I thought I was complete with this mini-series in getting to know your default mode network and task-positive network. The default mode is the network in your brain which offers daydreaming visioning, purpose, and meaning. Task-positive being the network that offers a focus on tasks, goals, and planning.
But I’m not done. There is a very empowering gift that comes from being in our default mode network. It’s called the Theory of Mind, the ability to step in someone else’s shoes.
Seeing another’s perspective and understanding that others have beliefs, intents, emotions, and knowledge other than our own is behind this theory of mind.
Can you imagine if 90% of people were to step in the other’s shoes? What would it look like if we took the time and truly listened to another’s perspective before we speak our own? Or to get totally radical, leave our perspective out completely and only listen to what the other person is saying. And, if the other person engages their theory of mind they would sit back and listen to our perspective!
It would be an entirely different world!
Neuroscience has shown that the theory of mind shows up when we are in our default mode network. And, lucky us we are mostly in this network until we do a task. After that, it’s back to the default mode.
So what does all of this mean? When you notice that you are actively stepping in someone else’s shoes know that you are being supported by your default mode network. This is neuroscience at its finest.
I for one think that stepping in someone else’s shoes is a win for us all.
Let neuroscience do the rest.