this trait, you are likely to possess other personality traits: in interpersonal relationships, you are kind, selfless, and passionate; towards yourself, you are quite harsh, always self-doubting, and may even self-deprecate; your strengths lie in your open-mindedness, curiosity, sense of humor, and innocence; you are straightforward, upright, and sincere, with an unparalleled sense of justice. The more you can accept your true self, the better you can manage this magical sensitivity trait and your emotions. Because the key to effectively managing emotions is to have a correct understanding of oneself. As you deepen your understanding of yourself, you will comprehend yourself and be able to properly cope with your emotional storms, making emotions your friends and guides.
For multidirectional thinkers, replacing cold criticism with warm encouragement, offering praise and comfort, and expressing trust in them is a good way to motivate them, as the desire to meet others' expectations and prove their abilities is their greatest motivation.
This mechanism can preserve a person's life, but it can also bring great trouble: in a stressful environment, a person no longer seeks ways to cope with adverse situations. Moreover, the healing process cannot begin normally. The amygdala is paralyzed by the constant secretion of morphine and ketamine from the brain, unable to release the emotional shocks suffered to another structure—the hippocampus (which is akin to software that processes and stores memories). Situations that trigger stress responses remain sealed in the amygdala. Sometimes, years later, when flashbacks occur, one still feels completely back in that situation. Because the amygdala has "short-circuited," stress situations remain sealed in the amygdala, leading to the feeling of repeatedly being in past scenes. This phenomenon is known as "post-traumatic stress disorder."
Some multidirectional thinkers choose to live in a state of almost continuous dissociation, "rationally" viewing all emotionally charged situations, no longer able to keenly identify everything. They feel that nothing can touch them, that the present is unreliable, and that they are detached from real life. To maintain distance from their emotions, they adopt some defense mechanisms, making them appear very indifferent and unresponsive to anything. But this is merely a facade; inside, everything is boiling and burning.
Due to their inherently selfless nature, they also find it hard to imagine that others can be calculating and selfish. They believe that others think like them and that people are inherently good and do not scheme; they cannot imagine that there is pure malice and intentional destruction, as this is absolutely meaningless. Such thoughts make them vulnerable to manipulation and harm by some manipulators and deceivers. They believe malice does not exist, yet it becomes increasingly difficult for them to understand why they are repeatedly betrayed. Some multidirectional thinkers may become bitter, suspicious, or even paranoid and reclusive, as isolating themselves may become their only way to protect themselves.
Multidirectional thinkers have the ability to notice others' body language, perceive subtle changes in tone and expression; they can sense others' emotions to understand their thoughts. For most multidirectional thinkers, noticing others' emotional states and understanding their expectations and thoughts happen naturally. However, this natural attention to others may make those who are not sincere feel uneasy.
Because multidirectional thinkers are very good at reading minds, they believe others can also guess what they are thinking. If others appear indifferent, they think it is intentional. If multidirectional thinkers can understand that "ordinary people" find it difficult to read body language and understand others' thoughts and emotions, then they will realize that others' situations are not as they imagined, and they will feel comforted, no longer expecting that one day others will reciprocate with the same quality of care.
I can notice all the details, even the most trivial ones, which allows me to perceive a person as a whole. Just by looking at someone's clothing, posture, and manner of speaking, I immediately know who I am dealing with. In fact, it's not that I want to know; it's that I can't help but know. I know my sensitivity makes people uncomfortable because even if I say nothing, people feel I see right through them, and they feel uneasy when they are with me. When I see someone deceiving themselves, thinking illogically and getting deeper into trouble, every word I say may cause them pain because what I say is precisely the reality they want to escape from or the issues they refuse to face. In any situation, I can see the problem at a glance and know what to do to change the situation. I always know in advance what will happen next, which makes me feel troubled and exhausted. I even feel very lonely."
She can only avoid telling others what she sees. Multidirectional thinkers are like Cassandra, who can see, hear, and feel many things early on but must remain silent because no one wants to hear her "prophecies."
There is a Japanese proverb that says, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." The implication is that to be liked, it is better to fail by sticking to the old ways than to succeed by breaking the mold. It is better for everyone to make mistakes together than for one person to avoid punishment alone. This is what is meant by "knowing how to howl with the wolves." However, some multidirectional thinkers insist on taking the risk of becoming a laughingstock by shouting out the truths they see, even if it means playing the lute to a cow.
