“Each decision you make, each path you take, each risk you take helps to define who you are and who you will become. Investing the time to think through, investigate, weigh options, and then choosing your decisions carefully creates a better life."
– Chuck Clayton
Chuck Clayton
3859 W. Valley Mine Dr.
Tucson AZ 85745
(520) 743-1257
chuckclayton@comcast.net
"This is a great book...full of insights and ideas that will make a difference for any human!"
~Alan Bean, Apollo 12 Moonwalker
Needed: More Common Sense and Critical Thinking!
It's clear that there's an appalling lack of critical thinking and common sense in the United States. Author Chuck Clayton provides what is an essential guide for re-learning the lost art of critical thinking.
~Jack J. Challem (The Nutrition Reporter)
The Common Sense Manual!
Clayton's book comes at the right time in American society where whim has replaced thought in most decision-making. Bone-headed decisions in business, education and government seem to dominate the culture, often producing disastrous results. While written for the general audience, younger readers will benefit the most from it because the author has systematized routine, but important, decisions everyone makes with the aid of easy-to-follow step-by-step problem solving methods.
~Michael A. Piatak --Senior Product Engineer
This book helps good Decision Making!
Have you witnessed the "dumbing down" of America? Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" segment on television, while entertaining, is symptomatic of a deeper problem. The good news is the author takes the reader through many examples of how to make good decisions by thinking through them in a step-by-step manner. Many simple and practical examples are provided. This book is timely and is needed.
~ Mark Jepperson –Corporate Manager
Critical Thinking either you have it or you don't.....if you don't have it, this is a good resource
Chuck has really put together a simple, step by step way how one can use critical thinking. It is an acquired skill if you don't have it. If only everyone use critical thinking, decision making would be a breeze.
Highly recommend as a resource book of this subject.
~ Cecille Ortega-Medical Profession
Let's send this book to the US Congress!
If you ever read the paper or watch the news and ask yourself, "What the heck is wrong with our Federal Government?"...Read this book! The information contained in this entertaining easy to read book has the answers you have been seeking. This is must reading for anyone that has to make decisions.
~Steve Tyra –Humorist
Statistics and Observations
(Shows the need for Critical Thinking skills)
Primary Problem: The current educational systems in the United States are not teaching us what we need to know to be successful in life. Let’s explore further.
The United States has many of the finest universities in the world. Some of them emphasize and teach critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, many don’t. This is evident because too many students attending are not learning the thinking skills they need to be successful.
The American Institute for Research published a new study in January of 2006. It reports that:
More than 75% of students at two year colleges and more than 50% of students at four year colleges can’t read or write well. As examples of this, the report states that these students can’t effectively:
Compare credit card offers with different interest rates
Summarize the arguments of newspaper editorials
It also states that at least 20% of college graduates completing four year degrees, and 30% of students earning two year degrees, have only basic quantitative and literacy skills. These individuals:
Are unable to estimate if their car will make it to the next gas station
Calculate the total cost of ordering office supplies 1
Yet, they are still able to do these things better than the general adult population.
1. From the American Institute for Research “New study of college students finds some are graduating with only basic skills”. January 19, 2006.
The Problem : Public Education in the United States
Here is a quote From Revolutionary Wealth by Alvin and Heidi Toffler:“The United States spends nearly $400 billion a year on public education from preschool through secondary school, with a median of approximately $7000 per student. Yet 60 percent of high school students can not read well enough to get through their textbooks, a third of graduates can not do the basic math required of a beginning carpenter and nearly a third of young adults cannot locate the Pacific Ocean a map.”
Also, from Revolutionary Wealth
In 2005 Bill Gates said: “ America’s high schools are obsolete. By obsolete, I don’t just mean that our high schools are broken, flawed, and under-funded…By obsolete, I mean that our high schools—even when they’re working exactly as designed—cannot teach our kids what they need to know today…This isn’t an accident or a flaw in the system: it is the system.”
From The Age of Turbulence by Alan Greenspan: “A dysfunctional U.S. elementary and secondary education system has failed to prepare our students sufficiently rapidly to prevent a shortage of skilled workers and a surfeit of lesser-skilled ones, expanding the pay gap between the two groups.”
The Solution:
Critical Thinking skills are clearly needed in today’s complex world to be successful. The Re-Discovery of Common Sense provides a solid foundation for the most powerful skill! The sooner individuals learn these skills the better, however anyone can learn them with the right attitude.
Show Ideas
"HOT" Topic
What Public Education Isn't Teaching our Young--
And "HOW MUCh" You are paying for it!
Suggested Interview Questions
Here are just a couple examples of interview questions.
Approximate time to answer each question is provided at the end of the question.
Other questions are wecome as well!
Q: What is the purpose of your book? (Time to answer: ~1 minute)
Q: Who is the book for? (Time to answer: ~ 1 minute)
Q: What are the primary benefits of reading this book and why? (Time to answer: 1 minute)
Q: What is the number one skill employers need and why?
(Time to answer: ~ 30 seconds)
Q: What are some of the key elements of critical thinking? (Time to answer: ~ 1 minute)
Q: In your book you discuss the steps of decision making. What are they? (Time to answer: ~ 30 seconds)
Q: In your book you say that Critical Thinking is our most powerful strength. Can you explain why? (Time to answer: ~1.5 minutes)
Q: What are the most useful things that critical thinking skills can do for you? (Time to answer: ~2 minutes )
More Questions
Q: What are the skills needed to survive in the world tomorrow? (Time to answer: ~ 1.5 minutes)
Q: You discuss in your book about projects and objectives? Can you give an example of each? (Time to answer: ~ 1 minute)
Q: If you had to sum up in one statement what is the most important method of critical thinking, what would it be? (Time to answer ~30 sec)
Video Clips
2 min 56 sec
Why learn about The Re-Discovery of Common Sense?
Credentials
Chuck is a principal mechanical engineer and business problem solver with over 30 years of experience. He has a BSME from Michigan Tech University and a MBA from Pepperdine University. This education and experience coupled with his unquenchable curiosity has helped him develop efficient ways for you to make great decisions, organize your thinking, free up time, and create an exciting future for yourself.
Chuck lives in Tucson Arizona. He enjoys traveling and has been to six continents and well over twenty countries. He also enjoys Argentine Tango, keeping in shape and studying the history of the Apollo space program.
Top 10 Reasons to work with Chuck Clayton
Problem solver, decision maker
MBA from Pepperdine University
Arizona Speakers Association Candidate Member
Toastmaster CTM and Advanced Communicator Silver
Fee structure is affordable and flexible
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
Personalized to meet your needs
Well traveled and insightful
Entertaining
Informative
Fun!
Some of the locations Chuck Clayton has spoke and taught
Raytheon Management Club
Tucson Rotary Club
Michigan Tech University
Pima County Community College
Several other Community Colleges
Tucson Audubon Society
Contact Information
Chuck Clayton
3859 W. Valley Mine Dr.
Tucson AZ 85745
(520) 743-1257
chuckclayton@comcast.net
