Rigid Mindset Vs. Flexible Mindset

How to be mentally flexible?

Our minds don’t like the change — the uncertainty.
That’s why we need a bit of “mental flexibility”.
Let me give you an exercise I used when I was a Personal Trainer.
It’s basic, but it will help you become more mentally flexible.

I’ll break it down into 4 simple steps

1.    So, back in 2014 I was working as a Personal Trainer.

My life was really basic:
→    I used to spend 13 hours a day working with 13 different people

And guess what?
Half of them used to come five minutes late.
You know… the classic.

Anyway, my question was:
→    How can I optimize these 5 minutes?

So, for a couple of months, I decided to use 5 minutes a day to do an exercise.

2.    Here’s what I used to do:
→    Grab my iPhone
→    Go on Google Images
→    Search for “gadgets” or “tools”
→    And pick one of them

For example, a pen.

3.    Alright. And then?

Then, for about 3 minutes, I used to do this:
→    Think of as many different ways as I could use that pen

Even if they seemed strange.                                                                                                                                                                                

 For example, “I can use that pen as…
→    a tool to eat my basmati rice”
→    a magic wand when I train clients”
→    a dumbbell to explain exercises to my clients”

We just need to come up with lots of ideas — without judgment.

4.    After those 3 minutes, I used to do this:
→    Take a look at all the ideas I came up with and notice any patterns.

Just to be aware of my level of “mental flexibility/creativity”

Now, back to us.

I know it seems silly, but here’s the reality:
→    Embracing change is one of the most important things ever.

Especially in today’s world.
Often, stress and anxiety come from not being able to embrace change.
And it’s really hard to embrace change without mental flexibility.

So, to recap:
1.    Set a 5-minute timer
2.    Go on Google Images
3.    Search for a tool
4.    Pick one of them
5.    Think of as many different ways you could use that tool
6.    Take a look at all the ideas you came up with and notice any patterns.

This way:
→    You’ll adapt to new situations easily
→    You’ll become more mentally flexible
→    You’ll feel less overwhelmed when things change

Of course, we need practice and patience.
It’s part of the game