Flexibility of mind: concept, development, importance

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Considering the qualities of a person, one of the most important of them can be called thinking. After all, it is thanks to him that people solve the tasks they face and cope with the problems that arise.

Thinking can be logical and critical, analytical, creative, abstract, and sometimes flexible. The last of these species is very useful for humans. After all, having the flexibility of the mind, it is much easier to live in this world. Such a characteristic of thinking will allow you to acquire the ability to adapt to absolutely any conditions and begin to benefit even from those situations that seem extremely unfavorable.

In order to be convinced of this, it is worth studying the stories of successful people. All of them have the flexibility of the mind to one degree or another. This allows all the activities of these people to be incredibly effective. So mental flexibility is a really useful skill to learn in order to start drawing logical conclusions and conclusions from your reasoning faster.

Definition of concept

In psychologythe flexibility of the mind is the ability of a person to revise his decisions and conclusions when conditions change. In addition, this concept means the absence of any templates used in solving life problems, as well as preconceived opinions.

People who lack these qualities are characterized by inertia of the mind. They think and act only after the pattern and are afraid of everything new.

In order to finally understand what the flexibility of the mind is, it is necessary to consider how it is expressed in a person. After all, if a person is able to reasonably approach life, then this will certainly be reflected in the way of thinking.

Moreover, the flexibility of thinking is also the ability of a person to clearly see the current situation, as well as to predict its further development. What are the signs of such a characteristic in a person?

Alternative

This concept means the ability of an individual to make a choice between several options. The alternative, as a rule, takes place in people with a high level of development of thinking. After all, a person needs not only to make this or that decision, but to justify its correctness before his own conscience, while seeing additional opportunities.

Under any circumstances, a person must remember that there is always an alternative. That is why at the first failure you should not give up and despair. With such an approach, you will not achieve anything significant in life.

Coping with a difficult situation is often possible withlooking for the answer within yourself. This will allow you to determine the most significant opportunities and prospects. The flexibility of the mind in this case will be needed to determine the most appropriate solution to the problem. Generally, people learn this based on their life experiences.

Assuming Responsibility

Unfortunately, not every person is capable of this. The reasons lie in those factors that contribute to the formation of irresponsibility and mental relaxation in a person. The individual gets used to the fact that he tries not to pay attention to what is happening to him. Of course, life is much easier this way. After all, you do not need to make any efforts when it is necessary to perform important actions. However, it should be borne in mind that a person who runs away from his essence will never become happy. It's like detaching from your own feelings, when you don't even have time to identify and realize them.

When taking full responsibility, a person must have the ability to admit his mistakes. This is a demonstration of the flexibility of the mind. It is worth noting that people who have learned to overcome the difficulties they encounter along the way note that it was the acceptance of responsibility that allowed them to do this.

Switching attention

A person who concentrates on a particular thought for a long time becomes concentrated. This is a state when a certain situation constantly scrolls in the head, allowing you to quickly come to the optimal solution and find the right answer. Sometimes his own vision of the problem facing the individual overturns his consciousness, and he begins tostrive for a specific result. What will be the final choice of the solution in this case depends on the worldview of the individual and on the system of internal beliefs that she has. However, if you focus on one problem for a very long time, this can lead to apathy. The flexibility of thinking in this case is manifested in the ability of a person to switch, transferring attention from one thought to another. This skill is very useful. He can always come in handy. After all, any new undertaking will definitely require patience, perseverance and mental strength. At the same time, the flexibility of the mind will allow you to protect yourself from additional experiences and not feel like an ordinary loser.

Creative method

The manifestation of creativity in a person should be present in everything. And this is impossible without the use of internal creative resources. If this is not the case, then the energy of the personality will gradually fade away, and in the end it will simply become impossible to apply it.

Our life is such that everyday life throws various surprises on a person from time to time. If these accidents are taken by surprise, they can lead us to a dead end. The flexibility of the mind will allow this to be prevented. In this case, it will be expressed in a creative approach to the problem, which will solve emerging issues as soon as possible.

Taking the other person's point of view

For us, this is perhaps the most difficult. After all, people are arranged in such a way that in any situation they consider only themselves to be right. Such a worldview is associated with the inner naturehuman, which includes natural defense mechanisms. All this allows the individual to avoid any troubles that arise on his way. Flexibility of thinking is what allows you to see the situation as if from the inside. At the same time, a person begins to turn to the origins of the existing problem.

