About Flexible Thinking
If you are unsure about a situation, what can you do?
Talk to a trusted family member or friend.
Ask the person directly and maybe they can tell you what is going on.
Kevin wanted to continue to play video games at home, but his parents ask him to do something else. Kevin pauses or saves his game so he can find out what his parents want him to do.
Flexible. Kevin realized that he could go back and play his game later. He might just have to do one quick thing and can take another break after doing some work.
You loan your friend money to get something at the store but they don't give you the money back the next day.
He forgot to give it to you the next day.
He didn't know that you wanted the money back. He thought you were just being nice.
Your parent asks you to stop playing video games. Why might they ask you to do this?
They want you to do something outside.
They want your help with something.
It is time to do house work.
You are waiting in a line and someone buts in front of you.
They didn't realize where the line formed.
They didn't see you standing in line.
Why is it important to think of different perspectives?
Everyone thinks differently. Just because one person thinks something, it doesn't make it true. Our perspective is not the only perspective. To have positive relationships, we have to consider everyone's point of view.
Molly notices her friend is upset when she arrives shortly after a doctor's appointment.
Flexible. She considers why her friend might be upset and then goes to talk to her directly.
You are talking with a friend when they suddenly get up and walk away.
They remembered they were supposed to do something and needed to leave.
Someone called them away.
They thought the conversation was done.
They wanted to talk to someone else.
You notice that someone has been in your room.
Your parents had to put your clothes away.
They were cleaning.
When playing a game, someone keeps blurting out answers and interrupting others.
They are really excited about what they are playing.
They weren't aware that it may be rude to interrupt others or answer all of the questions.
They think they are being funny.
How can two people think differently about the same situation?
We have different upbringings and experiences, so we see the world differently. We believe in different values sometimes. That is what makes us all different.
Greg's supervisor wants to talk to him after work. He stays so he can find out why, since he isn't sure.
Flexible. He didn't rush to judgement about why his supervisor wants to talk to him.
You are talking with your friend about your dog and they start crying. Why might this happen?
Her dog is sick or passed away.
She wants a dog but doesn't have one.
She is upset about something else.
It is your birthday and your dad asks you to go wait in your room for ten minutes.
They are getting your present ready.
People are hiding to surprise you.
The cashier at the store does not give you enough change back when you handed her your money.
She miscounted when providing you with change.
She was in a hurry and made a simple mistake.
She didn't realize how much money you originally gave her.
How can flexible thinking skills help you?
Flexible thinking skills help you deal with problems. Not everyone thinks the same way.
Laura gets mad at her friend when she does not answer her question right away.
RIGID. She is mad right away without thinking WHY her friend isn't answering her.
You ask a friend to borrow a pen and they say no.
They might need it for the moment.
They may only have one pen.
They may be worried you will lose it.
Your parents text you and tell you then need to talk with you when you get home.
They have good news to share wtih you
They may be sharing some difficult news, but they are also thinking of positive solutions to help the situation.
Your meeting at Tailor Institute was cancelled.
The group leader might be sick.
The weather may be bad.
There might've been a last minute emergency.
What does it mean to be a flexible thinker?
A flexible thinker is someone who can see different sides of a situation. They can think in many different ways.
Sam is worried about finding a friend to go with him to the movies because he knows that no one wants to go with him.
Rigid Thinking. He is assuming no onw will want to go to the movies with him before the situation happens.
Your friend is whispering something to someone else. When you get close they stop. Why might this have happened?
They just happened to be finished talking.
They are talking about you.
They are talking about a secret that is not about you but want to keep it private.
You ask to stay home sick today and your parents say no, that they want you to try to go to work.
They know you aren't feeling sick, otherwise you could stay home.
They know you might be nervous about something at work ( problem with coworkers, a big project, etc.) and want to encourage you to be brave. You might feel like your stomach is in knots.
You've waited for 45 minutes in the waiting room at the doctor's office.
The doctor may be running behind because they have a lot of patients to see that day.
There might've been a medical emergency with another patient.