Plasticity In The Brain: How To Achieve An Elastic Mind?
Albert Einstein said that the true potential of human intelligence depended on the ability to adapt, the ability to change. Being able to see things from different perspectives, appreciate new ideas and be able to get rid of unnecessary or useless concepts is one of the most amazing virtues we as humans have. That said, it is no surprise that concepts such as plasticity in the brain and the idea of an elastic mind are widely known and studied in psychology as well as art.
A few years ago, at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York, they held an exhibition that represented this idea. Our society lives in a period where everything is constantly changing. As the years go by, technology and science become more and more important for how we experience reality, how we work, relate to others and how we understand the world.
In books such as Design and The Elastic Mind by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Peter Hall, Libby Hruska, and Rebecca Roberts, we can thus find out more about the need to develop a way of thinking that is more elastic. Only by developing this ability will we be able to survive and master an ever-changing environment. An environment where we are often forced to improvise and react quickly to solve more than one challenge.
Achieving plasticity in the brain is far from easy. The brain is usually very resistant to change and clings to what it is used to and comfortable with. However, developing the ability for more flexible thought patterns can lead to very positive changes as a consequence.
Plasticity in the brain and what characterizes it
If we were to discuss one mental quality that everyone should be trained, developed and used in everyday life, there would undoubtedly be plasticity in the brain.
On the contrary, we would all have a fixed mindset that is constantly frustrated to realize that not everything is always as one wants and expects. Some people cannot cope with criticism, are unable to deal with their mistakes and avoid challenges because they are afraid of failure.
Now that we are aware of this, we invite you to reformulate what you put into the concept of talent. It is true that certain people show a natural disposition for certain talents. Whether it’s music, art, engineering or clinical psychology. Despite the talent they already have, they are unlikely to achieve success if they do not have an elastic mind. Those who open up to new paradigms and leave the fear of failure behind are the ones who want the greatest benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what this is all about.
When ambiguity becomes normal
Things are never black or white. The truth is that reality unfolds in a series of unattractive shades of gray that people have to get used to. Thus, plasticity in the brain makes it easier for people to get used to uncertainty and ambiguity. The job you take for granted today may disappear tomorrow. The person who supports you today may not be there tomorrow. Everything around us has a touch of uncertainty. That is why it is so important to learn how to deal with it.
Plasticity in the brain goes beyond the conventional
When we talk about the conventional, we are talking about the space you create for yourself where everything is safe and familiar. It’s easy to get used to. It gives a feeling of permanence, silence and security. However, if there is one thing you need to understand, it is that life is not static. Life is fluid, there are endless variations, it changes and moves very fast. One way to survive these constant changes is to innovate. Going beyond, and beyond, what is common, is the key to a new perspective.
In order to develop innovative thinking, it is also important to start relying on your creativity and intuition. Observation is important, but it is not the only thing that is needed. Analyzing what is around you, perceiving the needs of others as well as your own and acting proactively are all important parts of developing plasticity in the brain.
Tolerance for mistakes: a mistake is an opportunity for learning
The way a person handles mistakes and failures says a lot about them. On the one hand, rigid thought patterns will remain blocked. They tend to avoid situations where they feel incompetent. On the other hand, an elastic mind uses a different approach. For example, you need to understand that failure or failure is not a reason to give in to certain things. Instead, it is an opportunity for learning and development. Remember that being forced to take a step back is often an opportunity to increase your strength.
The elastic mind: a brain that lives on curiosity
If we were to give an example of a figure who developed great plasticity in the brain, it must be Leonardo Da Vinci. A Renaissance man who, above all, acquired knowledge through observation and experimentation.
As we all know, Da Vinci was ahead of his time in many areas. He acquired most of the knowledge he put on through a gift we all have, and which usually peaks in childhood. Yes, we’m talking about curiosity here. The elastic mind does not fear change. On the contrary, it seeks change because its constant need for knowledge is its greatest motivation.
In conclusion, we will mention something the psychiatrist Claude Robert Cloninger pointed out. If people are receptive to new things and changes in everyday life and accept them in creative ways without fear, their personality will be strengthened. The mind that dares to stretch beyond its comfort zone will never be the same again.