Multidirectional thinkers who exhibit symptoms of Cassandra syndrome merely want others to benefit from their predictions. However, some lessons can only be learned through personal experience, and everyone needs to learn through making mistakes. Therefore, let everyone develop at their own pace.
Chapter Three: A Good Level of Self-Esteem Helps You Understand Rejection Better#
Imagine if light were used as an example, your expression might encompass the entire spectrum, while some people's expressions can only contain monochromatic light. Therefore, in the communication process, they can only capture part of the information you express and can only respond to that part, ignoring other subtle details. The most wonderful parts you think exist do not exist for others. Multidirectional thinkers constantly experience this situation. This partly explains why they lack a sense of identity: the mirror of interpersonal relationships cannot reflect their image as a whole; the image reflected is often fragmented and distorted, as the feedback from those around them often highlights their oddities and "abnormalities."
Multidirectional thinkers reject excessive self-focus. They firmly believe that excessive self-focus makes people selfish and highly individualistic. However, this is not the case: only when unmet do people become aggressive. A nourished person will be calm towards others and willing to help. However, to gain nourishment, one must have a good level of self-esteem, which is not the case in reality.
Of course, all this happens when a person has completely lost the objectivity of self-awareness—success is merely a favor from fate and fleeting, while failure is certain, proving that one is truly worthless. People no longer desire acceptance and validation; instead, they increasingly fear failure and rejection.
Getting recognition for achievements is also not simple. Nowadays, people prefer to point out mistakes rather than acknowledge progress; they prefer criticism over encouragement. This is in stark contrast to the environment that multidirectional thinkers need to soothe themselves. Social interactions bring them distress, and misunderstanding the rules is seen as malice. When they put their all into completing a task, they may deviate from the topic or fail to meet the teacher's expectations. Therefore, they rarely receive external recognition. Additionally, their perfectionism also plays a role in their inability to recognize their own successes. Multidirectional thinkers have a special sensitivity that allows them to see the potential for perfection in every thing, situation, and person. Their reference standards are very absolute. Because multidirectional thinkers find it difficult to acknowledge that nothing in this world is perfect, their successes are almost never recognized by themselves.
Multidirectional thinkers have faced rejection since childhood. Typically, rejected individuals will immediately adjust their behavior and quickly regain peer recognition. But multidirectional thinkers are not like this; they are very aware that they are different but do not understand where they went wrong. Because fundamentally, they are rejected due to their inherent structure. They develop a deep fear of rejection and abandonment. Later, in relationships, especially with friends and partners, they continue to be influenced by this fear, falling into complex and painful situations, giving too much power to their friends or partners.
I either lie through my teeth or think too highly of myself.
For multidirectional thinkers, rejection, criticism, and ridicule are forms of psychological violence; even trivial harm can lead to Stockholm syndrome. Its symptoms can explain why many multidirectional thinkers habitually guess others' thoughts, try to please others, and completely agree before others have said much, making it impossible for them to oppose anyone. The fear of rejection and abandonment makes multidirectional thinkers easily influenced and thus vulnerable to emotional manipulation.
Only children need unconditional love to help them grow; adults do not need such love, so you no longer need to please everyone.
When your self-worth is rooted in genuine emotions rather than some qualities you possess, you can break free from depression. You do not need to prove your worth; you are beautiful because of your imperfections. Being content with being yourself allows you to recognize yourself.
Imagine if light were used as an example, your expression might encompass the entire spectrum, while some people's expressions can only contain monochromatic light. Therefore, in the communication process, they can only capture part of the information you express and can only respond to that part, ignoring other subtle details. The most wonderful parts you think exist do not exist for others. Multidirectional thinkers constantly experience this situation. This partly explains why they lack a sense of identity: the mirror of interpersonal relationships cannot reflect their image as a whole; the image reflected is often fragmented and distorted, as the feedback from those around them often highlights their oddities and "abnormalities."
