In his book, It Takes What It Takes, Trevor Moawad emphasizes the power of neutral thinking as a high-performance strategy, especially in moments of crisis and pressure. Neutral thinking, explains Moawad, rejects judgment and focuses on accepting the irrevocable nature of the past. Moawad explains that, unlike other motivational systems that rely on illusion and self-delusion, neutral thinking strips away biases and illusions, both internal and external.
As we’ve explored in past issues, the world is filled with countless biases, such as confirmation bias, selection bias, and negativity bias, which can cloud our perception of reality. (See: The Three Discipline of Stoicism.) Moawad highlights that bias is a natural part of human nature but can hinder our performance. As such, he emphasizes that we must avoid elevating the past and instead focus on the present and the next behavior.
Neutral thinking doesn’t require us to be robotic, however. Instead, it allows us to remain animated and emotionally engaged while staying focused on influencing the next behavior. This mindset helps control emotions and prevents them from distorting our thinking. Emotions, Moawad argues, are a form of bias, and neutral thinking enables us to strip away these biases to focus on the facts and the truth.
Moawad uses the example of NFL quarterback Russell Wilson to illustrate the power of neutral thinking. Despite a tumultuous year due to his divorce from his high-school sweetheart, Russell remained neutral and reached another Super Bowl. Moawad stresses that individuals in high-pressure roles, like star quarterbacks in the NFL, must follow a narrow path, staying grounded in the present and in control of their next behavior.
It’s important to mention that mistakes are real here, and we shouldn’t deny or exaggerate them. However, Moawad invites us not to view our mistakes as the world’s end. Instead, he emphasizes that what happens next is determined solely by what we do next. As we explored in Issue #078: The Reinvention Roadmap, the past isn’t predictive, and embracing this belief can lead to positive change.
Shifting one’s thoughts into neutral takes practice, but it allows for a quick pivot toward decisive action. Similar to Adaptability, one of the Six Mindsets of Resilience, neutral thinking promotes calmness and awareness, which are crucial for success. Moawad distinguishes neutral thinking from mindfulness, stating that neutral thinking is about achieving swift, decisive, and winning action.
Neutral thinkers remain aware of the ever-changing situation and focus on learning from each experience, even if the outcome is not optimal in the moment. Moreover, they prioritize their next behavior over their feelings, avoiding negative and biased thinking. Moawad emphasizes that this approach applies to any workplace, encouraging individuals to focus on what they know rather than how they feel (which Susan Scott also discusses in her book, Fierce Conversations).
Conclusion
Neutral thinking is a powerful, high-performance strategy in various aspects of life. This mindset involves accepting the past, stripping away biases, and staying focused on the present and the next behavior. By practicing neutral thinking, we can achieve better outcomes, make more informed decisions, and succeed in our endeavors.
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