“The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” - Albert Einstein

Hey Niki,

Here are your weekly Mindset insights, observations, lessons, and resources to help you create your best life! 

Please feel free to forward this along to any friends or colleagues.

What's On My Mind

Beware of the Logical Fallacy

Have you ever heard an argument or a statement that was presented as fact, that just didn't ring true?

Perhaps the statement seemed to jump to a wild conclusion, or the argument being presented was based on evidence that couldn't easily be validated or was out of context.

These kinds of statements are often referred to as Logical Fallacies. Essentially, an argument that is built on flawed reasoning, and that – when you apply logic – is discovered to be false.

Logical fallacies can be persuasive, and are often used in rhetoric to encourage people to think a certain way or believe certain things. This is why we need to be careful and question the things we hear that don't quite "ring true."

Here is brief run down of a few:

Appeals to Authority: This is where you rely on an "expert" source to form the basis of your argument…and even  if the research is genuine it may be misquoted, misunderstood, taken out of context to support the argument. 

False Inductions: A false induction is often called a "non sequitur," which translates from Latin to "it does not follow." This fallacy gets you to infer a causal relationship where none is evident.

The Bandwagon: Here, you are led to believe in an idea or proposition simply because it's popular or has lots of support.

The Slippery Slope: The slippery slope argument relies on making you think that the worst that can happen will actually happen. 

The Straw Man: The straw man fallacy involves creating a false argument and then refuting it. The counterargument is then believed to be true.

Observational Selection:  you draw attention to the positive aspects of an idea and ignore the negatives thus being one sided, biased, and incomplete. 

The False Dichotomy:  a misdirect by providing only two choices both an "either-or" argument: you provide only two options and force people to choose between them.  Neither choice may be the best. 

The ability to discern a valid argument from a false one is an important skill. It's a key aspect of critical thinking as  false conclusions might cause you to make decisions that you later regret and much more. 

On My Nightstand 

Ask Yourself

Who Am I becoming? 

Often when looking at making changes in our personal or professional lives we only focus on getting clear on the goals and our vision for what we want to achieve. 

However, we fail to understand that we must also change. For our current limiting beliefs, fixed mindset, behaviors or simply not knowing what we don’t know will hold us back. 

That’s why looking for others who have already achieved what you want and then identifying those character traits, beliefs, habits, mindset and skills they have that you may not is critical. 

For now you will know what to adopt and learn  in order to become that person who is now able to deliver on your dreams. That next best 2.0 version of yourself.

Did You Know?

80% of brain gray matter is modifiable by physical activity alone.

Meaning, according to the Mayo clinic, cardiorespiratory exercise improves gray matter volume in areas of the brain associated with age-related cognitive decline.

The findings add weight to the previous studies which link physical activity to neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline.

Just another example of the interconnectedness between mind and body. 

Quote that Struck Me

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks."

- Christopher Hitchens

As always, I welcome your feedback. Which section above was your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know.

Have an amazing week! 

Think Well!

Luke

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