Friday, September 21, 2012
Flexibility – Six Ways to Keep Your Mind Flexible
“You’re in a rut. You’re a stick in the mud.
When was the last time you ever did anything spontaneous?”
Have you ever thought that way about
yourself? We tend to settle into a routine,
which is really a good way to get things accomplished. However, it can also
lead to a person feeling stagnant and dissatisfied with life. Sometimes, you
just have to break out and try something new.
Naturally, some people are more open to
trying new things than others. So, here are some ideas that anyone can
comfortably do to keep your mind flexible:
- When feeling stymied by a problem, walk away from it. Go for a walk or put on some music and dance around the room. Not only will the increased flow of oxygen help your brain function better, by taking a break you allow you mind to work on the problem in a new way. More often than not, you’ll come up with a great solution.
- Your mind needs exercise, so learn something new. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn but have never taken the time? Why not try it now. Take that art class, learn to dance or try a new language. You’ll find your creativity and problem-solving skills blossom in all areas of life.
- Pay attention to your response to situations. Do you find you automatically dismiss new ideas or activities? Are your thoughts tending more toward negative or critical rather than positive responses? When you notice self-limiting thoughts and words like “I can’t”, why not substitute more productive ones like “It would be fun to try…”
- Adopt a new goal in life. Instead of trying to be perfect, the more flexible goal is to simply do your best and enjoy what you’re doing.
- Spend more time with children. If you want to look at the world in a new way, listen to a child. They’re full of questions and surprisingly delightful observations.
- Make room for spontaneity. Rather than scheduling every minute of the day, make time to do something different like stopping at a new coffee shop or traveling a new route to work or school taking note of places you’d like to visit. You could also think about what would please a friend or family member and do it. Unexpected gifts, especially gifts of your time and attention, are best.
There’s a saying: “A bend in the road is not
the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn.” A flexible mind isn’t
attached to specific outcomes but can tolerate uncertainty, adapt to change,
learn from mistakes, and take risks to solve problems in new ways.
Why not discover for yourself what our
professionals at Simplify
can do to open up that extra time so you can afford to be spontaneous and
flexible. If you live in the Silicon Valley, our home concierge service can do
what you need so you can focus on your life and family.
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