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- Mindsnack Ep. 9 - Cognitive Flexibility
Mindsnack Ep. 9 - Cognitive Flexibility
How to adapt to new situations, easier
Jonathan Davis
August 22, 2024
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GM! Welcome to Ep. 9 of Mindsnack.
In this episode, we’re talking about Cognitive Flexibility—the skill that helps you adapt to new situations, think outside the box, and stay calm when things don’t go as planned. It's like training your brain to be more flexible and ready for anything.
Scientifically Backed Section:
Cognitive flexibility is your brain's ability to change how you think based on new information. Think of it like switching gears in a car—you can go from one task to another without getting stuck.
How Your Brain Does This:
The front part of your brain, called the prefrontal cortex, helps you adapt and solve problems. Studies show that doing new things, like learning a hobby or trying a new sport, makes this part of your brain stronger. Just like lifting weights makes your muscles bigger, challenging your brain makes it better at adjusting to change.
How to Improve It:
Try New Things – Doing something new, like playing a different video game or learning to cook, forces your brain to think in new ways, which helps you grow.
See Problems Differently – If something doesn’t go your way, ask yourself: "How can I look at this from another angle?" This practice helps your brain become quicker at finding solutions.
Practice Being Present – Meditation, or just sitting quietly for a few minutes, can help you stay calm and clear-headed. It makes your brain better at switching gears when you need to think fast.
Why It Matters:
In life, things can change quickly. The better you are at adjusting, the more confident you’ll feel when things don’t go as expected. Cognitive flexibility is like a superpower for handling whatever comes your way.
Deep Example:
Let’s consider Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. Jobs is often remembered for his innovation and vision, but his success was also deeply tied to his cognitive flexibility.
In the 1990s, after being ousted from Apple, Jobs founded NeXT and acquired Pixar. At Pixar, he faced the challenge of transforming a struggling animation studio into a major player in the film industry. Cognitive flexibility played a crucial role here. Jobs had to shift from his tech-focused mindset at NeXT to understanding the creative and storytelling aspects of animation. He adapted his leadership style and strategy to fit the new industry, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.
Jobs’ ability to switch from a tech entrepreneur to a media mogul, and then back to leading Apple with a fresh perspective, highlights his cognitive flexibility. This adaptability allowed him to bring new ideas to Apple, like the iPod and iPhone, which revolutionized the tech world.
Quote of the Day:
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." – Albert Einstein
Book of the Day:
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath & Dan Heath – This book is all about how to handle change in your life. It’s full of simple tips and cool stories that show you how to become better at dealing with new situations.