Mental Agility: Unlocking Perspective to Unleash Your Potential

“We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.” - Anais Nin

?In recent weeks, I have spoken with and written for a variety of audiences about Cognitive Bias. It’s not only natural but also necessary for us to develop?biases in order to quickly organize information, better understand what’s happening in a moment, take appropriate actions.?These automatic cognitive processes are developed through our experiences from early years onward. Hence, as the Anais Nin quote suggests, we see things?through a lens of past experiences.??

Bias locks us in and stunts our growth.

We know?the problem with biases happens when they are overused.?They go unchecked more often than?we’d?like to recognize, however, because the only way to expand beyond them is to take on a “beginner's mind” with humility and curiosity.?This can often be a struggle to do when a person fears their?expertise?or self-valued thoughts will be questioned.?Interestingly, though,?it’s?a sign of greater ego strength and more reliable?expertise?to check your bias at the door and?enter?a conversation with the only way an “open mind” can?exist:?coming from a?“beginner mindset”.?Taking it one step further, the absence of doing so will undoubtedly stunt your growth in one way or another.?

Why should we strive to unlock our perspective? Our business and relationships deserve it.?

Biases interfere with Mental Agility, or the flexible thinking that allows us to understand more, creatively problem-solve and develop a mindset of growth overall.?

While there is much to be read and practiced around Mental agility for mental sharpness, flexible?thinking?really requires a combination?of?brain stimulation and?emotional?(lens)?regulation.?

Brain stimulation that promotes a Growth Mindset includes activities such as reading things you?do not?normally read,?creating with art or music,?listening to music that?isn’t?normally on your playlist, listening to podcasts about subjects outside of your area of expertise or personal experience, etc.??

Growth Mindset that comes from regulating your emotional lens is a bit trickier. It requires self-reflection, willingness, and that humility that I mentioned earlier.?It means starting with a “help me better understand...” kind of question in conversations. It needs an effective use of The Pause?to pay attention to an emotional reaction to what is being presented and practice responsiveness instead of being reactive. It can mean trying on?someone else’s “glasses” to see the situation from their mindset. It forces us not to jump to?conclusion?and attach meaning to?people’s actions before we expand our understanding.??

If you want to know more about unlocking your mindset to unleash your potential in relationships of all types, leadership, and your personal growth, reach out: [email protected]

Currently, I provide my Brain & Body Optimization Coaching to two of the top three global law firms, a few Fortune 100 companies, a major hospital, and up to 10 high-pressured individuals monthly. My concierge care means I actually am readily available and truly customize my work to meet my clients' particular needs.

#leadership #bias #cognitivebias #mindset #performance #socialdynamics #healthycontrol #potential #growthmindset #interpersonalrelations #corporateculture #coaching #brainbasedleadership #brainhealth