Thinking operations

What determines the flexibility of the mind? From the mental operations produced by him. They include comparison, opposition, as well as synthesis and analysis, concretization and abstraction, systematization and generalization. These elements are considered single, paired and reversible.

Let's consider the features of mental operations:

1. Comparison. Such an operation consists in establishing the difference or similarity of the objects of thought. When comparing, a person discovers certain essential properties of phenomena and objects. According to some researchers, this is the most essential aspect of thinking. Considering objects from different points of view, a person gets the opportunity to compare and compare their qualities in unusual, new circumstances.
2. Analysis. This process is understood as the mental division of a phenomenon or object into its component parts. Analysis helps us in our efforts to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. This requires the study of each of its parts separately. The analysis of an object can also be abstract. It is carried out to reveal the essence of a phenomenon or object.
3. Synthesis. In contrast to analysis, this process allows you to make a whole ofindividual parts. It is far from always possible to say what exactly is to be combined. And here you can find a close relationship between synthesis and analysis. Indeed, in order to unite something, sometimes it is necessary to understand what can make up a single whole.
4. Generalization. This process means the reduction of something particular to the general. Generalization follows the analysis of the material and the selection of the properties of individual parts by comparing them. After that, it becomes possible to determine the main and general thing that is characteristic of objects that are the material of thinking.
5. Abstraction. Such a process means the distraction of thinking from the specific sensory-figurative properties of the object or phenomenon chosen by it. It is possible only after a person excludes everything insignificant, particular and accidental.

Develop the flexibility of thinking

So, we have already realized the need for such a characteristic in our lives. But how to develop the flexibility of the mind? Most often, this process begins with the development of genuine self-esteem. An original approach to this matter will also be useful. All this will allow the individual to demonstrate his worth, earning respect for himself. In the eyes of others, making such a decision will also add strength and make it possible to feel significant and self-sufficient. What is good for the mind and how to develop its flexibility? Let's look into this matter.

Get rid of fears

A person is always prevented from moving forward by a variety of phobias. Fear limits us to such an extent that it contributes to the creation of certaininternal framework, from which it is very difficult to escape. It is also worth remembering that anxieties and doubts always play a negative role and can destroy any undertaking already in the bud. If a person experiences strong fear, then he will certainly give up any prospect. That is why in order to achieve the desired goal, it is necessary to stop being afraid. Only in this case will there be flexibility of thinking, which will allow you to achieve significant results in life. The individual will begin to think constructively and direct his mind towards creation.

Start experimenting

The life of the overwhelming majority of people is very limited by the frames of invented stereotypes, beyond which they simply do not dare. This greatly impoverishes their existence. Any action aimed at development, in this case, will be very difficult for a person. He just needs to experiment, which will allow him not to stop there.

Sometimes it is very sad to watch those people who give up halfway, before they have even started their business properly. The one who made the first, albeit a timid step, should not stop. You should continue to move steadily forward, which will allow you to reach the intended goal.

Of course, a person is not always and everywhere given the opportunity to conduct their own experiments. But this does not mean at all that he cannot take a closer look at the situation that has arisen and draw appropriate conclusions from this. Developing the flexibility of thinking is not an easy task. It needs to be solvedgradually.

Going beyond

Such a process is a rejection of stereotypes. In most cases, this is not so easy to do. After all, when people are required to make some non-standard decision, they begin to feel limited and constrained. Going beyond the existing framework means the manifestation of flexibility of thinking. In this case, you will have to learn something unknown, start mastering new behavior, and also fight your own fear. With the right setting of tasks, a person is able to win this internal duel, which, first of all, involves the eradication of laziness. Getting rid of it, a person will be easier to make decisions. That is why the development of mental flexibility will certainly help the rejection of stereotypes.

Rethinking Beliefs

Each person adheres to his life principles. They contribute to the adoption of responsible decisions, indicating the direction of movement. In order to develop the flexibility of thinking, you will need to begin to show greater loy alty to certain things. And to do this will allow an alternative vision of the world. This goal cannot be achieved quickly. Sometimes a person needs a lot of patience and time in order to start thinking right away in any situation, and only then do it.

To cultivate the flexibility of thinking, you need to train a lot, while reviewing the most significant beliefs for yourself. All this will allow you to digress a little from the problem in order to start looking for the best ways to solve it. The passage of difficulties incredibly hardens a person,especially if he himself was able to find a way out of the predicament. A big role here is given to changing habits. Such a move can work miracles.

