The Art of Thinking Clearly (Book Review)

A reflective book review session, featuring "The Art of Thinking Clearly".

Book Review – The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli

A sharp, eye-opening read that unpacks the everyday biases shaping our decisions — often without us realizing it.

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💫 Don’t accept free drinks - 

Humans have a strong, often subconscious urge to reciprocate favors — even when they didn’t ask for them. When someone gives you something “free” (a drink, a gift, a sample, a favor), you feel an internal pressure to return the gesture, often by saying yes to something you might otherwise decline. When you accept a free drink, you’re no longer making a purely rational decision; your judgment becomes clouded by the need to “repay” the favor. If you truly want to make clear, unbiased decisions, politely decline “free” offers — or accept them only when you can separate gratitude from obligation.

💫 You control less than you think -

Humans have a deep psychological need to feel in control — even when outcomes are largely determined by chance. This leads us to overestimate our influence on events and underestimate the role of luck, randomness, and external factors. We often believe our decisions, skills, or efforts directly shape results — but in reality, much of life is governed by unpredictable variables. This false sense of control comforts us but distorts reality, leading to overconfidence and poor decision-making. Accept that randomness plays a massive part in life. Focus on process over outcome — you can control preparation and decision quality, not results. The wisest mindset: do your best, but stay humble about what’s beyond your reach.

💫 Why you are either the solution or the problem-

We instinctively take credit for success — and blame circumstances or others for failure. This self-serving bias protects our ego but prevents honest reflection and personal growth. This mental trick shields us from guilt and low self-esteem but also stops us from learning from mistakes. On a larger scale, this bias poisons teamwork and relationships — everyone sees themselves as the “solution” and others as the “problem.” The truth is, most outcomes are shared — success and failure rarely belong to one person alone. Be radically honest about your own role — in both wins and losses. Replace blame with curiosity: “What could I have done differently?” True maturity begins when you recognize that you can be part of the problem — and therefore part of the solution.

💫 If you have nothing to say, say nothing - 

Rolf Dobelli argues that silence, restraint, and selective focus lead to more accurate reasoning than constant chatter and unnecessary data. Learn to distinguish useful information from feel-good or habitual information. If something doesn’t help you decide or act better, it’s irrelevant — skip it. In communication, don’t speak to fill space. In decision-making, don’t collect data to avoid discomfort. The smartest move sometimes is simple: stay quiet, stay focused, and avoid the noise.

💫 Build your own castle - 

We often measure our success, happiness, and progress by comparing ourselves with others — a habit that leads to dissatisfaction, envy, and poor decisions. Dobelli’s message:

Stop building your life on comparisons. Build your own “castle”—your own standards, values, and definitions of success. Humans have a natural tendency to compare — income, lifestyle, achievements, possessions, even happiness. But comparison is a losing game:

• There will always be someone richer, smarter, luckier, or ahead in life.

• The moment you chase someone else’s benchmark, you lose control of your own path.

Define your own standards: What success looks like for you, not for anyone else. Stop measuring sideways: Comparison clouds decisions and steals joy. Strengthen your inner scorecard: Build a life based on clarity, purpose, and self-chosen values.

When you build your own castle, you stop competing — and start living.