Multidirectional thinkers reject excessive self-focus. They firmly believe that excessive self-focus makes people selfish and highly individualistic. However, this is not the case: only when unmet do people become aggressive. A nourished person will be calm towards others and willing to help. However, to gain nourishment, one must have a good level of self-esteem, which is not the case in reality.
Of course, all this happens when a person has completely lost the objectivity of self-awareness—success is merely a favor from fate and fleeting, while failure is certain, proving that one is truly worthless. People no longer desire acceptance and validation; instead, they increasingly fear failure and rejection.
Getting recognition for achievements is also not simple. Nowadays, people prefer to point out mistakes rather than acknowledge progress; they prefer criticism over encouragement. This is in stark contrast to the environment that multidirectional thinkers need to soothe themselves. Social interactions bring them distress, and misunderstanding the rules is seen as malice. When they put their all into completing a task, they may deviate from the topic or fail to meet the teacher's expectations. Therefore, they rarely receive external recognition. Additionally, their perfectionism also plays a role in their inability to recognize their own successes. Multidirectional thinkers have a special sensitivity that allows them to see the potential for perfection in every thing, situation, and person. Their reference standards are very absolute. Because multidirectional thinkers find it difficult to acknowledge that nothing in this world is perfect, their successes are almost never recognized by themselves.
Multidirectional thinkers have faced rejection since childhood. Typically, rejected individuals will immediately adjust their behavior and quickly regain peer recognition. But multidirectional thinkers are not like this; they are very aware that they are different but do not understand where they went wrong. Because fundamentally, they are rejected due to their inherent structure. They develop a deep fear of rejection and abandonment. Later, in relationships, especially with friends and partners, they continue to be influenced by this fear, falling into complex and painful situations, giving too much power to their friends or partners.
I either lie through my teeth or think too highly of myself.
For multidirectional thinkers, rejection, criticism, and ridicule are forms of psychological violence; even trivial harm can lead to Stockholm syndrome. Its symptoms can explain why many multidirectional thinkers habitually guess others' thoughts, try to please others, and completely agree before others have said much, making it impossible for them to oppose anyone. The fear of rejection and abandonment makes multidirectional thinkers easily influenced and thus vulnerable to emotional manipulation.
Only children need unconditional love to help them grow; adults do not need such love, so you no longer need to please everyone.
When your self-worth is rooted in genuine emotions rather than some qualities you possess, you can break free from depression. You do not need to prove your worth; you are beautiful because of your imperfections. Being content with being yourself allows you to recognize yourself.
Chapter Four: Optimizing Brain Function#
Multidirectional thinkers sometimes experience excessive fatigue because they find it difficult to manage the level of their load. If they insist on adding to an already tight schedule, it creates an additional burden. One could say that multidirectional thinkers are like camels: they achieve optimal efficiency when carrying 100 kilograms and can run with their heads held high; but if they add just one more kilogram, they will suddenly collapse. Be cautious of that last kilogram; you need to leave time for unexpected events. If no unexpected events occur, you can use that time for meditation or relaxation exercises, which will help alleviate your fatigue.
No matter what you want to learn, you can learn it, but keep in mind the following two principles:
- If you encounter something you do not understand, it may be that you have complicated a simple issue;
- Learning requires persistence, even if it feels boring at the moment, you must persevere.
Freelancing is the most suitable choice for multidirectional thinkers, as it allows them to express creativity and autonomy. When choosing a career, multidirectional thinkers should consider these two characteristics they need. In the workplace, bosses should learn to recognize multidirectional thinkers and provide opportunities for them to perform at their highest level. In a harmonious atmosphere, the work capabilities of multidirectional thinkers can multiply; they can become small miracles for the company. (Please read these sentences to your boss!) If your job does not provide enough opportunities for creativity, then seek opportunities in your daily life. There are many opportunities to express creativity in life, such as in cooking, painting, sculpting, music, and dance.
Walt Disney believed that for creativity to be effective, it must go through the following three stages:
- A pure dream that has not been strictly examined by others or oneself;
- A more specific and realistic plan;
- Constructive criticism. Opposing opinions should be raised later and should be used to improve the plan, not to destroy it.
To inspire you, I would like to quote a saying from Marcel Pagnol, which is also my motto: "Everyone knows this is impossible, but one day, a fool who doesn't know this did it." I strive every day to be that fool.
