Exemplary way to get in position (8)
I believe the answer is:
instance
'exemplary way' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'get in position' is the wordplay.
'get' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'position' becomes 'stance' (stance is a kind of position).
'in'+'stance' is 'INSTANCE'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for instance that I've seen before include "Occasion" , "A case or example of something" , "Case or example from ancients" , "Canniest (anag) - occurrence" , "Cite as an example" .)