Critical thinking is useful if you know the Variables you are dealing with (or at least most of them)

Critical thinking is often taught in High School or College and is the basis of truly logical thinking. It is a little like: "A plus B equals C like you get in Algebra. If you know the variables of any situation often you can come to some understanding of at least how to survive that situation even if others do not.

Critical thinking at the right times in life is why some people survive situations and others do not.

Critical thinking is why some people can win at chess over and over again. Critical thinking often is why some people live and some people die before their times.

That's why if you want to actually be a survivor and live to 100 if you are not some kind of critical thinker you likely won't make it that far. 

The other thing useful is to be in the right place at the right time. 

How do you do that?

By creating a life where you are free enough in your thoughts and movements to always be where you need to be in time, space and consciousness.