在工作和生活中，人们需要解决各类问题、对不同的情况做出预测并应对大大小小的挑战。换位思考、灵活变通可能会让看似棘手的问题迎刃而解。“弹性思维” 指的就是根据当前的状况来调整自己的想法、行动和感受的思维方式。人们可以通过激发想象力、尝试新事物和接触新体验来提高自己的变通能力。本期 “随身英语” 节目探讨日常工作中的 “弹性思维”。

词汇：work 工作

Does work ever leave you feeling stuck in a rut with limited opportunities to be creative? To thrive, you might want to increase your brain's flexibility. But is this even possible, and if so, how?

Most jobs require the ability to problem-solve and cope with challenges, at least to a certain extent. Imagine a teacher who has a new and very nervous student in their class. If that teacher is a flexible thinker, they will be able to adapt their classroom management, even if they haven't seen this situation before. According to Leonard Mlodinow, author of Elastic, flexible thinkers rely on idea generation and imagination – they are willing to experiment and take risks. "Elastic thinking is what you need when the circumstances change, and you are dealing with something new. It's not about following rules." Therefore, instead of following the typical procedure for inducting a new student, the teacher might come up with a tailored response, based on prediction and previous experience.

So, how can you become a more flexible thinker? According to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, it's all about exercising the brain. One way of doing this, she says, is through exposure to a variety of experiences which make it easier to adjust to new situations. A lot of companies now consider flexible thinking in the workplace, especially when it comes to design. Workspaces may have couches where workers can lie down and relax, giving them the space to come up with and process new ideas. Mlodinow says it's very important to take time to daydream, listen to ideas and concepts you disagree with and spend time doing activities outside of your comfort zone. This will help you understand multiple points of view and therefore blossom in many different aspects of your career.

So, if you want to make a change, you can become a flexible thinker too, with a little practice.

词汇表

stuck in a rut 一成不变
flexibility 灵活性
problem-solve 解决问题
cope with 应对
adapt 适应
idea generation 创意生成
imagination 想象力
experiment 实践，尝试
circumstance （客观）环境，状况
typical 典型的
come up with 想出，提出
tailored 特制的，有针对性的
prediction 预测
exposure 接触
adjust 适应
daydream 白日做梦，幻想
concept 观念，概念
comfort zone 舒适区

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What do flexible thinkers rely on, according to Leonard Mlodinow? 

2. True or false? A flexible teacher will follow the typical procedure for inducting a new student.

3. How can you exercise your brain, according to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett?

4. Why do some workspaces have couches?

5. According to Mlodinow, why is it important to daydream and do activities outside of your comfort zone?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. We are _______ with different flavour combinations for the cafe.

adapting           experimenting             daydreaming           adjusting

2. Can you make a _______ about what happens next?

imagination      circumstance               prediction                comfort zone

3. I find it difficult to _______ the pressure of exams.

alter                 come up with               problem-solve         cope with

4. After working in the same job for ten years, Osama felt stuck in _______.

concept             exposure                    idea generation         a rut

5. Zainab only buys _______ suits. That's why they fit her so well.

typical                tailored                      flexible                     nervous

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What do flexible thinkers rely on, according to Leonard Mlodinow?

Flexible thinkers rely on idea generation and imagination, they are willing to experiment and take risks. 

2. True or false? A flexible teacher will follow the typical procedure for inducting a new student.

False. Instead of following the typical procedure for inducting a new student, the teacher might come up with a tailored response.

3.How can you exercise your brain, according to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett?

According to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, one way is through exposure to a variety of experiences which makes it easier to adjust to new situations.

4. Why do some workspaces have couches?

Because this means workers can lie down and relax, giving them the space to come up with and process new ideas.

5. According to Mlodinow, why is it important to daydream and do activities outside of your comfort zone?

Because this will help you understand multiple points of view and therefore blossom in many different aspects of your career.

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. We are experimenting with different flavour combinations for the cafe. 

2. Can you make a prediction about what happens next? 

3. I find it difficult to cope with the pressure of exams. 

4. After working in the same job for ten years, Osama felt stuck in a rut.

5. Zainab only buys tailored suits. That's why they fit her so well.