In a changing world it is easy to make assumptions that no longer hold true. One of the commonest ways of doing this is called ‘blinkered thinking’ or ‘extreme thinking’.
Blinkered thinking happens when we only see part of the picture. We see the world in terms of extreme opposites: either “utter failure” or “success beyond our wildest dreams.” We make mountains out of relatively small molehills or we ignore the elephant in the room. Reality, of course, lies somewhere in between.
To get a better grip on what is really happening, we first need to recognise that the blinkered or extreme thinking is happening. The key sign to look out for is the use of extreme words: such as “everybody”/“nobody,” “always”/“never,” “impossible”/“inevitable”, “entirely”/“not even slightly”, and so on. If we are the person suffering from the extreme thinking, these can be surprisingly difficult to spot. But anybody who uses words like these could well be suffering from extreme thinking.
Once we have spotted the words, the next step is to realise that these extreme thoughts are not reality, they are only assumptions — and in a changing world those assumptions might no longer hold true. So then identify what is the opposite of the extreme. And then look for the possibilities that lie between the two: here is where reality lies, and as you look more closely you will find it. You might confirm that, “Yes, the extreme thinking is correct, and these are the specific reasons why it is correct.” This will bring you new clarity about what actions to take. But more likely, you will realise that the situation is not quite as bad (or not as rosy) as it is being painted. That opens up a gap of possibility. And once again, your actions can then become clearer. (Chapter Two describes this in more detail.)
Spotting elephants and molehills is a key step to recognising when we and other people are in the grip of extreme thinking. That enables us to build a more accurate understanding of the situation. And that then enables us to find and take the actions that will make us more likely to create the outcomes we want.
Can you think of a politician or a talk show host who loves to make mountains out of molehills, stirring up passion about something that doesn’t really matter, or who is ignoring the elephant in the room? Are you or is someone you know personally doing this? What would be a more balanced assessment of reality?
Adapted from The Churning, Inner Leadership: a framework and tools for building inspiration in times of change.
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