MATTHEW OUTERBRIDGE
  • Articles
  • Book Summaries
  • 22 Strategies

Fixing Fixedness

12/17/2020

 
Tools can be used for a variety of purposes beyond their conventional uses. A hammer is also a paperweight, or a weapon, or a decorative art piece.

This principle applies to ideas as well. Problems that seem to only have one glaring answer may in fact have alternative (and often far more ideal) solutions.

Once a choice or concept is crystallized, it becomes very hard to imagine other possibilities. 

I believe that one of the best ways to keep the doors open to creative and divergent thinking is to consider the perspectives of others that you respect and trust. Listening with the intention of working towards continual improvement and touching on deep truths is a great way to override a fixed mindset. 

If you feel compelled to quit your job, and you are a linchpin to your organization, it might be possible to propose a remote work arrangement or alternative work agreement. 

If you are stuck choosing between two jobs, travel plans or long-term goals, perhaps there is a way to have both (this might not work too well with romantic partners).

There are no hard and fast rules about what you can and can't accomplish. 

Many limitations are only there because we believe they are there. 

Destroy those limitations with the hammer of playful thinking. In the words of a true master:

“You think that's air you're breathing now?" 

- Morpheus




Comments are closed.

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Articles
  • Book Summaries
  • 22 Strategies