Why people think they like change but don't
5 tips to encourage brain change
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Most people I speak to say they have an open mind. It is curious then, in conversations with them they are keen to tell you their opinion before listening first.
I often find it interesting that many individuals when joining my coaching programs say things like ‘I embrace change’ or ‘I’m open to learn new stuff’. For a select few this might be true.
Have you noticed in your teams, when the significant changes come and it is not quite in line with their current thinking, people push back and justify why their way is better?
The challenge is not only with our will to change but with biology. Our brains are designed and hard wired to learn and then repeat what we have done before.
This is especially true if it helps us shortcut thinking processes to get a positive outcome.
Human brains have remarkable capacity to create, solve problems and build relationships etc, they also have natural limitations.
Evolution has ensured that our brains invest as little energy as possible thinking. Thinking in new ways is expensive in terms of energy (think calories). Your brain already consumes 20/25% of your daily calories. While energy is easy to get hold of in 2020, it wasn’t always like this, so your brain automatically runs old survival programs to make sure we survive by resisting making too many changes in the brain. In humans it takes many years to learn/program enough knowledge to be effective in your environment.
This evolutionary handbrake is why we must work hard and smart to get our brains to have the required self-awareness to know when changes are needed to adapt. When the environment around us is changing fast, staying the same is detrimental.
Those with enough flexibility realise this instinctively, and have strategies to rapidly pivot, adapt and thrive. Those who don’t blame their environment and struggle.
Following are 5 tips to encourage your brain to change faster no matter your age:
Feed your brain what it needs to change: Fresh food, more fat, less carbs and toxins.
Exercise more: This increases oxygen to all cells and importantly your brain. Ever notice you get new insights while moving?
Meditate: Allow yourself to be relaxed and even be bored sometimes. The mind looks for answers in the space between busy moments.
Hire a mentor or coach: Find someone you resonate with who will challenge your current thinking.
Use rapid prototyping: Give yourself a short window of time to try new things/ideas. Aim for fast implementation not perfection. Perfectionism is the curse of innovation.