Chapter 13
Superpower Foundation: Other Mental Skills
Transformation
Before you read
Kevin poses these at the start of the chapter, deliberately before his own argument. Answer them first if you can.
- 1
In what ways do you think about your own thinking and thought process, if you ever have?
- 2
What biases might you have of which you’re unaware?
- 3
In what ways might your biases show up in your daily activities and choices?
What the chapter says
Kevin’s own distillation, in his words — not a summary written for him.
Metacognition is thinking about thinking; it’s the ability to analyze our own thoughts, emotions, reactions, and feelings.
Metacognition is not meant to replace input and feedback from others.
Biases are hard-wired into our brains, are nearly impossible to change, and cannot be simply ignored.
Biases are formed through exposure over time or following a relevant emotional event.
Once formed, biases are reinforced through the feeling-thinking brain dynamic.
To live our best lives and build strong communities, we must mitigate the effects of harmful biases we hold.
Reps and sets build strength and endurance of our mental skills.
Like Chapter Twelve, this chapter doesn’t include the usual reflective questions. Instead, repeat the critical thinking values exercise from Chapter Twelve but now applying and practicing the skills you learned in Chapter Thirteen.