Smarter thinking in everyday life

Understanding your own cognitive function can make you better equipped to navigate daily challenges

Understanding how your brain works – understanding your own cognitive function - can make you better equipped to navigate daily challenges.

The insights in this guide reveal many of the hidden biases, patterns, and tendencies shaping your thoughts, decisions, and interactions with others.

Recognising these mental shortcuts and cognitive tendencies allows you to think more clearly, make better decisions, and better align your actions with your goals.

Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

These ideas aren’t just theoretical—they’re actionable. Whether you’re managing your time, resolving conflicts, or pursuing long-term goals, these principles offer simple, practical strategies to improve your daily life.

From reframing losses to breaking bad habits, they provide tools to work with your brain’s natural inclinations, not against them. Embrace these insights, and you’ll find yourself thinking sharper, acting wiser, and making choices that truly enhance your life.

These principles empower you to overcome biases, think critically, and approach challenges with clarity and confidence. They’re not just abstract theories—they’re practical tools you can use every day to build better habits, strengthen relationships, and make smarter choices.

The more you apply these insights, the more they become second nature.

Small changes in how you think and act can lead to significant improvements in your life. With this knowledge, you’re not just reacting to the world—you’re shaping it to work in your favour. Stay curious, stay reflective, and keep growing smarter every day.

I’ve provided some everyday examples as well.

There’s a link to a downloadable PDF at bottom as well (approx. 1500 words), along with some further reading.

Topics

1. Decision-Making Biases and Cognitive Errors

2. Behavioural Patterns and Habits

3. Social and Evolutionary Insights

4. Cognitive Shortcuts and Memory

5. Metacognition and Self-Reflection

6. Perceptual and Emotional Influences

Previous BrainPizza pieces

• Optimistic prospects for a democratic resurgence: drawing on some ideas from neuroscience and psychology

• Pessimistic prospects for a democratic resurgence: Our tech overlords weaponising neuroscience and psychology against us

Decision-Making Biases and Cognitive Errors

• Sunk Cost Fallacy