Creating art is a pure and selfless act, with the sole purpose of creating pleasure for those who appreciate it. When art presents its best side, it allows people to discover the noble and great parts of humanity. Art can make people feel the deep and intense love within humanity.
We have already discussed emotions in previous chapters. You are someone who needs a lot of love and tenderness in life. You are willing to give and know how to receive. You enjoy living with kind people who share your values and help each other. Therefore, you should be more cautious when establishing intimate relationships; there are others in the world who are just as loving as you need to find.
Multidirectional thinkers sometimes experience excessive fatigue because they find it difficult to manage the level of their load. If they insist on adding to an already tight schedule, it creates an additional burden. One could say that multidirectional thinkers are like camels: they achieve optimal efficiency when carrying 100 kilograms and can run with their heads held high; but if they add just one more kilogram, they will suddenly collapse. Be cautious of that last kilogram; you need to leave time for unexpected events. If no unexpected events occur, you can use that time for meditation or relaxation exercises, which will help alleviate your fatigue.
No matter what you want to learn, you can learn it, but keep in mind the following two principles:
- If you encounter something you do not understand, it may be that you have complicated a simple issue;
- Learning requires persistence, even if it feels boring at the moment, you must persevere.
Freelancing is the most suitable choice for multidirectional thinkers, as it allows them to express creativity and autonomy. When choosing a career, multidirectional thinkers should consider these two characteristics they need. In the workplace, bosses should learn to recognize multidirectional thinkers and provide opportunities for them to perform at their highest level. In a harmonious atmosphere, the work capabilities of multidirectional thinkers can multiply; they can become small miracles for the company. (Please read these sentences to your boss!) If your job does not provide enough opportunities for creativity, then seek opportunities in your daily life. There are many opportunities to express creativity in life, such as in cooking, painting, sculpting, music, and dance.
Walt Disney believed that for creativity to be effective, it must go through the following three stages:
- A pure dream that has not been strictly examined by others or oneself;
- A more specific and realistic plan;
- Constructive criticism. Opposing opinions should be raised later and should be used to improve the plan, not to destroy it.
To inspire you, I would like to quote a saying from Marcel Pagnol, which is also my motto: "Everyone knows this is impossible, but one day, a fool who doesn't know this did it." I strive every day to be that fool.
Creating art is a pure and selfless act, with the sole purpose of creating pleasure for those who appreciate it. When art presents its best side, it allows people to discover the noble and great parts of humanity. Art can make people feel the deep and intense love within humanity.
We have already discussed emotions in previous chapters. You are someone who needs a lot of love and tenderness in life. You are willing to give and know how to receive. You enjoy living with kind people who share your values and help each other. Therefore, you should be more cautious when establishing intimate relationships; there are others in the world who are just as loving as you need to find.
Chapter Five: Harmoniously Coexisting with Yourself and Others, No Longer "Glass-hearted"#
What I want to tell you is: "To choose who to accompany you, you must first have the ability to be alone." You need to learn to cope with the loneliness that arises from being alone. If it is a temporary solitude of your own choosing, it will bring you vitality. Do not forget that you have slowly come to understand and accept yourself; in your own pleasant company, you will never live in the coldest loneliness.
First, do not take criticism as a personal attack. What the critic says reflects more about themselves than about you. The logic here is: the reason for criticizing others' behavior is that I do not allow myself to do so (while some people do so without concern).
However, some criticisms from conventional thinkers can indeed guide your progress. If your understanding of criticism remains at the behavioral level and does not extend to the identity level, then these criticisms have value. You need to learn to view criticism as a response; if you find it meaningful, thank the other person for bringing it up; if you do not agree, simply respond, "That's your opinion." If the "flaw" pointed out by the other person is actually one of the traits possessed by multidirectional thinkers, you should be grateful because they recognized the real you, and then you just need to smile and acknowledge, "Yes, that's right, I am too ××."
However, you may never be able to avoid having malicious people discover your uniqueness. Because your traits make them dislike you, they will incite the whole group to exclude you. If this happens to you, you need to respond correctly.
Do you know the difference between fools and wise people? The difference is that wise people know when to choose the right person to speak to at the right time. Therefore, when you communicate with others, if the other person cannot understand you, do not force them to understand what you want to express; try changing the topic of your conversation!
