As unique individuals, we think individually. Our own experiences have shaped our belief systems. Our learnings from those experiences also shape how we think. Our thinking patterns impact the quality of our decisions, problem-solving abilities, and even future experiences.

However, we can change how we perceive the world around us. Learning and adopting new ways of thinking improves our problem-solving abilities and leads to greater happiness.

If you want to change certain areas of your life—work, personal relationships, your health—then you need to change the way you think. However, changing the way you think means changing how you spend your time. And changing how you spend your time means changing your habits.

You get to decide what you want and need to change and how.

Note that this article is about changing the way you think, not your values or belief system. However, to change your thinking, you must first understand neuroplasticity and the cognitive process behind habit development.

How Our Brains Work

Experts continuously study the cognitive processes in the human brain, specifically how we think about and perceive what we hear and see and how we process situations, issues, experiences, and events.

In his book Thinking, Fast and Slow, author Daniel Kahneman discusses the two dominant systems in the human mind: System 1 and System 2. Here are the characteristics of each:

Characteristics of “System 1”:

• Acts as the “first responder” to processing events, experiences, and answering questions
• Generates first impressions, feelings, and inclinations
• Operates automatically and quickly, with little or no effort, energy, or voluntary control
• Creates “coherent” ideas and stories based on face value without looking deeper
• Creates a sense of cognitive ease to illusions of truth, pleasant and comfortable feelings
• Focuses on existing evidence and ignores the absent
• Jumps to conclusions
• Overweights low-probability events

Characteristics of “System 2”:

• Allocates attention to high-effort mental activities, such as performing complex computations and solving problems
• Questions conclusions and the validity of those conclusions
• Associates with subjective experiences

Although both “System 1” and “System 2” are active while we are awake, they function at different speeds. “System 1” reacts and responds, and “System 2” sits comfortably in standby mode. “System 2” is slower to activate and question information. Habits are a prime example of “System 1” at work.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Although “System 2” requires more effort to activate, it is possible to “rewire” our brains to change how we think and learn new information and skills. This process is known as Neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity can help you:

• Develop new habits
• Unlearning unhealthy or toxic habits
• Look at the world in new ways
• Learn new skills
• Improve your emotional intelligence
• Improve your focus
• Obtain clarity of thought

Changing Your Thinking Means Changing Your Habits

Now that we have explored a little bit about how we think and our cognitive processes, let’s dive into how habits form.

How Do We Form Habits?

As human beings, we are “creatures of habit”. Depending on the level of complexity of the habit, and the individual, it can take an average of 18 days to up to a year to form a new habit. In large part, we can blame habit formation on “System 1”. Here are several subconscious processes that occur:

Path Dependence: This is the concept of forming a habit due to a reason, experience, or circumstance that has occurred in the past that is no longer relevant.

Similarities: We form habits based on the similarities or mental connections between new experiences and previous experiences. These connections inform us of what we should do in a familiar situation. We are likely to perform an action, and inevitably develop a new habit, when a new situation to one in which the habit has applied in a previous experience.

Environment: Habits are also driven by your mental and physical environments. One element of your environment, such as a memory, sight, or smell, pushes you toward performing a specific action, which is “System 1” at work. However, inhibiting that action involves activating “System 2,” which requires significantly more mental energy. Additionally, whenever we are sad or scared, our natural emotional reaction is to refer back to something familiar. This is often why it’s difficult to break habits.

10 Things You Can Do to Change Your Thinking

When we think about habits, we often attribute those to negative things, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, biting fingernails, or eating late at night. These are arguably “bad habits”. However, habits can be positive. Even though a great deal of habit development happens subconsciously, that doesn’t mean we don’t have the power to change them.

Here are some things you can do to change your thinking and build new brain pathways:

1. Get Enough Sleep

Remember, the state of your body affects your state of mind. (If you have read my blogs, then you know one of my mantras is a healthy body is a healthy mind.)

If you are tired or stressed, then you will struggle with paying attention, or performing the simplest of tasks, which hinder your ability to learn and retain new information and your motivation.

Learn your body’s rhythms. If an afternoon nap, walk, or cup of coffee helps you recharge, learn to recognize them and turn those activities into regular habits.

