DEFINITION:

An analytical mindset uses the ability to visualize solutions to problems and think through all the possible ways you can solve the problem with the information you have.

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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

1. What is the problem?

2. What are the various ways I can solve this problem?

3. Why is this a problem?

4. How can I solve this problem the most efficient way possible?

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REFLECTION:

I am a detail oriented person, and I think through every possible scenario before making decisions. An analytical decision maker takes their time, researches, and might make a list of pros and cons before deciding anything. One time in particular where I used an analytical mindset was when I was in middle school, and my parents made me research which cell phone was the best investment and why. This was a time before iPhones, where flip phones and slide out keyboards were all the rage and coveted by almost every teenage girl. As part of my parents’ plan to buy me my first cell phone, I was required to research the phone I wanted and make a list of pros and cons to explain to my parents why they should invest in it. While researching, I took into consideration customer reviews, durability, features, and of course, coolness factor. I ultimately decided on a pink Motorola Razor and made my case to my parents by presenting a PowerPoint slideshow, so I could display all the reasons why a Motorola Razor was the best choice. I was able to visualize what I wanted and research all possible choices in order to articulate to my parents why the Motorola Razor was the best phone for me. Since then, I have utilized an analytical mindset to think through all the possible solutions to my problems before making a final decision.