Once multidirectional thinkers understand the manipulative tactics, they will no longer fall into the trap of being manipulated again; once they break free from the manipulator, they will be reborn. Then, multidirectional thinkers will regain their love for life and rediscover their vitality and brilliance. Generally, they will meet another multidirectional thinker; if the new partner can understand the concept of multidirectional thinking, they will ultimately find happiness in their intimate relationship, becoming a kind, humorous, confident, and vibrant couple. Two kind-hearted people will chat and debate freely together.
To get to know each other, multidirectional thinking men and women need to abandon the clichés that men must be masculine and women must be gentle. Multidirectional thinking women are psychologically more masculine, while multidirectional thinking men are psychologically more feminine. A slightly gentle man and a slightly masculine woman can complement each other perfectly.
What I want to tell you is: "To choose who to accompany you, you must first have the ability to be alone." You need to learn to cope with the loneliness that arises from being alone. If it is a temporary solitude of your own choosing, it will bring you vitality. Do not forget that you have slowly come to understand and accept yourself; in your own pleasant company, you will never live in the coldest loneliness.
First, do not take criticism as a personal attack. What the critic says reflects more about themselves than about you. The logic here is: the reason for criticizing others' behavior is that I do not allow myself to do so (while some people do so without concern).
However, some criticisms from conventional thinkers can indeed guide your progress. If your understanding of criticism remains at the behavioral level and does not extend to the identity level, then these criticisms have value. You need to learn to view criticism as a response; if you find it meaningful, thank the other person for bringing it up; if you do not agree, simply respond, "That's your opinion." If the "flaw" pointed out by the other person is actually one of the traits possessed by multidirectional thinkers, you should be grateful because they recognized the real you, and then you just need to smile and acknowledge, "Yes, that's right, I am too ××."
However, you may never be able to avoid having malicious people discover your uniqueness. Because your traits make them dislike you, they will incite the whole group to exclude you. If this happens to you, you need to respond correctly.
Do you know the difference between fools and wise people? The difference is that wise people know when to choose the right person to speak to at the right time. Therefore, when you communicate with others, if the other person cannot understand you, do not force them to understand what you want to express; try changing the topic of your conversation!
Once multidirectional thinkers understand the manipulative tactics, they will no longer fall into the trap of being manipulated again; once they break free from the manipulator, they will be reborn. Then, multidirectional thinkers will regain their love for life and rediscover their vitality and brilliance. Generally, they will meet another multidirectional thinker; if the new partner can understand the concept of multidirectional thinking, they will ultimately find happiness in their intimate relationship, becoming a kind, humorous, confident, and vibrant couple. Two kind-hearted people will chat and debate freely together.
To get to know each other, multidirectional thinking men and women need to abandon the clichés that men must be masculine and women must be gentle. Multidirectional thinking women are psychologically more masculine, while multidirectional thinking men are psychologically more feminine. A slightly gentle man and a slightly masculine woman can complement each other perfectly.
Postscript#
Throughout history, there have always been some unique individuals—artists, inventors, emotionally rich people… They are all troubled by their mental states. Undoubtedly, Leonardo da Vinci was a multidirectional thinker, while Michelangelo, Newton, Einstein, and Mozart were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. I believe Louis XVI's obsession with locks is also very close to what Asperger referred to as "special interests."
Not all children who are abused or treated "badly" become multidirectional thinkers; I have also encountered multidirectional thinkers from warm families. In this sense, the theory of postnatal adaptation is not comprehensive. I would like to propose a compromise explanation: gifted children often lack a sense of security, possibly because they are more insightful, rational, mature, and adult-like than their parents. They instinctively feel that they surpass their parents intellectually and cannot expect to be understood by them, thus having to enhance their adaptability.
