Let Me Think?

When was the last time that we really think? I mean really think and solve a problem. While tutoring today, a student uttered these words.... However, actually instead of thinking, he was actually pondering. Most students do not think and when they are faced with a problem, they just ponder. Well, pondering is trying to figure out what kind of problems that we have instead of thinking of ways to solve the problem. and by the time they figure out what problem it is, they forgot about the thinking part i.e. thinking of how to solve the problem
Actually, the problem lies with the education system that teaches not to think but to follow. You follow a certain way or direction, definitely it will lead to a solution. Is that solving a problem. No, it is like brushing your teeth, you do it often enough, you can do it with your eyes closed or even lying down, or even like what my brother used to do, lie down and sleep and when he wakes up, just continue to brush.
While most line jobs involve just following a certain way or direction like clerical, production or construction work and you can even make quite a good living by following the same script like in insurance. A lot of insurance agents follow the same script and doing it well, they earn quite a decent living.
I just read a book 'The Watson's Dynasty', the story of Thomas J Watson Sr who founded one of the most successful organisation in the world. The company grew by having the best training for its sales staff i.e. training to follow a certain set rules and direction in their sales effort which proves to be one of the success of the company. However, Thomas J Watson have the word "THINK" plastered all over IBM's HQ. It invokes his staff to think and solve problems, 'Plan Ahead', 'Scheme". We are not going into a logic explanation of how or why "THINK" is plastered all over the HQ, but what comes after which is a successful company. Maybe, we should follow and plaster the word "THINK" in all our school and it will bring about a thinking society.
Coming back to thinking, before we start to think, we must know what the problem is and draw on our experience and knowledge to figure out what the most suitable solution individually or as a group. So the next time you start to think, be careful and think if your are really thinking or just pondering!!