ReverseTHINKing in Practice

Real-Life Exercises to Break Automatism and Ignite Conscious Thinking

Image created by ChatGPT: click image to enlarge, please.

Are you ready to supercharge your productivity, creativity, and problem-solving skills? Meet ChatGPT—the AI tool that’s changing how we work, learn, and innovate. Best of all, you can access it for free right from your Windows desktop!

In this tutorial series, I’ll guide you step-by-step through everything you need to know about ChatGPT: how to set it up, ask the right questions, and leverage its potential for blogging, learning, and beyond. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a tech-savvy pro, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s dive in and discover how AI can make your life easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun!

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🧭 Introduction: Real-Life Exercises to Break Automatism and Ignite Conscious Thinking

In already several published tutorials, we’ve discussed the concepts of #ReverseTHINKing, #ProactiveTHINKing, and #CriticalTHINKing, which all work best in synergy. These tools are essential for breaking free from automated ways of thinking and embracing a more independent, conscious, and socially responsible mindset.

Now, in this and upcoming tutorials, we will move beyond theory. It’s time to explore #PracTICE — to see how these concepts can be used in everyday life. I will provide you with concrete examples, structured in a way that you can adapt to your own context. The goal is to guide you step-by-step toward applying #ReverseTHINKing effectively — to recognize mental automatisms, deconstruct them, and replace them with critical, constructive alternatives.

Let’s dive into some practical cases.

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🧠 Example 1 — Seniors and Technology: Reversing Ageist Bias

Automatism:
“Old people don’t understand technology.”

#ReverseTHINKing Prompt:
– Why do I think this?
– Have I ever seen counter-examples?
– Where did I learn to associate age with digital incompetence?

Reality Check:
Many seniors are active online, use smartphones, tablets, and social media — and some even teach others digital literacy. A perfect example: the creator of these tutorials is 70 years young, has been online since 1998, and was already using personal computers and programming in BASIC back in the early 1980s. A lifelong learner, he continues to pioneer in the field of computing and education.

👉 The problem is not about age or capacity, but rather society’s assumptions, stereotypes, and a lack of patience or inclusive thinking.

Reversed Insight:
Age ≠ incompetence. Digital skills are learnable, and intergenerational collaboration can bring mutual respect and enrichment. #ReverseTHINKing helps break this bias and foster a society where everyone has value — and something to teach.

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📱 Example 2 — AI as an Infallible Source

Automatism:
“If AI says it, it must be true.”

#ReverseTHINKing Prompt:
– Who designed this AI?
– What data was it trained on?
– Can it be wrong or biased?

Reality Check:
AI systems are created by humans and reflect human biases, gaps in data, or cultural assumptions. Even the most advanced AI can make mistakes, hallucinate, or reinforce stereotypes if not questioned.

Reversed Insight:
Treat AI as a tool, not a final authority. Verify information, maintain human judgment, and always engage with a sense of digital responsibility. #CriticalTHINKing and #ReverseTHINKing are essential in the AI age.

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🎓 Example 3 — “School Is Just for Getting Good Grades”

Automatism:
“If I get good grades, that’s enough.”

#ReverseTHINKing Prompt:
– What is the real purpose of education?
– What am I learning beyond the grades?
– Am I just memorizing, or actually understanding and growing?

Reality Check:
Grades are a measurement tool, not a life goal. Education should foster thinking, creativity, responsibility, and collaboration — skills you’ll use far beyond any exam.

Reversed Insight:
Shift from passive, grade-oriented learning to active, purpose-driven learning. Learn for life, not just for the report card. Education is a training ground for responsible citizenship, not a race for numbers.

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🗳️ Example 4 — “Democracy Protects Itself”

Automatism:
“It’s not my job — others will defend democracy.”

#ReverseTHINKing Prompt:
– If everyone waits, who actually takes action?
– Am I informed about current events?
– Do I speak up when it matters?

Reality Check:
History has shown that passive societies are vulnerable to manipulation, extremism, and the erosion of rights. Democracy needs participation, not silence.

Reversed Insight:
Every citizen has a role to play. Defending democracy means engaging in debates, voting responsibly, being informed, and standing up when basic rights or values are threatened. Democracy is a daily action, not a passive condition.

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🧩 From Theory to Transformation

The four examples above are not just situations — they are entry points to re-educate our reflexes. Practicing #ReverseTHINKing is about identifying where our thoughts run on autopilot and taking the time to question them, analyze them, and choose a more responsible and thoughtful alternative.