For a father to triangulate the relationship with his child, he needs to do the following:
- Mature and give up his sense of omnipotence;
- Accept the transition of his role from son to father, which also means accepting that he will grow old and be surpassed;
- Fully understand that the mother's role is irreplaceable and accept that he can never replace his wife. The pursuit of perfection stems from the omnipotent fantasy of infancy; many multidirectional thinkers remain stuck in this fantasy in adulthood, even though the perfect world they imagine is far removed from reality. There is a theory that children are generally dominated by the right brain in infancy, and as they grow older, this gradually changes. This may be due to the father's guidance or the education provided by schools or society. Objectively speaking, conventional thinkers, who are dominated by the left brain, are more adaptable than multidirectional thinkers, who are dominated by the right brain.
Throughout history, there have always been some unique individuals—artists, inventors, emotionally rich people… They are all troubled by their mental states. Undoubtedly, Leonardo da Vinci was a multidirectional thinker, while Michelangelo, Newton, Einstein, and Mozart were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. I believe Louis XVI's obsession with locks is also very close to what Asperger referred to as "special interests."
Not all children who are abused or treated "badly" become multidirectional thinkers; I have also encountered multidirectional thinkers from warm families. In this sense, the theory of postnatal adaptation is not comprehensive. I would like to propose a compromise explanation: gifted children often lack a sense of security, possibly because they are more insightful, rational, mature, and adult-like than their parents. They instinctively feel that they surpass their parents intellectually and cannot expect to be understood by them, thus having to enhance their adaptability.
For a father to triangulate the relationship with his child, he needs to do the following:
- Mature and give up his sense of omnipotence;
- Accept the transition of his role from son to father, which also means accepting that he will grow old and be surpassed;
- Fully understand that the mother's role is irreplaceable and accept that he can never replace his wife. The pursuit of perfection stems from the omnipotent fantasy of infancy; many multidirectional thinkers remain stuck in this fantasy in adulthood, even though the perfect world they imagine is far removed from reality. There is a theory that children are generally dominated by the right brain in infancy, and as they grow older, this gradually changes. This may be due to the father's guidance or the education provided by schools or society. Objectively speaking, conventional thinkers, who are dominated by the left brain, are more adaptable than multidirectional thinkers, who are dominated by the right brain.
Chapter Three: An Unstoppable Brain Makes Your Thinking More Active#
They feel that they belong not only to the human family but also to the entire world of life, thus they view life with selflessness and generosity.
Tree-like thinking is particularly effective in finding solutions. Linear thinking is sequential, where people generate ideas consecutively, while tree-like thinking can explore multiple paths simultaneously in parallel. This thought process occurs naturally and unconsciously for multidirectional thinkers; they can quickly propose solutions but cannot explain how those solutions came to mind.
To some extent, this "distrust" is positive. In a constantly moving world, the density of a chair is also relative. Some previously established scientific arguments are often overturned by new discoveries. Therefore, accepting challenges to what you thought was certain is a good way to demonstrate that your thinking is open. Fortunately, there are different perspectives to question those widely accepted beliefs! Knowing how to self-criticize indicates you have a humble attitude; allowing others to think from different angles shows you have a broad mind; confirming the accuracy of information before receiving it is also a sign of caution and maturity. However, everything should be moderate. Too much doubt and too many questions can hinder thinking. If everything in life is unreal, and if everything can be overturned with a thought, you will feel like you are living in an unstable and unsafe world. Those mind-boggling questions may cause you anxiety and pain—why do we live? Why do we die? Why is there so much suffering and absurdity?
The tree-like thinking of multidirectional thinkers makes them eager to explore every possible option for each event, and as their thoughts constantly shuttle between the past and the future, they can make wise and cautious decisions. Before taking action, multidirectional thinkers always analyze each possibility by combining historical lessons and various predictable consequences for the future. Because they understand that they are only a part of social life, they do not consider only themselves when making decisions; they also consider the potential negative impacts on others. Decisions made in this way are friendly because they respect individuals, families, and other interpersonal relationships. Decisions made by multidirectional thinkers are almost impossible to encounter risks of hitting a wall, failure, or having more disadvantages than advantages. Looking back at poor Cassandra, she could predict but was not believed. Many cautious multidirectional thinkers can only watch helplessly as people act thoughtlessly and recklessly; they are like an audience who has already seen the danger on screen, and even saying "be careful" to the protagonists in the movie is futile.
