The Meeting Point of Difficult Change and Neuroscience: About Unlearning

Imagine heavy chains pulling you down and keeping you in place.

It's a bit dramatic perhaps, but not that far off when you consider the impact that not managing Unlearning has on our ability (or inability) to adopt new ways of doing things.

A few years back, a friend shared with me a great clip that illustrates the power of preexisting patterns and why the need to manage Unlearning is so important:

Not all change is created equal. When change requires unlearning, the presence of preexistent patterns will make change difficult.

How Does Understanding Unlearning Help Us Overcome Difficult Change?

• Not all change is created equal. When change requires unlearning, the presence of preexistent patterns will make change difficult.

• Most people are very good at learning new things but have very little clarity around what it takes to unlearn.

• When we facilitate change we need to recognize which previously reinforced ways of thinking and doing things are already in place.