The One Mental Skill That Will Make You Wiser in 2026

JFK once noted, "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thinking." Stated differently, how you think is usually more important than what you think. 

I try to remind myself often: What I think, what I say, what I do, is always based upon what I know. And, what I know might be wrong. The same goes for everyone else. 

The one mental skill that makes you smarter & wiser: discernment. 

I was giving a presentation and someone asked me, "How would you describe yourself in one phrase?". Good question. Never been asked this before. 300 people staring at me. I took a few moments and said, "An optimistic, happy, sceptic." Truth and reality are important. I question everything. Including me. I'm sceptical, not cynical, not negative.  

We live in a world where it seems every institution (and person) has a narrative to to shove at you. The bombardment is relentless. And frankly, a lot of it is codswallup.

Living on Autopilot Without Even Realising It →

In 2026, honing and maintaining critical thinking skills is a survival tool. Critical thinking leads to discernment, and this keeps you safer. Discernment and critical thinking are essential. They serve as primary defences against information overload, misinformation, and AI-agenda driven content. These skills enable you to navigate complex and personal landscapes by distinguishing truth and reality from falsity and deception. This can prevent poor decision-making and protect your mental, health, and financial well-being. 

Good news, and not. The not? Critical thinking and discernment are a lot of work. They require a relentless commitment to life-long learning. Acquiring broad knowledge is key. The good news? You're reading this, so you are already a critical thinker. Keep it up. Work at it every day:

• Learn to notice underlying assumptions.
• Postpone judgement.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Seek people who think differently.
• Distinguish opinion from fact.
• Go to original source material.
• Study logic. 
• Read widely.
• Don't just look, see.
• Don't just listen, hear.
• Be willing to change.
• Maintain humility.
• Manage your emotional reactivity. 
• Release your tension.
• Lean into patience with others.
• Have a growth mindset. 

The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks. Don't outsource your thinking. Stay grounded, safe and happy. 

Thanks for reading. You are a genius! (Remember, genius is the art of non-habitual thinking.)

This article was first published in Terry Small's Brain Bulletin newsletter.