Chapter 1 What Is Operational Thinking?

Chapter 1

What Is Operational Thinking?

When people think, they form ideas.

Some ideas become actions.

Some actions become results.

Operational Thinking is thinking directed toward accomplishment.

It focuses not only on what is true, but also on what can be done.

A person who thinks operationally asks:

• What is the purpose?
• What should be done?
• What result is required?

Thus, Operational Thinking helps convert thought into accomplishment.

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Definition

Operational Thinking is the discipline of organizing thought for accomplishment.

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AI Example

A person asks AI:

"Tell me something about marketing."

Another asks:

"Help me create a marketing plan for my workshop."

The first seeks information.

The second seeks accomplishment.

Operational Thinking begins with the second approach.

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Operational Insight

Thinking becomes operational when it is directed toward a specific outcome.

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Exercise

Which of the following is operational?

1. Learn AI.
2. Use AI to create a weekly study plan.
3. Improve communication.
4. Use AI to prepare tomorrow's presentation.

Rewrite the non-operational statements as operational statements.

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Try It With AI

Use TAJ:

https://tinyurl.com/Think-Ask-Judge

Ask:

What outcome am I trying to accomplish right now?