Brain Plasticity: How To Get An Elastic Mind
Albert Einstein said that the real potential for human intelligence relies on the ability to change. Being able to adopt new perspectives and ideas and get rid of useless concepts is one of the best virtues people have. With that said, it is not surprising that concepts such as brain plasticity and elastic mind are widely known and studied in the fields of psychology and art.
A few years ago, there was an exhibition at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) that represented this idea. We live in a moment where everything is constantly changing. As the years go by, science and technology become increasingly important in the way people process reality, work, relate to others and even understand the world.
Therefore, in interesting books such as Design and The Elastic Mind by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Peter Hall, Libby Hruska and Rebecca Roberts, we can learn more about the need to develop more elastic thinking. Only by doing this will you be able to survive and give your best in an ever-changing environment; one where you are almost forced to improvise and react quickly to be able to solve more than one challenge.
Achieving brain plasticity is not immediately easy. The brain is usually very resistant to change and clings to its comfort zones as much as possible. But teaching the mind to become more innovative and flexible can lead to big positive changes as a result.
Brain plasticity and its properties
If we were to mention a mental quality that we should all practice, develop and apply in our daily lives, it would undoubtedly be brain plasticity.
On the other hand, we would all have a fixed mindset that constantly leads to frustration through the realization that things are not always as one wants and expects. Some people do not accept criticism, cannot handle failures and also avoid challenges due to fear of making mistakes.
With this knowledge, we invite you to reformulate your perception of talent. It is true that some people have a natural disposition for certain skills; whether it’s about music, art, technology or clinical psychology. But despite this , these people do not achieve success or well-being if they do not have an elastic mind. Those who really get an advantage are those who open up to new paradigms and leave their fear of failure behind. Let’s see what this is all about.
When ambiguity becomes normal
The world is not black or white. The truth is that reality develops in a variety of unattractive grayish shades that people have to get used to. Thus, brain plasticity makes it easier for people to get used to uncertainty. The work you take for granted today may be lost tomorrow. The person who fully supports you today may not be there for you tomorrow. Everything around you has a touch of uncertainty. This is why it is important to learn how to handle it.
An elastic mind goes beyond the conventional
When we talk about the conventional, we refer to the safe space that is easy for you to get used to. It gives you a sense of stability, tranquility and roots. But if there is one thing you need to understand, it is that life is not static. Life flows, varies, changes and often moves very quickly. One way to survive these changes is to innovate. Going beyond what is conventional is the key to gaining a new perspective.
In order to develop innovative thinking, it is also important to start relying on creativity and intuition. Observation is important, but it is not all that is needed. Analyzing what surrounds you, perceiving the needs of others as well as your own, and applying proactive behavior, are all important ingredients for developing brain plasticity.
Being tolerant of failure: a mistake is a lesson
How people deal with mistakes and failures says a lot about them. On the one hand, they remain blocked with rigid thinking and tend to avoid situations where they feel incompetent. On the other hand, they apply a different vision with an elastic mind. For example, you need to understand that failure is not a reason to give up certain things. Instead , it is an opportunity to learn. Remember that a forced step back is often a way to gain greater strength.
Elastic mind: a brain that feeds on curiosity
If we were to give an example of a person who developed great brain plasticity throughout his life, we must mention Leonardo da Vinci. The Renaissance man par excellence acquired knowledge through observation and experiments that no one had done before.
As we all know, Leonardo da Vinci was far ahead of his time in many areas. He gained most of his knowledge through the gift we all have and which usually peaks in childhood. Yes, we’re talking about curiosity. The elastic mind does not fear change. On the contrary, it seeks this because its constant need to know is its greatest motivation.
Finally, we should mention one thing that the psychiatrist Claude Robert Cloninger pointed out. If people are receptive to news and changes in their daily lives and accept them creatively without fear, their personalities will become stronger. The mind that dares to extend beyond its comfort zone will never be the same again.
