"ORIGINAL THINKERS All Share This ONE HABIT For SUCCESS!" | Adam Grant & Lewis Howes

Mental Flexibility

Adam Grant emphasizes the importance of mental flexibility in navigating life's challenges. He suggests setting aside time for rethinking, which involves reflecting on disagreements or unsettling ideas to understand their impact on our beliefs and identities 1. This practice encourages curiosity and detachment from rigid viewpoints, allowing us to explore different perspectives. Grant notes, "If mental flexibility is your goal, then you probably want to burst your filter bubble as much as possible."

It's an excuse for me to go back and reflect on the week and say, all right, maybe there's a disagreement or a debate that I had, or maybe I read something that I was kind of annoyed by.

--- Adam Grant

Additionally, he acknowledges the balance between preaching and rethinking, advocating for a thoughtful approach to sharing ideas and learning from others 2.

   

Embracing Mistakes

Embracing the possibility of being wrong is a crucial step towards personal growth. Adam Grant shares insights from Danny Kahneman, who finds joy in discovering his mistakes, viewing them as opportunities to learn and become less wrong 3. This mindset fosters curiosity and reduces defensiveness, encouraging a provisional attachment to ideas rather than rigid beliefs. Grant explains, "Every time I find out I might be wrong about something, my new practice is to say, okay, is this a sign that I've learned something?"

The key for me is recognizing that I don't ever like being wrong, but I benefit a lot from having been wrong and finding that out.

--- Danny Kahneman

He also discusses the challenge of letting go of beliefs that no longer serve us, highlighting the tendency to think like preachers or prosecutors, which can hinder open-mindedness 4.

   

Creative Flexibility

Mental flexibility can significantly enhance creativity and innovation. Adam Grant recounts how his mentor encouraged him to "unleash your inner magician," using the element of surprise to captivate audiences and foster creative thinking 5. This approach parallels the counterintuitive nature of psychology, where unexpected outcomes can lead to new insights. Grant reflects, "One of my favorite things about doing magic tricks, and what I love most about psychology, is how often it's counterintuitive."

You need to unleash your inner magician.

--- Jane Dutton

He also stresses the importance of balancing action with reflection, as constant activity without time for contemplation can stifle creativity 6.