#70 Reflection: Escape the Matrix of Thinking

Think Like an Outsider: Depersonalization

Stay with me on this mind changing topic, and don't forget to hit the ❤️

Imagine stepping outside of yourself, leaving behind the familiar confines of your thoughts, emotions, and biases. It's like shedding old skin, revealing a fresh perspective, a beginner's mind capable of seeing the world anew. This is the essence of planned depersonalization – a deliberate cognitive shift that unlocks hidden pathways to innovation and foresight.

While the term "depersonalization" might conjure images of dissociation and mental health disorders, we're exploring its potential as a powerful tool for enhancing creativity and strategic thinking. It's about intentionally stepping back from the "self" to gain a more objective and expansive view of the world.

To understand this better, let's imagine how it might feel. Imagine observing your thoughts and emotions as if they belong to someone else, like watching a movie where you're the main character but with a sense of detachment. The world might seem subtly altered, with colors appearing more vibrant or sounds feeling distant. Time might seem to stretch or compress, and your body might feel like a vessel you're navigating from a distance. Think of it as a mental "zoom-out" – a way to see the bigger picture, connect seemingly disparate ideas, and challenge ingrained assumptions.

When you shake off the initial fear of the unfamiliar, you step outside the confines of your usual perspective, offering a clearer view of the patterns and connections that often remain hidden within the noise of our everyday thoughts and feelings. This is the state of mind where innovative solutions emerge, and it happens to many of us to some degree at least once in our lifetime.

A study published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation found that over 50% of people have had at least one transient experience of depersonalization or derealization in their lifetime (Hunter et al., 2004). At the same time, only a tiny percentage (around 2%) experience it frequently enough to be considered a disorder.

But why is this so crucial in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world? Cognitive neuroscientist Gerald Edelman suggests that up to 95% of our thinking is unconscious, driven by deeply ingrained patterns and biases. This "autopilot" mode can be efficient for everyday tasks but is also a trap, limiting our ability to innovate and anticipate future trends.

Planned depersonalization helps us disrupt this autopilot. It allows us to cultivate this "outsider" mindset, encouraging us to question the norm and explore unconventional paths.

But how can we achieve this state of detached awareness?

No, please don’t use drugs, though they seem often to be the trigger in reported stories. There is another way, and you might have heard of it: Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for cultivating a detached observer within. By focusing on the present moment and observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we can create a sense of separation from the "self" and its biases. And although it is a small step in the right direction, the more you practice, the more you can see yourself from the outside.

Perspective-taking exercises, such as role-playing or dialogues with people from diverse backgrounds, can also help us broaden our understanding and challenge our assumptions. Adapted psychodrama exercises can be a powerful perspective changer for innovation teams.

It's crucial to actively question our beliefs and seek evidence that supports or challenges them. This helps us break free from limiting biases and embrace new perspectives. Admittedly, this is incredibly difficult in our current information landscape. We're constantly bombarded with filtered information, trapped in the echo chambers of social media, and surrounded by buzzwords that often lack substance. However, cultivating a persistent mindset is essential for navigating the future. By focusing on the process of questioning, on the act of "trying" to see things from different angles, we can strengthen our ability to challenge assumptions and embrace a more nuanced understanding of the world.

Planned depersonalization is not about suppressing emotions or disconnecting from reality. It's about intentionally shifting our perspective to gain a more transparent, more objective view. It's about cultivating a "beginner's mind" open to new possibilities and unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom.

For us innovators, futurists, and product developers, cultivating the ability to step outside of ourselves and see the world with fresh eyes is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. We need to embrace planned depersonalization as a core cognitive strategy.