2. Try Something New

If there is a new hobby or activity you’ve always wanted to try—or one you’ve been afraid to try—then use this as an opportunity to change your thinking. Why? Trying new things allows you to engage in new experiences, explore new things, and open your mind, changing how you think and, ultimately, how you see the world.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that we tend to only feel open to trying a new activity or learning something new when we feel happy. When we are feeling sad or upset, we are less likely to try something new, and tend to desire the familiar.

For example, if you had plans with a friend on a Friday evening to try rock climbing, but your boss gave you a difficult time about a project you have been stressed out about, this will likely change your mood. It might make you feel sad, or even more stressed out. Suddenly those rock climbing plans you had with your friend that you originally looked forward to no longer sound appealing. But staying in and watching a familiar show on Netflix does.

3. Sharpen Your Critical Thinking

Changing your thinking begins with critical thinking skills. Critical thinking enables you to challenge a question on your own and others’ beliefs and opinions. Critical thinking involves pinpointing conclusions and asking the right questions, which can be difficult. Like anything, this takes practice. In fact, reading is one of the simplest habits you can develop to help improve your critical thinking skills.

Over time, sharpening your critical thinking skills can change and improve the quality of your thinking and your communication.

4. Read More

In addition to improving your critical thinking skills, studies have also shown that reading not only boosts emotional intelligence but also the quality of cognitive processes. Reading is exercise for your brain. And the beauty of it? It doesn’t matter what you read. It could be the Book of Proverbs or Plato. Read regularly.

5. Play Computer Games

Yes, the act of playing computer games is similar to doing puzzles. It increases motor skills and reaction times, strengthening the brain.

To test this theory, I played “The Sims” for 30 days, and here’s what I learned from that experience:

• It allowed me to forget the things plaguing my mind and increased my focus.
• It reminded me of the importance of our basic needs—food, water, and shelter, as we learned from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
• It reminded me of the importance of living simplistically.
• I started sleeping better.

6. Use a Method for Acquiring New Information

Everyone learns differently. You may have to experiment with how you learn new information best. Here are some methods you can try:

• Use “The Role of 3” – When learning new topics, what are the three most important takeaways? This will help you retain key information and avoid “cramming” or overwhelming yourself with details.
  
• Ask Questions – Asking questions is one of the best things you can do when learning new information. Although you might feel like a five-year-old who persistently asks “why?” after every answer you give him, this is an incredibly effective method to close any knowledge gaps and develop a deep understanding of the new topic.
  
• Rate Yourself – This might sound harsh, but when learning something new, rate yourself when applying it. For example, when I go to pole class, and I’m learning a new trick or skill, at the end of class, I “rate” myself on how well I did during the class. This also tells me what I need to work on in between classes. This method sets the bar high and pushes you to improve.
  
• Teach Yourself – When learning something new, you can test your knowledge by teaching yourself. Teaching yourself improves the quality of causal knowledge and closes gaps. Develop the habit of teaching new things to yourself, testing theories, and applying them.
  
• Beware of Deadly Distractions – When considering the process of information absorption, distractions are our greatest enemies. You might feel like you are learning something new or that you are focused on a new topic, however there might be noises, notifications, or other distractions in the background preventing us from truly learning and absorbing new information. Even these small things can disrupt the quality of the learning process.

7. Fast Intermittently

What does eating have to do with thinking? Believe it or not, what you eat and when you eat impact your focus. Like sleep, this can hinder your motivation and ability to think, make quality decisions, and learn and retain new information. Intermittent fasting provides not only physical benefits but also mental benefits.

8. Use a Habit Tracker

As you work on changing and adopting new habits, accountability is key. Use a habit tracker to track how often you do—or don’t do—the thing.

I use a “scorecard” that I developed. This allows me to track new ways of thinking and learning and how often I do them daily. You can download a free copy of my scorecard here.

9. Develop Healthier Boundaries

Regardless of what we might believe or what we are taught to believe, it’s okay to set and stick to your boundaries. It might feel uncomfortable, but sticking to your guns and knowing when to be positively assertive to protect those boundaries are different ways of thinking that can help you shift your mindset for better results.

10. Imagine Yourself Doing Good Things

When we imagine ourselves doing good things, we are more likely to do those good things. The more frequently you do this, the more it will become an automatic action and a good habit.

Better Thinking Means Better Habits

All in all, your habits can make or break you. The right habits are the building blocks of success. Remember, a positive environment leads to positive habits. And better thinking means better habits.