That exhilarating swell of music, the powerful vocals, the sheer sense of adventure – if you’ve heard “Get Lost” from the Moana 2 soundtrack, performed by the incredible Awhimai Fraser, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s more than just a catchy tune; it’s an anthem for embracing the unknown, for venturing off the well-trodden path. And as I listened, it really struck me how much its core message connects to a crucial skill we all need, not just on epic voyages but in our everyday lives: flexible thinking.
The Call to the Unknown: “Get Lost” and the Unexpected
Moana’s journey in the first film was so much about finding her way back to her people; she follows a clear inner calling. But “Get Lost” feels different, hinting at an exploration where the destination isn’t set in stone. Moana’s map loses clarity, and the only real way to move forward is to, well, get lost. But it’s not about just aimlessly wandering; it’s about being willing to deviate from what you expect, to adapt when things don’t go as planned, and to find solutions when you’re facing the unexpected. As the song so perfectly puts it, “You’ve got a long, long way to go, keep playing safe, you’ll never know. The rules are ours to break.”
When the Familiar Fails: The Power of Flexible Thinking
Think about it for a second. When we run into a problem, our first instinct is to rely on past solutions that worked. We have our go-to strategies, our familiar routes. But what happens when those strategies just… fail? What happens when something blocks that familiar path? That’s where flexible thinking really comes into play.
It’s that ability to shift how we see things, to think about alternative ways of doing things, to really think outside the box. Flexible thinking means being open to new information, even if it totally goes against what we initially thought. It’s about being willing to experiment, to try something different, even if it feels a little uncomfortable. Like “Get Lost” urges, “Expand your mind to see, and put your trust in me,” suggesting that sometimes, embracing the unknown is the only way to stumble upon something new.
Navigating Uncharted Waters: Problem-Solving as an Exploration
Just like Moana and her crew heading into uncharted waters, problem-solving often throws us into unfamiliar territory. We might hit obstacles we never saw coming, resources might be scarce, and that initial, carefully laid plan might need a complete overhaul. In those moments, being rigid, sticking stubbornly to a plan that isn’t working, is probably the worst thing we can do. Rigidity leads to frustration and getting stuck. The song really nails this: “There ain’t no fun in holding back, babe. You gotta enjoy the thrill of living dangerously.”
“Get Lost” really embodies the spirit of embracing uncertainty. It’s about trusting your gut, absolutely, but it’s also about being observant, resourceful, and, most importantly, adaptable. The song is about learning from what’s around you, from the challenges you’re facing, and using that new knowledge to carve out a new path forward. It’s about recognizing, like the song says, that “There is no map to your destination. No explanation to solve this equation.”
“Get Lost” in Action: Everyday and Extraordinary Examples
Think about a simple, everyday thing. You’re trying out a new recipe, and suddenly you realize you’re completely out of a key ingredient. Someone who’s not thinking flexibly might just give up on the recipe. But someone who is would start thinking about substitutes, maybe do a quick search for alternatives, or even just get creative and adapt the recipe based on what they do have. They “get lost” in the possibilities, instead of just being stuck on the original plan.
On a much bigger scale, look at scientific breakthroughs. So many of the really significant discoveries weren’t the result of this straight, predictable path. Instead, they often came from unexpected observations, experiments that didn’t go as planned but led to new insights, and a willingness to just throw out those initial ideas in favor of something more promising. Scientists had to be willing to “get lost” in the data, to follow those unexpected trails, to ultimately find a new understanding.
“Get Lost” isn’t saying we should just be reckless. It’s about having this mindset of open exploration and being agile in how we adapt. It’s about realizing that sometimes the most direct route isn’t the only one, and it might not even be the best one. By being open to the unknown, by being willing to step off that initial path, we open ourselves up to so many new possibilities and truly innovative solutions. As Awhimai Fraser sings, “Get lost, cut loose, and lose your way,” and sometimes, losing your way is the best way to actually find it.
Charting a New Course: Practical Tips for Flexible Thinking
So, how can we actually cultivate this crucial skill of flexible thinking when we’re trying to solve problems in our own lives? Here are some things that have helped me, inspired by this whole idea of “getting lost” and finding a new way:
- Challenge Your Assumptions: We often go into problems with all these pre-conceived ideas about what’s possible or what the limitations are. Take a step back and really question those assumptions. Are they actually true? What if they weren’t?
- Brainstorm All the Ideas: Don’t just grab the first idea that pops into your head. Try to come up with a whole bunch of potential solutions, even if some of them seem a little out there or even silly at first. This “getting lost” in a sea of possibilities can lead to some surprisingly effective answers.
- Get Other People’s Take: Talk to people who might see things differently than you do. Someone with a different background or different experiences might look at the problem in a completely new way and suggest solutions you never would have thought of. It’s like asking your crew for their input on a voyage – different skills and viewpoints can be invaluable.
- Try Reframing the Problem: Sometimes, the way we even think about the problem can box us in. Try looking at the challenge from a completely different angle. Instead of asking “How do I fix this?”, maybe ask “What are the core needs here?” or “Is there a completely different way to approach this?”.
- Experiment and Learn from It: Don’t be afraid to try different things, even if they don’t work out right away. See those failures as learning opportunities. What did you learn from that attempt? How can you tweak your approach next time? That process of trying and learning is so key when you’re navigating the unknown.
- Break It Down: Really big problems can feel totally overwhelming. Try breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Tackling those smaller pieces can give you momentum and maybe even reveal new paths forward you couldn’t see before.
- Play the “What If?” Game: Regularly ask yourself “what if” questions. What if this limitation didn’t exist? What if we had unlimited resources? What if we tried something totally unexpected? This kind of imaginative exploration can unlock some creative solutions.
- Stay Curious: Keep that sense of curiosity about the problem and all the potential ways to solve it. Ask questions, do some research on different approaches, and just be open to learning new things. That active engagement keeps your mind flexible and ready for new ideas.
Just like Moana out on that vast ocean, with a flexible mind, you’ll be so much better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way. So, turn up “Get Lost,” embrace the unknown a little bit, and remember that sometimes, being willing to stray from that expected path is the most direct route to finding truly innovative solutions.
