People who think clearly and act wisely do these things regularly

Are you a clear thinker who makes wise choices?

A person with long blonde hair is wearing large, round glasses and a dark scarf, smiling slightly while leaning against a green panel wall in bright sunlight.

If you look at the people around you, you’ll probably notice that some of them think more clearly and act more wisely than others. These individuals aren’t immune to mistakes or missteps, but they make good choices more often than not. And it’s all because they put these things into practice.

1. They remain sober and consume healthy things.

A man in a light gray t-shirt sits at a kitchen counter, drinking a glass of water. On the counter, there's a laptop, a cup of coffee, and a fruit bowl with oranges and apples. The background has kitchen cabinets and a green plant.

One cannot think clearly if they’re intoxicated, either with inebriating substances or foods that make them hyper or sluggish. Clear thinkers avoid (or seriously limit) drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy social media exposure, choosing good nutrition, hydration, and good media instead. Their minds are clear pools rather than murky and full of static.

2. They immerse deeply in a subject instead of reacting shallowly.

A man with gray hair and glasses wearing a denim shirt is reading a book in a kitchen. He is leaning on a wooden table with a cup beside him. Sunlight is streaming through a window in the background.

Instead of a knee-jerk (and often ignorant) response to a situation or subject, they’ll immerse themselves in that subject matter in order to get a greater perspective on it. Only then will they be in a position to make their own judgment and respond well because they know what they’re talking about.

3. They’re analytical rather than emotional.

A woman with long dark hair sits at a desk in an office, looking thoughtfully to the side. She is wearing a white blouse and has her hands clasped under her chin. In front of her, there's an open laptop. The background is modern with wooden elements and plants.

Feelings aren’t facts, and those who think clearly and act wisely are fully aware of this. They don’t allow their emotions to cloud their judgment, but instead work with the reality of the details in front of them—even if that makes them uncomfortable or goes against what they’d prefer to believe.

4. They’re responsive—not reactive.

An elderly man with a beard, wearing a checkered shirt and blue pants, sits pensively on a blue bench in a sunlit park, surrounded by green trees. His hands cover his mouth, suggesting deep thought or concern.

Those who act wisely know how important it is to carefully consider every aspect of a situation before responding to it calmly and rationally. As a result, they take time to mull over other people’s words and actions, and therefore can be more authentic and rational in their own responses.

5. They examine motivation and intention, not just the repercussions thereof.

Two women are sitting outside a building. The woman on the left is blurred and facing away, wearing a dark top. The woman on the right is in focus, wearing a striped shirt, and holding a cup, looking thoughtfully at the other woman. The background shows a city street.

It’s easy to be hurt or offended by another’s actions, but understanding the motivations behind them can go a long way toward dispelling those feelings for the sake of greater clarity. As such, they follow the ripples back to their source and seek to discover why the stone was thrown to begin with.

6. They don’t take things personally.

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How a person behaves toward others is a reflection of what’s going on inside them: it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with themselves. When you come to realize this, you’ll be able to stop taking things personally or getting offended by other people’s poor behaviors.

7. They don’t take things at face value.

A man with short brown hair, wearing a checkered shirt and a dark apron, stands thoughtfully by a window with his hand on his chin. He appears to be deep in thought, gazing outside as sunlight streams in through the window.

Just because someone passes along a nugget of information, doesn’t mean that it’s true. Wise people make a point of finding out information for themselves rather than relying on hearsay, gossip, or propaganda to influence them. The truth is out there, and they’ll seek it to the best of their ability.

8. They assess situations from an individual, contextual standpoint rather than relying on pattern recognition.

Two women are sitting outdoors at a table, engaged in conversation. One has blonde hair and is seen from the back. The other has dark hair with bangs, red lipstick, and is stirring a drink, looking attentively at the blonde woman. The background is blurred with greenery.

It’s natural to form biases based on association, such as hating anyone who wears orange because you were beaten up by a bully in an orange vest when you were a kid. Clear thinkers recognize things in an individual context rather than allowing their judgment to be influenced by past negative experiences.

9. They consider the long-term ramifications of any potential action before taking it.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a beige and pink sleeveless top is sitting at a table. She is resting her chin on her hand and gazing thoughtfully to the side. The background features indoor plants and a softly lit, modern interior.

Those who act wisely take into account what the long-term effects might be of the actions they take. This allows them to weigh the pros and cons of every potential path that can be taken, and determine which one is the most beneficial for everyone involved.

10. Whatever they do, they’re usually prepared.

A bearded man with styled hair stands confidently, gazing off into the distance. He wears a gray checkered suit over a chunky rust-colored turtleneck sweater. The setting appears to be a modern room with artistic wall decor and circular ceiling lights.

Be it materially (tools/supplies), or knowledge, knowhow, or emotion, they’ll prepare for any situation that may unfold. If they’re going out to chop wood, they’ll bring the right tools, water, food, and so on. Similarly, if they’re going to an event with people they know might wind them up, they’ll arrive with their best peace-seeking hat on.

11. They don’t allow their thinking to be clouded by others’ strong opinions.

Two men are sitting in an office. The man on the left, wearing a blue shirt, is looking down while the man on the right, in a white shirt, is smiling, holding a smartphone. The background is blurred, with light coming from overhead lamps and a computer screen visible.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that doesn’t mean they have the right to try to force it onto others. Wise, clear thinkers have formed their own opinions based on research and reason, and aren’t going to question their own judgment simply because someone else feels strongly to the contrary.

12. They get as much information as possible before taking any action.

A woman in a black athletic outfit sits on a rock, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. She appears to be in a natural outdoor setting with greenery and trees in the background. She has her hair tied back in a bun and is wearing black running shoes.

Or in simpler terms, they look before they leap. For example, a rock climber in the southwestern USA knows how important it is to check potential hand holds for rattlesnakes or scorpions before reaching into them. It’s great to be brave, but be sure to balance courage with wisdom and clear thinking.