How to “Think Different”—It’s a Habit, Not an Activity

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in square holes.”

This quote was the opening line of Apple Inc’s 1997 ad campaign known for the slogan “Think Different.” When you learn how to “think different,” you develop habits that make you successful in your personal and professional life.

The last line of the ad says, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

Are you ready to see that kind of change in your life? Then let’s get started.

 

“Think Different” definition

 

If you stick with what you’ve already been doing, you will only accomplish what you have already done. One definition of thinking differently is replacing your current thought patterns with new ideas. These ideas can challenge your mindset, your community, or the world.

Thinking differently isn’t an activity you only do when you want inspiration. Instead, it’s a subconscious, daily habit that affects every area of your life.

 

5 ways to make different thinking a habit

Here are five ways that you can change your current mindset to start thinking differently.

 

1. Retrain your brain from negative thoughts

Negative thoughts are part of being human but shouldn’t get in the way of your ambitions.

Psychologists connect negative thoughts to a myriad of mental health issues, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic worry
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

These thought patterns drain you of motivation and fill your mind with the lie that you aren’t good enough. While positivity is a good thing, masking your negative thoughts with forced positivity can be toxic. 

Instead, replace your negative thoughts with realistic expectations. For example, instead of switching “I can’t do this” for “I can do this,” say, “I will try my best to do this, and if I fail, I can always try again until I succeed.”

A realistic mindset gives you the power to embrace challenges and build resiliency. Creating a mantra like “I am enough” that you repeat every day is one way to make this thinking a habit.

Mantras from SCL Health

 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

The best leaders are also students. So if you want to be a leader in your industry, begin by asking questions that help you learn more about the world around you and encourage you to think differently in business.

• How does something work? 
• How can I improve it? 
• Why do people think and act a certain way?

A curious mind paves the way to new ideas.

Not sure where to start? Just follow your gut. For example, if you are in a situation that doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

 

3. See situations from different perspectives

If you want to think differently about a situation, you have to be willing to consider other perspectives. For example, if you have ever seen a Monet painting, you know that you have to stand back to appreciate the piece. However, his paintings change from soft landscapes to blurs of color streaked on a canvas if you move too close.

Sometimes we are too close or too far away from an idea to think clearly. Instead of remaining in the same rut, try seeing the thought in a big picture setting. Next, zoom into more minor details of the idea and explore your options.

Even turning your brain off helps with thinking clearly. For example, when you take a shower or are falling asleep, your mind begins to relax. These times can foster new or creative ideas.

You shouldn’t save all your brainstorming for when you are behind a desk. Exercise is another way of fueling your creativity. Studies show that physical activities like walking, running, or swimming boost cognitive activities.

Being open-minded helps you see all the possible angles of a problem and think of an effective solution.

 

4. Dare to dream

An example of thinking differently is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a dreamer who followed his passions and broke free from the ideas of his time to create a better dream for the future.

Every great leader starts with a dream based on their passions. These dreams don’t have to be grounded. They can break social norms or be different from anything you have ever tried before. (Even if it means taking risks and leaving the safety of predictability behind.)

Sometimes you may never see your dream realized in your lifetime. But that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Instead, create smaller goals along the way as attainable stepping stones.

For example, if you want to run a marathon, don’t immediately jump into that long race with no training. If you did, you might not succeed. However, if you start by training one mile at a time until you’ve worked up to 26.2 miles, every mile you run is a success and brings you closer to your end goal.

Having small successes along the way will motivate you to keep moving forward.

 

5. Give yourself personal feedback

Not every idea you come up with will be a winner. Sometimes you will make mistakes, and that’s okay. Mistakes are part of the learning process, so your next idea can be better.

Every decision you make or new idea you generate should come with feedback. Ask yourself the positives and negatives of the idea. You can also ask trusted friends for their opinions before you run with the idea.

 

How to think different in your life

Your brain is a muscle. Just like all your muscles, the more you work it, the stronger it will become. Therefore, the more time you spend practicing different thinking, the easier it will be. Eventually, you won’t even realize you are using those five strategies for thinking outside the box. It will just happen naturally.

What are you ready to think differently about?

If you want to become the best version of yourself, start learning essential skills for life with Vector.