Why Is Thinking Different So Hard?

October 18th,2011

Life Simplified - Why Is Thinking Differently So Difficult?

photo credit:capture queen

Kids Get It

Have you ever noticed how easy it is for little kids to think differently? Even when they’re told one thing,they can come up with twelve different ways to look at a situation.

When my nephews were little,we would have these great conversations. Usually they would start with a question like,“Which came first,Auntie Jen,God or the dinosaurs?” I mean,really,who asks those questions…oh yeah kids.

They aren’t constrained by conditioned beliefs. They naturally explore different sides of a situation. Even when you want to “tell them the way it is,”they’ll challenge you. Ever go through the “why’s”with a three year old?

When did you lose the ability to think differently?

I’ll bet it was around the third or fourth grade. That’s about that age you start to accept what they’ve been told because you don’t want to look silly.

Is that still happening today?

Are you still believing what you were taught when you were a kid? I’ll bet you are. Maybe not in every area in your life,but I’m sure when you dig down you’ll find those time honored beliefs. Are they still serving you?

When you try to think differently,all of your past beliefs rise to the surface. Past beliefs don’t like to be challenged. They put up a pretty good fight. I’ll let you in on a little secret,though,once you get past the tantrum,they quiet down. It’s just takes a bit of patience.

How can you begin the process of thinking differently?

Surround yourself with others who think differently.
Don’t judge,just listen.
If the old voices come up,ask yourself if this is really what you believe or is it something you inherited.
Ask yourself how do you know this thought is true (Thanks Byron Katie!).
Do “New Thought Exercises” –Hold a completely new thought for a minute. Notice the internal tantrum or uncomfortable feeling. Let it go. Next time hold it for two minutes. Again notice the internal struggle. Is it easier or harder than before. Then let it go. Keep extending the time you hold the thought. You’ll notice that the longer you allow yourself to hold a new thought,the quieter the old voices become.

We have the Not Business As Usual Conference coming up next week and it’s goal is to help business owners think differently. I’ll share something with you,putting this together has really gotten me to think differently. I feel stretched in new directions.

There’s a liberation when you start to open yourself up to new thoughts. I can’t wait to see our participants experience this on October 27th. There’s still room if you feel you need a little stretching!