Ever feel stuck in a loop? Like you’re doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result—but nothing changes?
That’s rigid thinking in action.
Rigid thinking is when we cling to old ways of doing things, resist new perspectives, and struggle to adapt to change. It’s comfortable. It’s predictable. But it’s also a slow death for creativity and innovation.
If you want to be innovative—whether in your career, business, or personal life—you have to break out of these mental chains.
Good news? You can shift from rigid thinking to an innovative mindset. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, step by step.
Why We Get Stuck in Rigid Thinking
Before we talk about breaking free, let’s understand why we get stuck in the first place.
1. The Comfort of Familiarity
Humans love patterns. They help us feel safe. If something worked before, we assume it will work again. But times change, markets shift, and old solutions don’t always fit new problems.
2. Fear of Failure
Let’s be honest: failure sucks. It’s uncomfortable. So instead of trying something new, we stick to what we know—even if it’s not working—just to avoid the sting of failure.
3. Cognitive Biases
Our brains are wired to reinforce what we already believe. This is called confirmation bias. If you think you’re bad at creativity, your brain will focus on all the times you struggled with an idea and ignore the moments you had a great one.
4. The “This Is How It’s Always Been Done” Mentality
Ever hear someone say this at work? It’s one of the biggest killers of innovation. Just because something worked before doesn’t mean it’s the best way forward now.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. But recognizing these patterns is the first step in breaking free.
Shifting from Rigid Thinking to Innovation: A Step-by-Step Approach
Innovation isn’t magic. It’s a mindset shift. And it starts with curiosity.
Let’s go.
1. Question Everything
Rigid thinkers accept things as they are. Innovators ask, “Why?”
- Why do we do it this way?
- Is there a better way?
- What would happen if we tried something completely different?
✅ Action Step: Every day, challenge one assumption in your life or business. Ask, “Is this the best way, or just the way I’ve always done it?”
2. Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset
Zen Buddhism talks about the Beginner’s Mind—a state where you approach everything as if you’re seeing it for the first time.
✅ Action Step: The next time you face a problem, imagine you know nothing about it. Ask, “How would a total outsider solve this?” You’ll be surprised at the creative solutions you find.
3. Reframe Failure as Learning
Innovators don’t see failure as the end. They see it as feedback.
Thomas Edison had 10,000 failed attempts before inventing the light bulb. When asked about it, he said:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
✅ Action Step: Instead of avoiding failure, reframe it. Each failure = a lesson. Ask, “What did this teach me?”
4. Experiment Small and Fast
You don’t need to overhaul your entire business or life overnight. Small experiments lead to big breakthroughs.
✅ Action Step: Test a new idea in a low-risk way.
- Want to improve your business? Test a new offer for a week.
- Stuck in a routine? Try a different morning habit for a month.
- Struggling with creativity? Write 10 bad ideas every day (one might be gold).
5. Get Uncomfortable on Purpose
Rigid thinking thrives in comfort. Innovation thrives in discomfort.
✅ Action Step: Do something uncomfortable every day.
- Take a different route to work.
- Have a conversation with someone outside your industry.
- Try a hobby you’re bad at.
The more you stretch your brain, the more flexible it becomes.
6. Surround Yourself with Different Thinkers
If everyone around you thinks the same way, you’ll never see new ideas.
✅ Action Step: Seek out people with different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints.
- Join a mastermind group.
- Network outside your industry.
- Read books by authors who challenge your beliefs.
7. Use “What If” Thinking
Innovation often comes from wild what-ifs:
- What if we completely restructured how meetings work?
- What if I tried the opposite of what I usually do?
- What if I ignored the rules and just had fun with this?
✅ Action Step: Take a current challenge and brainstorm at least 5 “What if” scenarios—no matter how crazy they seem.
Examples of Innovation in Action
Still not convinced? Here are a few examples of how people broke free from rigid thinking:
🔥 Netflix vs. Blockbuster
Blockbuster stuck to the same model for years. Netflix experimented with DVD subscriptions, then streaming. Now, Netflix is worth billions, and Blockbuster is dead.
🔥 Airbnb vs. Hotels
Hotels assumed people only wanted to stay in traditional rooms. Airbnb asked, “What if people rented out their own homes?” Now it’s a $100B company.
🔥 Elon Musk & SpaceX
NASA and traditional space agencies had rigid systems in place. Elon Musk asked, “What if rockets were reusable?” Now SpaceX is revolutionizing space travel.
See the pattern? Innovation isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being the most curious.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Starts With You
If you’ve been stuck in rigid thinking, the good news is: you don’t have to stay there.
Shifting to an innovative mindset is about:
- Asking more questions.
- Challenging assumptions.
- Getting comfortable with discomfort.
- Experimenting, failing, and learning fast.
Start small. Pick one thing from this post and put it into action today. Innovation isn’t a talent—it’s a habit. And once you develop it, your world will never be the same.
🚀 What’s one assumption you can challenge today? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it.
Want more? Join The Curiosity Compass Coaching Program—where I help you break free from rigid thinking and build a mindset for growth, success, and innovation.
🔥 Next Steps: ✔ Bookmark this post for future reference.
✔ Share it with someone who needs it.
✔ Take action today—because nothing changes until you do.
