Sometimes we stick to our mental approaches in a stubborn and inflexible way, so, almost without realizing it, we are unable to find solutions to our problems, remedies for disappointments and perspectives for everyday challenges. Thinking differently is not easy, it is true, but sometimes it can make the difference between well-being and suffering.
What really prevents us from thinking in a more agile, original and even healthy way?One of the most eminent personalities in the field of psychology that studied this subject was Abraham Luchins.
- In 1942.
- He published an experiment entitled ?Problem of the water jug?(In Portuguese.
- Water jug problem).
- In this work.
- Luchins demonstrated that our main problems are mental stiffness.
- Prejudice and even fear.
He’s shown that we’re afraid to innovate. We tend to be somewhat insecure when it comes to changing behaviors and introducing new functions into our routine, plus we have a hard time rethlying approaches, disabling legacy thought patterns, and detecting the defense mechanisms we apply on a daily basis that we do. I don’t usually know.
According to Luchins, the strategy to improve these realities would be to use more flexible thinking to adapt to an ever-changing and increasingly demanding environment.
We all have the ability to perceive the same things: the sound of a storm, the smell of wet earth, the rain hitting the windows?
But although we perceive the same stimuli, each person interprets them differently; based on your experience, personality, education, environment, mood, preferences and dislikes.
So, while some feel uncomfortable with a storm, others like it. There’s no biggest problem with that; each of us has peculiarities that allow us to filter and understand reality in one way or another.
The central point is that, sometimes, our particular way of dealing with what surrounds us and what happens is influenced by negativity, helplessness and mental rigidity.
So how can we start thinking differently to feel better?How do we do this if our thoughts arise automatically and, in many cases, mediated by our emotions?Here are some keys:
In the 1940s, Dr. Abraham Luchins anticipated the need to develop a different type of mental focus, an approach that would allow us to survive and respond to a changing and stimulating environment.
Leonard Mlodinow, a renowned physicist and mathematician, introduced a few years ago the concept of “elastic mind”, something of great interest to the field of psychology.
Mlodinow has collaborated with Stephen Hawking on several of his books and remains one of the most interesting scientific announcers to date. His contribution to the so-called elastic spirit is a direct invitation not only to think differently and to live better, but also to promote our happiness and even promote the progress of society.
This idea is based on the following pillars
With elastic thinking, we are not afraid of the new and accept uncertainty, with it we also know and understand that change is constant and that we must not only adapt to it, but also take advantage of it.
We would all like to think differently to live better and think flexibly to respond effectively to day-to-day challenges, applying this kind of approach as healthy as that of the elastic mind allows us to respond in a more innovative way in the future. another aspect that we need to take into account.
Countless useless and even harmful thoughts go through our minds. We refer to those who feed negative internal dialogue. The same people who tell us things like “I’m useless, I won’t get over it,” “Things are going to get complicated. “gets worse and there’s nothing to do? and ‘I shouldn’t take any chances, I must stay in my comfort zone. ‘
If we clean up this flow of limiting thoughts that is installed in our minds, internal dialogue will be much healthier and more rewarding, only then will we allow ourselves to think differently, giving way to the elastic mind, able to see precious opportunities for change. .
In addition, the mind and brain must be kept up to date for the new times, something like this requires constant work and a firm commitment to ourselves.