In addition...The process of unlearning has three parts. First, you have to recognize that the old mental model is no longer relevant or effective. This is a challenge because we are usually unconscious of our mental models. They are the proverbial water to the fish. Have a nice day ahead @rok-sivante
Umm, you said there was three parts??
First, you have to recognize that the old mental model is no longer relevant or effective.
This is a challenge because we are usually unconscious of our mental models. They are the proverbial water to the fish. In addition, we might be afraid to admit that the existing model is growing outdated. We have built our reputations and careers on the mastery of these old models. Letting go can seem like starting over and losing our status, authority, or sense of self.
Second, you need to find or create a new model that can better achieve your goals.
At first, you will probably see this new model through the lens of the old. Many companies are ineffective in their use of social media because they still think of it as a channel for distributing a message. They haven’t made the mental shift from one-to-many to many-to-many. Social is best thought of as a context rather than a channel.
Third, you need to ingrain the new mental habits.
This process is no different from creating a new behavioral habit, like your diet or golf swing. The tendency will be to fall back into the old way of thinking and therefore the old way of doing. It’s useful to create triggers that alert you to which model you are working from. For example, when you are talking about your customers, catch yourself when you call them “consumers” — this corresponds to a transactional mindset. Find a word that reflects a more collaborative relationship. The shift in language helps to reinforce the shift in mindset.
Now this is what I wanted, thank you @caesar816. There are so many beautiful nuggets of wisdom here!
First, having to transcend the unconsciousness and become aware of your own thought patterns is what separates the asleep and the awake. Then facing them in a way that creates positive change instead of guilt, fear, and self-loathing takes true courage. You are absolutely right spot on and I love it.
Second, what you said about seeing your new model through the old lens is awesome and tells me a lot about your journey. This is one of my favorite topics to speak about the lens through which we see the world.
Third, falling back to the old patterns, in my humble opinion, happens quite often but if you are aware that this is a possibility you can be viligant in keeping an eye out for it. Oh and those triggers, they do fire. For me and in my experience it has been about noticing the triggers and not using them to beat myself up but just saying thank you and appreciating the awareness.
If I had to add anything to this great follow up post of yours it would be that after those 3 steps you might come to the conclusion that the new model doesn't work as well as you thought it might and have to change it again. Or in the same vain of thought, you will eventually see that this new model will also become outdated and need to be replaced. Thus it becomes obvious that we need to be flexible and comfortable with change, essentially creating the habit of conscious evolution of our beliefs while gently and lovingly letting go of the outdated as stepping stones that took us as far as they could.
You are most welcome @larrymorrison....I'm just happy you understood my standpoint concerning this issue
Yea exactly I said that...larrymorrison...I'm just trying to figure out how I can simplify it for everyone to understand