Have you ever heard the term Binary? This term is often used in the computer field, referring only to 0 or 1. When compared to thinking, it resembles the mindset of viewing things in only one way. Most people tend to believe that there are always just two sides to every thought. So, what does Non-binary thinking look like? Is trying to understand others and putting ourselves in their shoes a better way of thinking? Find the answers in this article.

The content of this article is compiled from Mr. Apirath Wancharaem, or Mr. Art, Chief Digital Officer of SCG Cement and Construction Products, who shared insights with Techsauce on Non-binary thinking.

Thus, the term 'Binary Thinking' means having only two sides to our thoughts, such as 0 or 1, on or off, black or white, good or bad, and right or wrong. In our lives, we may encounter this kind of teaching and become accustomed to binary thinking. However, Mr. Art revealed that he once lived with a binary mindset, but as he grew older and encountered new societies and cultures with diverse races and thoughts, he realized that life is not just black and white; there exists something called 'Shade of Grey' or the gray area in between.

What Are the Benefits of Non-binary Thinking?

Certainly, everyone can benefit from Non-binary thinking in all aspects of life, whether in personal life or work. Many people may have been molded by Binary Thinking, which requires clear distinctions of right and wrong, believing that thoughts always have two sides. However, for those who dream of making an impact or changing the nation or society, it is essential to transcend this binary mindset first, especially in today's era of innovation, startups, and uncertainty.

Binary thinking can create limitations and boundaries. For instance, viewing a child as intelligent—what does that mean? We may not see it the same way anymore. A child may graduate with honors but may not possess the skills that industries are looking for. Thus, this perspective begins to blur. Non-binary or directional thinking can help us succeed in today's work environment.

For startups, these companies have clear goals of where they want to go, but they are uncertain about the path to take and lack the resources of larger companies. Therefore, they must experiment, which requires Non-binary thinking to gradually try various methods to find the best approach for the company.

How Can Non-binary Thinking Help Us Manage Negative Emotions from Others?

The first thing to accept is that we cannot change others just because they think or feel differently from us. That does not mean they are wrong or right. The tool we can use here is 'Communication' to understand what the other party is thinking and feeling. However, many times, there is something called 'Noise' that comes along, which refers to emotions, facial expressions, and negative energy. What we can do is cultivate 'Emotional Maturity.'

To achieve Emotional Maturity means to 'Denoise'—the ability to receive information and messages without being affected by that noise. We must have empathy to understand that the other party may be experiencing some stress, causing them to exhibit negative behavior. Non-binary thinking can help us understand and analyze the reasons behind such actions. For an organization to progress and go far, we must rely on the Emotional Maturity of everyone within it.

Steps to Achieve Emotional Maturity

  1. Awareness: Recognize your own emotions.
  2. Self-monitoring: In this situation, should you express your emotions or to what level? Do not let emotions get out of hand.
  3. Be open to other emotions that may arise and Denoise negative feelings. It may seem challenging, but it can be practiced.

Non-binary or directional thinking is not just about not thinking in two sides; it also includes positive thinking. Instead of thinking reactively, we think proactively.

In a situation with news of economic crises and various social issues on social media, people tend to fall into two categories: those who avoid consuming news to prevent feeling down, and those who consume news but can extract information without emotional involvement. Which approach is better?

Firstly, we should not disconnect, and in Non-binary thinking, we should not ignore information. We should seek answers to everything happening in our lives, especially things we dislike. The first step is to be aware that we dislike something. The second is to ask ourselves why we dislike it and analyze the reasons behind it. Many people may have heard the saying, 'In crisis, there is opportunity.' If we choose to close the door on crisis information, we will miss our opportunities.

If we disconnect from the crisis, we will not see the opportunities.

The trick is to consume all information and analyze why things are the way they are while Denoising those feelings and emotions. If we can do this, we should not stress over it.

How to Encourage Yourself Amid Fear or When Facing Adverse Situations?

Life is indeed very short. As we grow older, when we look back, will we regret not doing certain things or feel that we lived a fulfilling life? Undoubtedly, every human is born with fear. It cannot be denied that fear significantly impacts our lives. However, fear can also be beneficial if used correctly. We can use our fear to stimulate courage to think outside the box and step out of our comfort zones, which can be applied to both personal life and work.

A question often asked by many students I have encountered is 'none.' However, what I found after talking to them is that they do not lack passion; they just lack the courage and belief that they can pursue this passion. What blocks them from their passion are 'Expectations' and the 'Status Quo' of those around them who expect them to be what they do not want to be. In this era, if we can cut out the expectations and status quo, we certainly have many more options to align our passion with our livelihood. However, that does not mean we must choose this path. We can choose the path that meets others' expectations, but we must ensure that we will be happy with the things and paths we choose.

SOURCE: www.techsauce.co