Cognitive rigidity

Cognitive rigidity is exactly as it sounds: an inflexibility to a different way of thinking and acting – even when those ways of thinking and acting are ineffective. And while cognitive rigidity can be a result of neuropsychiatric disorders, you bet it shows up in the daily lives of all people too. Our brains like stability – it means they know what to expect; they don’t have to assess any new potential threats. Naturally, new stuff is just uncomfortable (to greater or lesser degrees for some people). So without a pause and intentional thought, we’re generally going to default to the tools we know how to use instead of the ones we don’t – even if those untried tools would better serve us.

It's possible we’re each hanging on to stuff from the past that used to be useful to us – ways of being, thinking, hiding, speaking, emoting, behaving. These were helpful to get us through life and make sense of it. Maybe these ways worked really well at one point but feel dull now. Maybe we’ve grown a little since then, circumstances have changed, or we’re noticing we’re not getting the results we want. It might be time to let go, to drop the rock we’re clinging to and try a new way to stay afloat.

Coaching is an active resistance to cognitive rigidity, as its central focus is reflecting on and challenging words, thoughts, actions, and beliefs. My coaching won’t resolve your history; rather, I want to hear how those old thoughts and behaviors are showing up for you today, so you can see how they’re keeping you stuck. The ones deeply ingrained. The ones you might not even recognize right away. A provocative question I sometimes hear from coaches is: what do you have to change about yourself to have the life you want?

Cognitive rigidity = an inability to think outside your mental box. Now that you have a name for it, be mindful this week of where you’re forcing an outdated idea where it won’t fit, where your tried-and-true’s don’t have the same impact they once did. If you notice this, see if you can approach your situation from a different angle, perspective, or resource. The awareness alone will be helpful. If that doesn’t work, let’s chat here.

Go get ‘em this week.