To help you apply this daily, here’s a quick #ReverseTHINKing Worksheet you can use anytime:

🔄 Mini Worksheet — Your #ReverseTHINKing Tool

1. Identify an Automatism:
   What idea, reaction, or assumption are you making without reflection?
2. Ask Questions:
   – Why do I believe this?
   – Who or what taught me this?
   – Is there an alternative view or experience?
3. Reality Check:
   – What evidence challenges this belief?
   – What are the real-life consequences of this thinking?
4. Reversed Insight:
   – What would a more conscious, critical, or empathetic perspective look like?
   – How can I act differently next time?

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🧭 Final Thoughts

#ReverseTHINKing is not about being contrarian for the sake of it. It’s about building a mindset that questions before reacting, that listens before judging, and that acts with awareness rather than routine.

In an increasingly complex world, these thinking tools are more than useful — they are necessary for coexistence, democratic resilience, and personal growth.

Stay curious, stay critical, and remember:

❝ Automatisms are the comfort zones of the mind. #ReverseTHINKing is the doorway out. ❞

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✅ Conclusion

Well, now you have some #PracTICE examples that clearly show how you can bring #ReverseTHINKing into action. As you can see, it’s not difficult at all — it’s simply a matter of developing the habit of questioning, reflecting, and shifting perspective, whether in the classroom or in everyday life.

The key is consistency: practice it until it becomes second nature. Encourage your students, colleagues, or community to do the same — by integrating these thinking exercises into discussions, activities, and real-world observations.

And of course, don’t forget to use tools like #AI — especially #ChatGPT — to support you with insightful ideas, timelines, rubrics, worksheets, and much more. It’s not about replacing human thought, but enhancing it with intelligent assistance that opens new doors for critical, creative, and proactive learning.

Wishing you a meaningful, joyful, and continuously evolving #ReverseTHINKing journey!
Keep learning, keep questioning — and never stop growing. 😊

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Here you will find an example of using ChatGPT for #ProblemSolving #ReverseTHINKing is a Method for #ProblemSolving TOO!, where ChatGPT helped generate detailed #Rubrics based on my criteria for me and where you will find useful insights and TIPS as well.

A small reminder:
👉  #ReverseTHINKing — Learning to Unlearn in Order to Rebuild Better

Understanding Is Becoming More Difficult When the Basics Haven’t Been Learned…

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🔍 And You?
When did you stop questioning what’s presented as ‘obvious’?
Maybe it’s time to relearn how to think — before someone else does it for you.

Because #ReverseTHINKing is no longer optional. It’s essential for regaining control over our attention, our choices, and our digital autonomy.

🧠 Let’s switch the filter between our ears back ON and give those grey cells a real workout. 😉

In the future, I will probably create new tutorials step by step on the HowTo work with ChatGPT, the #PracTICE — stay tuned 😉

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A Small Reminder 👉 #ReverseTHINKing — Learning to Unlearn in Order to Rebuild Better

Understanding Is Becoming More Difficult When the Basics Haven’t Been Learned…

And you — when did you stop questioning what is presented to you as “obvious”?
Is it time to relearn how to think… before someone else does it for you?

#ReverseTHINKing then becomes essential for regaining control over our attention, our choices, and our digital autonomy.
To understand #ReverseTHINKing further, please also read:
👉 ReverseTHINKing: A Necessity for Rethinking Our Place in a Changing Society?
👉 More to explore: https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=liberalism and https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=lib%C3%A9ralisme

🧠 A Final Call:

What if we reactivated the filter between our two ears — also known as the “brain” — to get those grey cells moving again? 😉

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Related links, tutorials:

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/30/the-synthesizing-mind-in-education-tackling-the-challenges-of-a-changing-world/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/a-modern-ethical-framework-for-a-changing-world-rebuilding-lost-wisdom-and-knowledge/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/chatgpt-free-for-windows-desktop-users-part-73/

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Check ALSO my Curation and EDU-related articles on my Blog

• https://www.scoop.it/topic/21st-century-learning-and-teaching?tag=AI
• https://www.scoop.it/topic/21st-century-innovative-technologies-and-developments?tag=AI

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Check ALSO:

ChatGPT FREE for Windows Desktop users, Part 38

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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet  ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).. The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).

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#ReverseTHINKing is a Method for #ProblemSolving TOO!

Image created by ChatGPT: click image to enlarge, please.