However, life needs to be experienced in the present. After you finish your mental explorations, you still need to learn to focus on the present; some non-present matters can be thought about later! You need to rely on your keen senses to discover beauty, listen to melodies, feel the gentleness of the air, and savor the good life. So please stop, take a deep breath. You are so alive, right here, right now!
Finally, I want to say that it is very important not to let anyone put sand into your millstone, as this will affect its normal operation. Unfortunately, when multidirectional thinkers encounter people with narcissistic personality disorder, this situation arises. Generally speaking, multidirectional thinkers are brave and efficient; they know how to deal with difficult and complex situations. As long as the information they collect is objective and accurate, finding solutions is not a big problem for them. However, manipulators with narcissistic personality disorder will manipulate and distort data; they deceive, lie, and contradict themselves, deliberately making people feel confused. Most multidirectional thinkers are inherently kind and find it hard to imagine the existence of lies, fraud, and malice. Over time, they will increasingly fail to understand the "distorted" situations around them, which may drive them to madness.
In learning courses, many high school students who think multidirectionally find themselves in trouble because they find the course content absurd, disconnected from real life, and lacking meaning. However, sometimes it is enough to place the ongoing learning content within the larger framework of the entire academic year, or for someone to explain how the course content applies to daily life, to restore meaning to their learning. Additionally, the college entrance examination can be introduced to them as a video game: to level up, it is not necessary to overthink why you need to find a sword, a potion, or a ring. The key is that only by obtaining enough points can you enter the next level. Learning is the same. Even if they do not like a certain subject, they can still study and strive to obtain the required scores so they can do other things in the future. The college entrance examination can also be seen as a bridge, with each subject being a sleeper on that bridge. Of course, they should replace those worn-out sleepers to smoothly cross the bridge. The brains of multidirectional thinkers also enjoy accepting challenges. Therefore, viewing learning as a challenge can stimulate their interest in studying.
However, although the brains of multidirectional thinkers can operate at high speed, they often lack endurance and perseverance. While no one is perfect, multidirectional thinkers indeed need to invest more time and energy in cultivating endurance and perseverance.
I am not flawed; I am just different. I will not sacrifice my dignity for the acceptance of others. I am a good person, an interesting person. I am proud of myself. I can handle social situations. When needed, I will seek help. I deserve respect and acceptance from others. I will find a career that suits my talents and interests. When others need time to understand me, I will patiently wait. I will never deny myself. I will accept my true self.
Daniel Tammet's view: "What matters is not the size of your brain, but the greatness of your soul."
Chapter Two: Organizing the Warehouse of Information and Ideas#
The transmission and sharing of information is one of the values recognized by multidirectional thinkers, making them cooperative, loyal, and frank individuals. The power games formed by information blockade infuriate multidirectional thinkers. They eagerly anticipate the day they will meet a universal mentor who can satisfy their thirst for knowledge in all fields.
The ability to continue learning from each other, self-develop, and impart knowledge is crucial. Since you love learning, do not give up, but do not expect your role models to exceed your ability to meet your requirements.
A person who practices what they preach has actions consistent with their values, demonstrating an extraordinary inner strength. This level of consistency is very rare. In contrast, the words and actions of manipulators contradict the values they profess, and it may take us many years to realize how absurd their behavior is, as their rhetoric is so convincing. Between these two extremes, we encounter more individuals who are kind-hearted but unclear about their values and do not check whether they practice what they preach.
This level is very attractive to multidirectional thinkers. They care about the whole world, about the past and future that extend beyond their own life experiences. The thinking system of multidirectional thinkers is filled with spirituality, and they can feel that they carry a mission. Therefore, multidirectional thinkers must not ignore their keen perceptions; they should value their inner feelings and build their spiritual treasure trove!
In previous chapters, we discussed how your black-and-white values are linked to a complex set of behavioral guidelines: if we... (values), then we must... (behavior). For example, if we are friends, we must always be there for each other. For you, every behavior is necessarily linked to a certain value. But these are personal logical chains that may not apply to others. In your view, someone who does not call you is conveying some information. In this regard, you are very easily confused and presumptive, deducing an entire "plot" from a simple behavior. Stop "filming movies"; try to create positive logical chains instead!
