⚫️ The Silver Lining in Black-And-White Thinking ⚪️

Everything is useful in moderation - including black-and-white thinking.

If you are a current or former client, you know I give “funwork” after sessions. Most clients tend to beat themselves up internally if they don’t get to the funwork - don’t do that! It is truly meant to be FUN - while learning new things about yourself along the way. I usually send podcast episodes, Youtube videos, or articles related to what we discussed in our session because there is no need to reinvent the wheel. I want to expose clients to other amazing coaches who are speaking on just the thing they are dealing with, too.

I was working with a Type 2 client last week, and they talked about how they think in black and white. While I think it is important to expand your horizon and think in various ways, I also think it is important to recognize and honor how we show up naturally and how it serves us.

Everything is useful in moderation.

When I asked this client how black-and-white thinking has served them, they could not answer. So for funwork, I was going to send this client an article, podcast, or video on the power of Black and White thinking, but I could not find ANYTHING! So I knew it was time for me to make my own personal contribution to this client’s funwork - and to the larger community.

Binary Thought & Beyond

In an increasingly complex world, the traditional "black and white" thinking - categorizing issues as right or wrong, with no middle ground - often gets a bad rap. We're often encouraged to see nuances, embrace ambiguity, and shun absolute stances. Yet, as with most aspects of life, there's more to the story. Black-and-white thinking, in moderation, can serve as an effective cognitive tool in specific situations. This is the other side of the coin, one that's rarely acknowledged but equally vital.

At first glance, black-and-white thinking can appear limiting. However, it can be incredibly useful for quick decision-making. When time is of the essence, or when you are overwhelmed with too many options, it simplifies choices. You swiftly classify decisions as good or bad, beneficial or harmful, thus helping you make quicker choices.

As a Type 4 who lives and breathes in nuances, color, and ambiguity, there have been moments when black-and-white thinking would have been a powerful tool. It would have helped when I was sexually harassed at work to say, “This is wrong simply,” - instead of sitting for three years mulling over the nuances of the situation to try to rationalize it.

Black-and-white thinking can often be protective, shielding against moral ambiguities that could lead to a slippery slope. By setting clear boundaries of right and wrong, we are better equipped to avoid ethical quandaries. This cognitive approach can help us maintain our core values and principles, ensuring we don't stray from our moral compass.

It's interesting to note the irony that while people criticize black-and-white thinking, they often unknowingly resort to it by considering this cognitive method as 'wholly bad.' This, in itself, is a manifestation of black-and-white thinking. By recognizing this paradox, we can appreciate that, as humans, our thinking often straddles between various modes, including black and white.

How Each Enneagram Type Can Use Black-And-White Thinking to manage their time, productivity, and Focus:

Type 1 - Adopting black-and-white thinking can help you prioritize tasks by classifying them as 'essential' or 'non-essential'’ This approach can enhance your focus on the key tasks and increase productivity, ensuring that your high standards are met without stretching yourself thin.

Type 2 - You have a natural inclination to assist others, often at the expense of your own needs. Utilizing black-and-white thinking to distinguish between 'self-care' or 'self-neglect' can aid you in prioritizing your own well-being. For instance, when deciding how to spend your time, you can ask, "Does this activity nurture my physical, emotional, or mental health (yes), or does it primarily serve others while possibly depleting my own resources (no)?" This clear distinction can help you maintain a healthy balance between helping others and nurturing yourself, leading to sustained personal productivity and well-being.

Type 3 - With your goal-oriented mindset, classifying tasks as 'advancing your goal' or 'not advancing your goal' can significantly boost your productivity and ensure that your efforts always lead you towards your objectives.

Type 4 - Discerning tasks as 'aligning with your identity' or 'not aligning with your identity'’ black-and-white thinking can help maintain focus on activities that enhance your authentic self-expression, thus improving your work's meaningfulness and productivity.

Type 5 - Distinguishing between 'knowledge-enhancing' and 'knowledge-neutral' tasks can aid in focusing your energy on activities that satisfy your intellectual curiosity, leading to more engaged and productive work periods.

Type 6 - Classifying tasks as 'risk-free' or 'risky' can help manage your time and energy more efficiently, focusing on tasks that align with your need for security and stability, thereby improving productivity.

Type 7 - By identifying tasks as 'interesting' or 'dull,'’ you can plan your schedule to include tasks that spark your enthusiasm, improving focus and productivity while ensuring your workday is filled with joy.

Type 8 - Using black-and-white thinking to determine if tasks 'enhance your autonomy' or 'limit your control' can help you focus on tasks that uphold your independence, increasing your engagement and productivity.

Type 9 - By discerning tasks as 'harmony-enhancing' or 'conflict-inducing,'’ you can manage your time to focus on tasks that maintain your inner and outer peace, leading to a more productive and serene work environment.

I want to emphasize that black-and-white thinking isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' solution but a tool that can be utilized in certain circumstances. It should be used wisely, respecting the context. Life isn't just about dwelling in the extremes of black and white; it's about recognizing, appreciating, and navigating through all the colors our experiences offer.