Are you ready to supercharge your productivity, creativity, and problem-solving skills? Meet ChatGPT—the AI tool that’s changing how we work, learn, and innovate. Best of all, you can access it for free right from your Windows desktop!

In this tutorial series, I’ll guide you step-by-step through everything you need to know about ChatGPT: how to set it up, ask the right questions, and leverage its potential for blogging, learning, and beyond. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a tech-savvy pro, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s dive in and discover how AI can make your life easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun!

---

🧭 Introduction: ReverseTHINKing is a Method for #ProblemSolving TOO!

When a problem arises, most people rush to fix it based on what they see on the surface — the immediate effects, the visible symptoms. But this is the wrong way of thinking! Too often, we try to patch the consequences rather than understanding the cause of the issue. True #ProblemSolving demands a shift in mindset. It requires us to go back — to retrace our steps — and investigate where the problem really began.

This is exactly where #ReverseTHINKing comes into play.

#ReverseTHINKing encourages us to look backward in order to move forward more wisely. It invites us to question:
“What caused this problem in the first place?”
“What patterns did we miss or ignore?”
“What decisions led us here — and how can we rethink them with our newly acquired insights?”

It’s about re-analyzing the situation with fresh knowledge, evaluating how it was previously addressed, keeping the elements that worked, ejecting what failed, and restarting — this time with more clarity and understanding.

But let’s go a step further. Before a problem even arises, wouldn’t it be wiser to anticipate it? That’s where #ProactiveTHINKing comes in — the art of preparing before the crisis hits.

Instead of reacting blindly under pressure, #ProactiveTHINKing allows us to take the time to imagine potential issues and create strategies in advance. It means planning with #ReverseTHINKing already in mind, developing contingency steps, and strengthening the system so it becomes more resilient. This is the thinking approach of a responsible and forward-looking mind.

Unfortunately, in many administrations — governmental or communal — we see the exact opposite. When a problem emerges, the typical response is: “It’s not my job — someone else should handle it.” Delegating responsibility doesn’t solve the root cause — it merely shifts the blame and delays the resolution. This passive behavior shows a lack of training in genuine #ProblemSolving.

It’s time to change this.
We should demand better education in #ProblemSolving, especially for people in positions of responsibility. They must learn that effective resolution doesn’t begin with denial or delegation, but with reflection, analysis, and accountability — the core of both #ReverseTHINKing and #ProactiveTHINKing.

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🔍 Real-World Example: Urban Flooding — A Problem Mismanaged

When a city is hit by unexpected flooding, the usual reaction is urgent: sandbags, evacuations, emergency repairs, and political blame games. The public sees workers pumping water, while mayors promise “quick solutions” to avoid future chaos.

But this is exactly the kind of surface-level problem-solving that misses the point.

With #ReverseTHINKing, we would pause and ask:

• Why was the water not draining?
• What infrastructure failed — or was never built?
• Were green zones replaced by concrete?
• Were warning systems ignored or never implemented?
• Was there a failure in communication or coordination?

Looking back, we might discover that decades of poor urban planning, combined with budget cuts and inaction despite scientific reports, created the perfect storm. Using #ReverseTHINKing allows us to spot those root causes, not just react to the results. We can learn from what went wrong, extract good practices, and redesign urban plans from a better-informed perspective.

Now, here’s where #ProactiveTHINKing enters the scene.

What if city planners, years ago, had used foresight and asked themselves:

“What if we face more intense rainfall due to climate change?”
“What if our current drainage system isn’t built for that?”
“Should we create emergency plans or upgrade systems now, before disaster strikes?”

Some cities did think this way: places like Rotterdam (Netherlands) built water plazas, green roofs, and underground reservoirs before problems escalated — a perfect illustration of proactive and reverse-based thinking combined.

This is just one practical example. Give your students different ones — let them choose among them to analyze and explain how they would resolve the issues. This kind of engagement strengthens their understanding and encourages ownership of the learning process. It also activates critical reflection, teamwork, and creativity — key elements for meaningful and transferable #ProblemSolving skills.

💡 TIP for Teachers: Once your students have finished their project, you can copy their work and let it be checked by ChatGPT. It will provide a clear analysis, point out if anything was missed, and even suggest possible improvements. This not only supports students’ learning but also helps you, as a teacher, ensure that no important aspect was overlooked — because let’s be honest, nobody’s perfect 😉. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enhance the learning loop and model continuous improvement.