For conventional thinkers, behavior is just an unimportant detail that proves nothing; for multidirectional thinkers, who place more importance on stance and outcomes, the details in behavior represent the information the other party wants to convey, as well as their values. When conventional thinkers and multidirectional thinkers argue due to their different understandings, the arguments of multidirectional thinkers often revolve around these details. Additionally, another reason that complicates the lives of multidirectional thinkers is that they almost attribute everything to the identity level. An old sweater worn at a concert has life, identity, and even a soul. "If something enters my life, it becomes a part of me. How can I throw it away in this case?" Therefore, multidirectional thinkers find it difficult to keep their lives orderly. They need to learn to consider things from the environmental level and categorize in interpersonal relationships. If the other person's values are completely different from yours, why persist in interacting with them? You will only have continuous conflicts. The logic of conventional thinkers often only stays at the environmental and behavioral levels; I hope they can climb a little higher up the logical hierarchy pyramid so they can better understand their values. In contrast, the logic of multidirectional thinkers often stays at the higher levels of the logical hierarchy pyramid; they enjoy engaging in abstract ideological debates while forgetting to return to concrete reality. Many multidirectional thinkers indulge in imagination without taking action because they fear failure (if I mess up, then I am worthless!). Logical hierarchy helps them view failure dialectically. In fact, failure is a valuable learning opportunity; what matters is to take bold action.
The transmission and sharing of information is one of the values recognized by multidirectional thinkers, making them cooperative, loyal, and frank individuals. The power games formed by information blockade infuriate multidirectional thinkers. They eagerly anticipate the day they will meet a universal mentor who can satisfy their thirst for knowledge in all fields.
The ability to continue learning from each other, self-develop, and impart knowledge is crucial. Since you love learning, do not give up, but do not expect your role models to exceed your ability to meet your requirements.
A person who practices what they preach has actions consistent with their values, demonstrating an extraordinary inner strength. This level of consistency is very rare. In contrast, the words and actions of manipulators contradict the values they profess, and it may take us many years to realize how absurd their behavior is, as their rhetoric is so convincing. Between these two extremes, we encounter more individuals who are kind-hearted but unclear about their values and do not check whether they practice what they preach.
This level is very attractive to multidirectional thinkers. They care about the whole world, about the past and future that extend beyond their own life experiences. The thinking system of multidirectional thinkers is filled with spirituality, and they can feel that they carry a mission. Therefore, multidirectional thinkers must not ignore their keen perceptions; they should value their inner feelings and build their spiritual treasure trove!
In previous chapters, we discussed how your black-and-white values are linked to a complex set of behavioral guidelines: if we... (values), then we must... (behavior). For example, if we are friends, we must always be there for each other. For you, every behavior is necessarily linked to a certain value. But these are personal logical chains that may not apply to others. In your view, someone who does not call you is conveying some information. In this regard, you are very easily confused and presumptive, deducing an entire "plot" from a simple behavior. Stop "filming movies"; try to create positive logical chains instead!
For conventional thinkers, behavior is just an unimportant detail that proves nothing; for multidirectional thinkers, who place more importance on stance and outcomes, the details in behavior represent the information the other party wants to convey, as well as their values. When conventional thinkers and multidirectional thinkers argue due to their different understandings, the arguments of multidirectional thinkers often revolve around these details. Additionally, another reason that complicates the lives of multidirectional thinkers is that they almost attribute everything to the identity level. An old sweater worn at a concert has life, identity, and even a soul. "If something enters my life, it becomes a part of me. How can I throw it away in this case?" Therefore, multidirectional thinkers find it difficult to keep their lives orderly. They need to learn to consider things from the environmental level and categorize in interpersonal relationships. If the other person's values are completely different from yours, why persist in interacting with them? You will only have continuous conflicts. The logic of conventional thinkers often only stays at the environmental and behavioral levels; I hope they can climb a little higher up the logical hierarchy pyramid so they can better understand their values. In contrast, the logic of multidirectional thinkers often stays at the higher levels of the logical hierarchy pyramid; they enjoy engaging in abstract ideological debates while forgetting to return to concrete reality. Many multidirectional thinkers indulge in imagination without taking action because they fear failure (if I mess up, then I am worthless!). Logical hierarchy helps them view failure dialectically. In fact, failure is a valuable learning opportunity; what matters is to take bold action.
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