Developing individuality

Not many people are guided only by their own desires and opinions. In order to develop individuality, a person will need to begin to live in harmony with his destiny and conscience. This leads to the need to find a favorite thing. The chosen occupation will allow you to become the master of your existence. The achievement of such a goal is facilitated by creative activities, which must certainly be enjoyed and bring tangible benefits.

In addition to changing the inner vision of life, gymnastics for the mind is recommended. She is able to develop his flexibility in the same way that physical exercise strengthens our body. It only takes a few minutes a day to do mental flexibility exercises. They are the practice of very simple strategies that promote the interaction of the left and right hemispheres of our brain. This leads to the creation of new connections between neurons and gradually increases the flexibility of the mind as a whole. Does a person need such exercises or not? In order to determine the answer, it is enough to pass any test for the flexibility of thinking. The answers to the proposed questions will allow you to check the originality of thinking. But when solving the test for the flexibility of the mind, you should not immediately give up and open the right answer. It's worth considering, but it should be done without too much thought.

How to do gymnastics for the mind?

Dress and undress,eyes closed

This exercise is done once a day. At first glance, this task may seem rather silly.

However, doing it contributes:

• improving movement coordination;
• strengthening the relationship between the left and right hemispheres of the brain;
• development of fine motor skills.

Using mind maps

British scientist Tony Buzan has developed a rather simple, but at the same time effective tool that helps to release the creative potential of a person. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, he created mind maps. Today, they are often included in the curriculum of many courses, and are also used by various companies and institutions to solve their problems.

Mental maps can be used to plan a career or vacation, while preparing for meetings, presentations, etc. But the most valuable quality of this tool lies in the fact that with its regular use, the brain learns to use two hemispheres at once, which develops his flexibility.

How does it work? Let's say you've been given a task to write a review of the last movie you've seen. How will our brain work on this task? Are we going to write sequentially listing the most important points? Probably not. As a rule, the images, key words and impressions of the film will float freely in the mind of the viewer, eventually connecting with each other. The mental map ismethod that displays this process on paper. It is a graphic expression of those thought patterns that are natural to humans.

As you know, the creative process requires a balance between the production of ideas and their organization. This will allow timely selection of the most feasible and creative ideas. However, most people suffer from the fact that they try to immediately organize the ideas they have, which is to the detriment of the emergence of others. The use of mental maps is designed to free a person from such dictates. They allow you to organize all the key concepts related to a particular topic in such a way as to enable the search for associations. This is what allows the individual to become creative, and thinking more flexible.

Determination of exact and approximate values

There are also brain games. But it should be borne in mind that improving thinking will require certain volitional efforts. And even if the use of the simulator for the mind seems nothing more than an interesting pastime, then in this case, the benefits of these activities will certainly be obtained.

For the development of the brain, it will be necessary to break its habitual rhythm and provide it with new stimuli. This will help the game to determine the exact and approximate values. It should become a daily task that requires attention, calculation and calculation. For example, how many stairs are in your office? And how many people in black clothes were on the bus today? What is the value of the last two digits of the license plate of a passing car?

Learning a foreign language

What else can be done to develop the flexibility of the mind? Learning 3-5 new foreign words a day will help this process. It doesn't matter what language you choose. Such classes help to increase the linguistic potential and broaden one's horizons. At the same time, new neural tissues are being formed - an excellent cognitive reserve, which in the future will help a person to endure age-related changes in the body with dignity.

Puzzle Solving

How to constantly keep your mental activity in good shape over the years? For this, there are puzzles for adults. They are logic puzzles, as well as tricky, funny or difficult questions.

In order to solve puzzles for adults, a person does not need a high level of education. At the same time, such a process will be an excellent training of ingenuity and will bring the joy of achievement. Solving riddles for adults, you will need to apply non-standard thinking. This will give a wonderful impetus to the improvement of intellectual development. Subsequently, a person will begin to quickly find the optimal solution in non-standard everyday situations.

Where can I find mind flexibility puzzles? There are many books on this subject. Such literature contains many fascinating puzzles and charades, the latest tests and logical problems. One of these collections is Philip Carter's book "Develop Intelligence". There are also manyother similar publications. All of them are designed for readers of different ages and allow you to activate the brain.