The Mindset Shift: How to Harness Change and Innovation for a Successful Future

The global lockdown sparked a collective fantasy: that people would fundamentally change their way of thinking, using the extra time for self-reflection and re-evaluation of life’s true value. Many hoped the exceptional circumstances would trigger lasting changes. However, the first noticeable shifts were most often rooted in fear—responses to the stress, confusion, and uncertainty of this unprecedented situation, which has lasted very long. But overcoming such disruption requires a different, more constructive approach.

Understanding the Stress Response: Hormones and Cognitive Function

At the core of our ability to think and act effectively lies our body’s hormonal responses. In stressful situations, hormones like cortisol and adrenaline surge, priming us to respond as though facing a life-threatening enemy. These hormones are essential for survival, but they also hinder our ability to innovate and reinvent ourselves. While cortisol readies us for immediate survival, it directly opposes serotonin—the hormone crucial for creativity and open-minded thinking.

This imbalance creates a loop: stress triggers cortisol, which inhibits creative thinking, limiting our ability to innovate. So, how do we break free from this cycle?

Shifting Focus: From Stress to Opportunity

The key to unlocking creativity and innovation lies in shifting our mental focus. Instead of dwelling on problems and scarcity, we need to practice appreciative thinking—focusing on what we have, what works, and what holds value. Although this shift may seem difficult under stressful conditions, it’s crucial. When we make this change, serotonin starts to flow, opening our minds to positive possibilities. Dopamine kicks in as well, sparking enthusiasm and the motivation to act.

Cultivating Creative Thinking in a Post-COVID World

As an executive coach, my role is to guide clients beyond their current limitations, helping them reach their maximum potential. The people who will thrive in a post-COVID world will be those who think unconventionally, constantly integrating observation, learning, reflection, and innovation into their daily lives.

But how do you cultivate this type of thinking? Here are some foundational practices I’ve developed over decades of personal and professional growth, which can help you stay ahead of the curve:

1. Embrace New Experiences
   Travel, explore new environments, and meet people outside your usual circles. Immerse yourself in sensory experiences and temporarily disconnect from your digital devices. The virtual environments we’ve been confined to during lockdown give the illusion of seeing the world, but they actually distance us from reality. By observing real-world phenomena—both big and small—we gather insights that spark fresh ideas and open new paths for success.
2. Nurture Curiosity
   Curiosity is the foundation of creativity. Ask questions, follow your passions, and approach new experiences with a sense of wonder, as if seeing the world through a child’s eyes. This mindset expands the boundaries of your thinking. Spend time diving deeper into subjects that interest you, moving beyond the surface-level engagement encouraged by social media scrolling. Depth, not speed, is what fuels meaningful innovation.
3. Let Ideas Marinate
   Don’t rush to fully develop your ideas immediately. Allow them to mature over time. Create a space for them to evolve, whether through journaling, dynamic mood boards, or a dedicated idea archive. Revisit these ideas later to assess their impact from a broader perspective. This process allows you to refine your ideas and present them in a way that makes them appealing to others.

Unlocking Innovation Through Alternative Thinking Strategies

Thinking differently isn’t just a passive activity—it’s an active choice. Over the years, I’ve studied various thinking strategies that can boost creativity and problem-solving. Here’s how adopting different mental frameworks can help you generate groundbreaking ideas:

• Think Like a Detective:
  • Observe without judgment.
  • Form multiple hypotheses.
  • Distance yourself from the problem to create unexpected connections.
  • Stay mindful of biases and validate ideas with objective rigor.
• Adopt a Philosopher’s Approach:
  • Question everything—take nothing for granted.
  • Use everyday experiences to challenge your assumptions.
  • Identify weaknesses in your ideas and refine the problem before jumping to solutions.
  • Explore multiple alternatives to strengthen your conclusions.
• Sculpt Your Ideas Like an Artist:
  • Focus on potential, not just what’s immediately in front of you.
  • Strip away unnecessary details until you’ve captured the essence.
  • Look at your ideas from different perspectives to find what’s unique and valuable.
  • Distill the uncommon from the common, revealing fresh insights.

Building Your Post-COVID Success

If you’re curious about how these ideas can help shape your future in the post-COVID world, I invite you to connect with me and my company on LinkedIn. Together, we can explore how to cultivate a mindset that fosters creativity, innovation, and success in this new reality. Here’s to creating a thriving future, full of opportunities, from the rubble of the old world.