Life constantly throws curveballs at us, whether that is through career advancement, the challenges of everyday living, such as financial, medical, and emotional, or with every turn, we face change. Some people meet these challenges successfully; however, there are others who feel completely overwhelmed. Why? Because of Mental Flexibility.
Mental Flexibility is the capacity to respond appropriately to unexpected developments in life by adjusting your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings; having mental flexibility allows you to explore new opportunities, create unique solutions to obstacles, and remain strong in uncertain situations.
Developing mental flexibility is essential for advancing yourself as a person, as well as being successful for the long term, in an industry that is constantly changing.
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What Is Mental Flexibility?
Mental Flexibility or Cognitive Flexibility is the ability to "think flexibly" (or change your thinking). You will never be pinned down to just one style of thinking; you'll always be thinking of alternative or improved solutions.
Key signs of mental flexibility include:
Why Mental Flexibility Matters Today
1. It Reduces Stress
As such, mentally flexible people are able to pursue and create many of the opportunities available today.
2. It Encourages Problem-Solving
Rigid thinking blocks a person from making progress, while flexible thinking opens many doors for a person to find creative solutions, investigate a variety of ways to handle the situation, and create a list of ways to overcome multiple obstacles.
3. It Strengthens Emotional Resilience
People with mentally flexible minds recover more quickly from failures because they do not see challenges as permanent problems and believe that they will overcome the problem.
4. It Builds Better Relationships
A mentally flexible person understands the other person's viewpoint and can communicate clearly and effectively, thus avoiding potential disagreements between the two parties.
5. It Supports Personal Growth
In order to grow and improve, individuals must also be willing to change their habits, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors; by being open-minded, an individual is able to experiment with new ways to improve their lives.
How to Develop Mental Flexibility
1. Challenge Your Automatic Thoughts
Your initial thoughts are not always the best. When you're stuck on a problem, stop and ask yourself these questions:
- Is there another way to look at this situation?
- What are my options?
- Am I responding with emotion or with reason?
2. Accept That Change Is Inevitable
People who are mentally flexible embrace change as it happens to them in life. Instead of saying to themselves, "Why am I going through this?" They ask themselves, "What can I learn from this?" By changing your perspective from victim to learner, you decrease your fear and increase your resilience.
3. Practice Mindfulness
The mindfulness technique allows you to stay grounded in the present moment, to see your feelings as they arise, and to prevent being caught up in knee-jerk responses to events. The act of slowing down gives you more room to make sound decisions. Even taking 5 minutes a day to practice breathing techniques or meditation can help increase your mental flexibility.
4. Learn to Let Go of Control
While there are a lot of things we cannot control (people and how they behave, events and their outcomes, delays and how they impact us, and the circumstances we find ourselves in), trying to control everything will only lead to rigid thinking and an inability to accept what we cannot change. By letting go of something you cannot control and letting go of the way things "should" be, you will allow yourself to develop more trust in yourself and the process of life. A flexible-thinking person focuses his/her attention on:
- What he/she can control.
- What he/she can influence.
- And what he/she has to accept.
5. Embrace New Experiences
Mental Flexibility can be enhanced by “Doing something new.” Exemplifying Mental Flexibility:
- Skill Development.
- Reading in Various Genres.
- Travel to New Locations/Regions.
- Speaking with Individuals with a different opinion/Experience.
“Newness for your Brain causes Adaptation; therefore, it increases your Cognitive Flexibility.”
6. Reframe Negative Thoughts
Instead, use “Re-Framed” Statements:
- “I'm Unable to do this” becomes: “I'm Able to Learn How To Do This."
- “This is Failure” becomes: ”This is a Lesson."
- “Everything Is Going Wrong” becomes: “What is This Teaching Me?
7. Strengthen Your Emotional Awareness
By being aware of the Emotions Your Feeling (Stress, Anger, Fear, Uncertainty), You Can Diminish Their Power Over You & Provide More Calm/Flexible Responses To Situations & Events.
8. Practice Gratitude
Gratuity Changes Your Perspective from Not Having to Having More Opportunity and to Be More Open-Minded and LESS RIGID. People with Mental Flexibility Detect New Possibilities & Opportunities in Adverse Situations.
How Mental Flexibility Supports Continuous Growth
1. You Become More Adaptable
You Quickly Move On; Adjust Quickly to Change, Maintain Stability & Direction.
2. You Make Better Decisions
Wiser, More Effective Decisions Are Made If You Continue To Keep Your Cognitive Focus on Clarity & Open-Open Perspective.
3. You Build a Stronger Identity
Flexibility gives you a chance to expand yourself into being the best version of yourself instead of being confined by old habits.
4. You Stay Motivated
If you are not afraid of change, you will always continue to keep yourself motivated even when you encounter difficulties.
5. You Build Confidence
The more challenges you learn to overcome, the more confidence you develop.
Common Obstacles to Mental Flexibility
Some common barriers can keep you from reaching your full potential.Conclusion
Mental Flexibility is the main component when seeking to find balance, display resiliency, and achieve success in life. By developing your skills to modify your mindset, welcome change, and approach obstacles with an open mind, you will continue to develop your ability to grow.
Life will continue to evolve; however, with Mental Flexibility, you will continue to evolve even with the life changes and develop a new, stronger, wiser, and more adaptable version of yourself. Your mind is your greatest asset; develop it, and it will carry you through each of the seasons of your life.
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