💡 TIP — Let ChatGPT Create the Rubric for You!
Once your students have completed their project, upload their document to ChatGPT and simply ask:
“Can you create a rubric to analyze this project?”

ChatGPT will generate a customized rubric based on the content and objectives it detects. This not only helps assess the student’s work more objectively, but it also ensures that you as the teacher haven’t missed anything important. It’s a second layer of analysis — fast, consistent, and reflective. Nobody is perfect, and this AI support strengthens the quality of your feedback and teaching. Here below an example Screenshot.

💬 Personal Note from Experience
I love rubrics because they show exactly where the learner stands in their learning process and what still needs improvement. They provide clearer guidance not only for students but also for parents, who can much more easily understand progress compared to traditional point-based systems. Rubrics highlight strengths and gaps in a transparent way, promoting more constructive feedback.

➡️ Of course, once the rubric is created and applied, teachers can still assign a final grade or point score if needed — but now it’s based on well-documented criteria rather than vague impressions.

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✅ Key Takeaway

#ReverseTHINKing helps us learn deeply from failure, while
#ProactiveTHINKing helps us act wisely before failure occurs.

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🎓 EDUcation: Planting Seeds for a Smarter Generation

🎓 EDUcation: Planting Seeds for a Smarter Generation
It is essential to introduce both #ReverseTHINKing and #ProactiveTHINKing early — starting in classrooms. Students should not only be taught how to answer questions, but how to analyze problems, question assumptions, and think in systems. Real-world problem-solving activities in class should encourage learners to reflect on past mistakes, propose improvements, and simulate “what if” scenarios — the same tools used in civic planning, health response, or technology development.

This #ReverseTHINKing combined with #ProactiveTHINKing is especially necessary in a computer- and AI-driven world. It prepares students not only to use technology wisely but to anticipate its risks, understand its logic, and shape it ethically — instead of just following it blindly.

By cultivating these thinking strategies through education, we empower future citizens to become responsible decision-makers rather than passive spectators. If schools embed #ProblemSolving in their culture using these methods, society will benefit from a more resilient, thoughtful, and innovative generation.

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✅ Conclusion

This is a basic introduction to #ReverseTHINKing and #ProactiveTHINKing as effective strategies for meaningful #ProblemSolving. It not only outlines the concepts but also provides practical TIPs for educators on how to integrate them into their curriculum. The approach is flexible and adaptable, allowing teachers and learners to adjust it according to their specific needs and educational objectives.

By embedding this dual-thinking method into classroom practice, educators foster a deeper level of analysis, critical reflection, and anticipatory thinking — all of which are essential in preparing students for real-world challenges.

Moreover, when used wisely and ethically, AI tools like ChatGPT can become a powerful support in this journey. From evaluating student work, to creating rubrics, to providing constructive feedback, ChatGPT can help both teachers and students improve their work continuously, ensuring quality learning outcomes while saving valuable time.

When paired with a strong pedagogical foundation, AI becomes not a threat but a trusted assistant — guiding learners toward becoming more thoughtful, responsible, and forward-thinking citizens.

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A Small Reminder 👉 #ReverseTHINKing — Learning to Unlearn in Order to Rebuild Better

Understanding Is Becoming More Difficult When the Basics Haven’t Been Learned…

And you — when did you stop questioning what is presented to you as “obvious”?
Is it time to relearn how to think… before someone else does it for you?

#ReverseTHINKing then becomes essential for regaining control over our attention, our choices, and our digital autonomy.
To understand #ReverseTHINKing further, please also read:
👉 ReverseTHINKing: A Necessity for Rethinking Our Place in a Changing Society?
👉 More to explore: https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=liberalism and https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=lib%C3%A9ralisme

🧠 A Final Call:

What if we reactivated the filter between our two ears — also known as the “brain” — to get those grey cells moving again? 😉

---

Related links, tutorials:

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/30/the-synthesizing-mind-in-education-tackling-the-challenges-of-a-changing-world/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/a-modern-ethical-framework-for-a-changing-world-rebuilding-lost-wisdom-and-knowledge/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/chatgpt-free-for-windows-desktop-users-part-73/

---

Check ALSO my Curation and EDU-related articles on my Blog

• https://www.scoop.it/topic/21st-century-learning-and-teaching?tag=AI
• https://www.scoop.it/topic/21st-century-innovative-technologies-and-developments?tag=AI

.

---

.

Check ALSO:

ChatGPT FREE for Windows Desktop users, Part 38

.

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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet  ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).. The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).

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