There are different styles of mindsets, and they have a major impact on how you view the world by affecting how you measure your sense of self and the differences between yourself and others. In many cases, you can look at what kind of thinker you are to better understand and adjust your communication and mindset when interacting with others. The mindset styles outline different compatibility traits and perceptions of yourself and others. When you have a loved one in treatment, learning more about the styles of your mindset and your loved one's mindset can deepen your connection and help you manage your responses.
The five styles of mindset are analytical, synthetic, idealist, pragmatic, and realist. Keep in mind that these five categories are not a one-size-fits-all interpretation. Everyone has a mix of thinking styles depending on their circumstances, culture, and personal characteristics.
When you teach yourself to engage in different types of thinking, you can better approach your perspective and outlook on treatment, rehab, and recovery. Understanding the different types of thinking helps with relationship building and connecting, especially when someone you love is going through treatment.
Those who think with an analytical mindset are usually more compulsive and stubborn. However, an analyst can also be a straightforward thinker. An analyst is hard to persuade to change their mind once they have made their conclusions. These traits combined make an analyst mindset can make this mindset a good one to have, but it can also be counterproductive.
Many analysts' mindsets are logical and rational; they form around order. Most analysts will proceed carefully throughout tasks as long as they have thought out the logical outcome and can see the path. Most analysts are interested in finding the perfect method to get things done. Some analysts can be frustrating to converse with because they are not the most open-minded, but they have a logical sense of their outlook.
A synthetic mindset views life like a debate. They are the type of thinkers who would rather have all the information before acknowledging one side of the debate over the other. They are the individuals who love information and will go to great lengths to get it. Once they get the information, they like to discuss and debate both sides before deciding which path to take. This dedication to debate and knowledge can cause them to seem difficult to converse with. However, a synthetic mindset is more curious and creative. They want to understand, not control, their surroundings. They will use information and discussion to gain a better understanding of the situation.
Idealists believe different views can be brought together. The goal of thinking as an idealist is there is always common ground and a mutual idea that can be combined to make sense. More often than not, an idealist will be open to different suggestions and are more receptive to coping mechanisms and strategies. However, an idealist will expect a lot out of themselves. Any course of action is associated with high standards. Idealists are prone to being supportive and helpful, but they may find themselves in controversial situations because they like to merge common grounds with different perspectives.
The feeling of being active and busy is the main concern of pragmatic thinking. Pragmatic thinking leads individuals towards viewing the world as complex and taking the time to theorize different scenarios and situations. A pragmatic thinker will understand what can be done currently. They are great at enthusiasm and optimism. Pragmatist thinkers require less support and structure, and they may seem more predictable than other types of mindsets.
A realist thinker likes the aspects of visualization. They feel if they can see, smell, feel, or touch something, then the situation is real. Most realists view the world through physical sense. They are prone to imagining concrete results where nothing else can change. Realists can be hard-working and hard-driving individuals. However, they may have less patience than other mindsets. Usually, a realist will have set expectations and be more carefully organized within their mindset.
When you undergo treatment or rehab, you open up to different ways of thinking and different perspectives. You can learn to cope with various situations through coping mechanisms and strategies that influence your thought process. Going through treatment requires you to grow and learn more about yourself. Therefore, learning about yourself, mindfulness, and how others think can make a huge difference in long-term recovery.
Treatment teaches you different perspectives and outlines different elements of your mindset. For friends and family, understanding different styles of mindset can better help you pursue conversation and compassion with those you love who are going through treatment.
There are different ways to address each mindset. Knowing the different mindsets is important because you can develop new strategies, have new conversations, and adjust your perception to better understand others who have a different mindset than you. Using different strategies or responses helps you establish a better perspective on yourself and with the ones you love.
The best way to first approach different types of thinking is to understand your own. What type of mindset are you prone to having? Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you may have more than one type of thought process.
Have you wondered what type of mindset you have or considered what your loved one's mindset is? By learning about the different types of mindsets, you can relate to your loved ones better when they are in treatment, rehab, or recovery. At NorthStar Transitions, we want to help you connect with your loved ones who struggle with addiction. We want you to learn about the different types of mindsets that your loved one may be more prone towards. Family sessions often open up the door of opportunity to help you learn different mindsets and strategies. Additionally, you learn more about yourself and what kind of mindset your loved one has. If you feel your communication style or your mindset is difficult to understand or is causing conflicts with the ones you love, it's time to learn more about the different types of mindsets you can incorporate into life. Contact NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
