Does Your Mental Set Need A Tune-Up?

The term “mental set” generally refers to the tendency to fall back on past solutions rather than create new ones. While a mental set may not be automatically good or bad, you can adjust your mental set to be more flexible through various practices. These practices can include developing problem-solving skills, practicing mindfulness and meditation, setting and achieving goals, and engaging in positive self-talk. Another effective method of enhancing your mental set may be to work with a licensed therapist in person or online.

What is a mental set?

In general, everyone problem-solves, whether they’re at work, at home, or out in the world. There can be many different ways to solve a problem, but sometimes, there is a tendency to fall back on solutions that have worked in the past instead of innovating new ways. This is often called a “mental set.”

One study explains, “A mental set generally refers to the brain’s tendency to stick with the most familiar solution to a problem and stubbornly ignore alternatives. This tendency is likely driven by previous knowledge (the long-term mental set) or is a temporary by-product of procedural learning (the short-term mental set).” 

While a mental set may not be inherently good or bad, it can be helpful to remain aware of it. For individuals interested in enhancing their mental set to be more flexible, there are mental habits that can be easily incorporated.

Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness and meditation can be used separately or together to improve mental well-being and flexibility. Even though these practices are often recommended for stress management, they can also enhance a mental set through increased problem-solving skills and open-mindedness. 

Mindfulness is usually referred to as the practice of staying in the present moment without judging what is happening around you. Specifically, this can refer to paying attention to your thoughts and emotions without judging them. By not judging emotions as they occur, it can free us from the idea that a feeling is “right” or “wrong” or “good” or “bad”.

One significant benefit of mindfulness (especially for enhancing a mental set) is that it can be practiced anywhere. Since the idea is to be fully engaged in the moment, that moment can be out at a restaurant, hanging out at home, or chatting with a friend. Training your mind to tune out distractions through mindfulness can help you see solutions more clearly when solving problems.

Mindfulness can also promote mental flexibility and open-mindedness. Individuals who practice mindfulness often find it easier to switch between perspectives and tasks. This can directly correlate to an enhanced mental set because someone already accustomed to looking at a problem from multiple angles will likely approach new issues the same way. 

Similarly, meditation and mindfulness can reduce the influence of personal bias or the tendency to fall back on old patterns. Because both practices usually emphasize acknowledging each thought as it appears, it can become easier for individuals to “sort” through their thoughts and determine which might lead to the most effective solution.

Meditation is another practice that can strengthen problem-solving skills and enhance the mental set. Individuals practicing meditation often become more comfortable focusing on something specific. Many meditators use their breath, while others may use a mantra or thought. Regardless of what they focus on, the intentional focus over time can train the mind to concentrate. 

Individuals who meditate may find it easier to create multiple solutions to a problem instead of remaining stuck on one. Meditation can also make individuals more empathetic and compassionate. Staying in touch with emotional states and experiences typically makes it more likely for an individual to be open-minded about the emotions and experiences of those around them. These traits can lead to better collaboration and overall problem-solving skills.

Goal-setting and positive self-talk 

If you want to be more open-minded and make problem-solving easier, setting goals and engaging in positive self-talk can both be important. Setting goals and speaking positively to oneself can help you overcome negative thought patterns and prioritize solutions. 

Forbes quotes Carol Dweck, Stanford psychologist and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, as saying, “Your beliefs and thoughts play a pivotal role in success. Whether conscious or subconscious, they strongly affect what we want and whether we succeed in getting it. Much of what we think we understand of our personality comes from our ‘mindset.’ This both propels us and prevents us from fulfilling our potential.” A mental set can be similar to a mindset in that both can be positive or negative when overcoming challenges, but it depends on the perspective. 

Goal setting can be approached from a variety of perspectives, but SMART goals are often especially popular. SMART goals are normally specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound so that they can be easily tracked for progress. Goals should align with personal values and aspirations when possible, potentially making the individual more likely to complete them. 

Accomplishing goals often leads to improved confidence and increased motivation, which can both be beneficial in enhancing the mental set. Goals can encourage open-mindedness because individuals must usually evaluate different methods of accomplishing the goal before starting the journey. Considering different approaches can help them be more open to other solutions when problem-solving.

Self-talk typically refers to the way an individual speaks to themselves. Those who engage in positive self-talk tend to be likelier to use uplifting and empowering language to encourage themselves. By repeatedly choosing positive ways to describe themselves, they can replace negative thought patterns with positive ones. Positive self-talk is also usually linked to high self-esteem and confidence, which can enhance mental flexibility and help achieve goals, both of which can be important for enhancing mental sets. 

Finally, positive self-talk can increase open-mindedness because individuals may be more likely to question negative beliefs they may be holding onto. Replacing negative self-talk with positive self-talk can result in approaching challenges with a growth or solution-oriented mindset. 

Mindset shift

Sometimes, tools may not be enough to enhance the mental set, and a total mindset shift may be necessary. A mindset can be indicative of an individual’s approach to problem-solving and is usually a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. 

Fixed mindsets typically involve the belief that abilities are innate and cannot be changed, while a growth mindset usually believes that abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Individuals with a growth mindset are often more open-minded and tend to improve their problem-solving skills constantly.

Some may find it helpful to approach a problem with a different mindset altogether. If past solutions and fixed mindsets aren’t working, Forbes recommends trying one of the following:

• “Beginner's mindset—one that remains open to learning and seeing things with a fresh set of eyes every time. Evolving as a leader requires this openness to change, to dynamic interpretations of situations that would otherwise be quickly and easily dismissed. There's also a sense of playfulness that I believe comes with approaching business challenges in this way, allowing for creative solutions that might be overlooked by a more stringent, traditional way of thinking.”
• “In addition, applying the growth mindset—which, by definition, is one where the entrepreneur embraces challenges and leverages pitfalls or setbacks along the way as learning experiences rather than limitations—is especially critical for leaders to accept because hurdles to success are inevitable when starting a new business venture.”

Professional help for enhancing your mental set

Seeking the help of a professional can be a beneficial next step for those wishing to enhance their mental set. Online therapy can connect you with a therapist who may help you identify challenges or biases, create strategies to overcome them and enhance your mental set for future problems. Whether you are looking to overcome a specific issue or improve your overall mental set, a professional can be valuable in achieving those goals. 

Online therapy can be especially convenient because of its availability and flexibility. Individuals who have a busy schedule or do not have geographical availability to mental health services near them can schedule appointments and speak to their therapist using the internet. Additionally, online therapy usually offers appointments outside regular business hours to ensure patients can reach mental health support at a time that is convenient for them. 

One study investigated adherence to online and face-to-face (F2F) interventions and found, “Past studies have consistently found that online treatments can save the therapists time and support relapse prevention after F2F therapy. Additional strengths of online interventions over F2F interventions are that they are deliverable from remote locations, need less time commitment, and provide more flexibility for therapists and patients. Another advantage may be that the risk of stigma due to a mental disorder and seeking treatment is reduced.” These benefits can make online therapy an effective choice for those looking to enhance their mental set.