The art of finding correct description

A quote I like: “A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved” - Charles Kettering

The words you choose form the description, and the description forms your explanation - which results in your formed behavior, and toward the action you take.

There’s an old saying, “As thinking creates action, action creates habit, habit creates character, and character defines destiny.”

Human beings interpret the world through our lens of perception. Environment and experience are factors that shape this lens, which in turn influence how we describe and explain things. That’s why, when you have problems, you often seek someone else to share your thoughts with—sometimes, if you’re lucky, they can help you describe and explain the problem better.

Ask two people to describe a dog, and you'll get different answers. Each person might choose a different breed, color, size, or shape. One might keep it generic, while another may prefer to go in-depth about a specific breed. Some might ask for more context if they're being thoughtful, and want to give a better answer. Some might struggle to describe a dog because language and communication aren’t their strengths.

Sometimes, people with language disabilities may find it hard to form a concrete description. This may cause a disadvantage, as they struggle to build a foundation for understanding the event, and they might fail to form the right behavior, take the right action, or avoid making decisions altogether.

Your perception, shaped by language, leads to your own interpretation — and that dictates your choices. If you want to make better choices, maybe the first step is to start with the right description.