“But just think how it would be if everyone else looked at things as you do – what would the world be like?”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
Introduction
Introduction
Let’s look at conformity thinking again: Thinking conformity can happen when people change their opinions to align with the majority opinion of a group. It occurs when people are influenced by the beliefs or behaviors of others and feel pressure to conform to the group’s standards. This can be seen in many aspects of life, such as fashion trends, political opinions, and social norms. People may conform to the group’s opinion because they want to fit in and be accepted, or because they fear being rejected if they don’t. Thinking conformity can lead to a lack of creativity and critical thinking, as well as a lack of individualism.
We have amazing brains. We can change any pattern, behaviour, or habit, as long as we take decisive action. Why? The brain is malleable – malleability of the brain refers to its ability to change, grow and adapt in response to new experiences and learning, as well as making a decision to change. This process is also known as neuroplasticity. It means that the brain can rewire itself in response to stimuli, leading to changes in behavior and cognition.
This malleability is due to the presence of dendrites and axons, which are structures that allow neurons to form new connections and re-arrange existing ones. The formation of new neural connections and changes in the strength of existing ones underlie the process of learning and memory.
Overall, the malleability of the brain is a critical component of our ability to learn and adapt to new environments, which is essential for our survival and success in life.
The Courage to Change Your Thinking
The Courage to Change Your Thinking
Even though our brains are wired for change, it takes courage to break the cycle of unwanted thinking habits and to start thinking differently! It is an important part of your personal development and allows you to explore your own thoughts and beliefs; challenging limited believes and negative thoughts; embracing new experiences and perspectives and cultivating positive habits and attitudes.
The quality of your thoughts can have a significant impact on the quality of your life. Practicing mindfulness and creative thinking can help to reshape the neural pathways in your brain and improve your overall well-being. Additionally, engaging in activities that promote neuroplasticity, such as learning new skills or practicing meditation, can also help to change the structure and function of your brain.
Taking Control of Your Thinking
Taking Control of Your Thinking
Your thinking is the essence of who you are. It is therefore important to identify your way of thinking, to identify any forms of negative or closed thinking in order to change your thinking – and in so doing to change your strategies, business, your futures, and your life.
Once you allow constant negative thinking to take hold in your life, your thinking becomes conditioned and boxed in. You begin to respond in this conditioned way towards specific experiences, people, ideas and change – until the process intensifies and you think and act negatively towards everything. Dr Kobus Neethling, President of the SA Creativity Foundation, calls it ‘Below the line thinking’ and says it makes us defensive, full of resentment and irrational. By thinking (and therefore living!) below the line, you lock in your power and energy instead of setting it free in order to reach your full potential and to fly.
To develop into a creative PERSON you need to take responsibility for your thinking.
Coming Forth Into the Light
I was born the day
I thought:
What is?
What was?
And
What if?
I was transformed the day
My ego shattered,
And all the superficial, material
Things that mattered
To me before,
Suddenly ceased
To matter.
I really came into being
The day I no longer cared about
What the world thought of me,
Only on my thoughts for
Changing the world.
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem