Willingness to listen to and fairly consider ideas, suggestions and opinions that are new or that differ from your own
I’m not saying you have to believe it. It could be nonsense. You just need to listen and consider before drawing conclusions.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. (Aristotle)
1989: My mentor Dr. Lippincott and I had the chance to expand our veterinary practice’s emergency department. He was very skeptical… but openminded as I argued my case in favor. Convinced, he changed his mind; the business prospered.
An open mind gathers more data. The result: more potential solutions to problems, more effective decision-making, and broader horizons. You’ll learn truths you were unaware of.
Nine principles of open-mindedness:
- Commit to learning something in the discussion, no matter how strong your feelings may be on the issue.
I never learned from a man who agreed with me. (Robert Heinlein)
- Question them. What is the basis of their opinion?
- Question yourself. Are you really that well-informed? What was your source of knowledge? Fact or opinion? Any bias?
It is never too late to give up your prejudices. (Henry David Thoreau)
- Take time to digest. Don’t rush to conclusions or shut down. Don’t go into, “I’ll prove them wrong” mode. What if you’re wrong? Or are you both half right? Consider the whole spectrum.
Open your mind before your mouth. (Aristophanes)
- Avoid confirmation bias – the tendency to credit what confirms our beliefs while disregarding evidence to the contrary. Strive for intellectual humility: admit your knowledge may have gaps.
Open-minded people don’t care to be right; they care to understand. (Anonymous)
- Escape your comfort zone. Seek a wider range of news sources, information, experiences and acquaintances.
An open mind leaves a chance for someone to drop a worthwhile thought into it. (Mark Twain)
- Don’t speculate. Learn about or experience things before forming an opinion about them.
- Try to see things from multiple angles. Always seek to identify the grey areas – and how you can illuminate them for clarity.
It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view. (George Eliot)
- Lastly: if the evidence compels it, revise your opinion.
When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir? (John Maynard Keynes)
You don’t know what you don’t know. Find out: be open-minded.
3 DAYS OF CHOOSING OPEN-MINDEDNESS
Day 1: Watch a news channel that you usually don’t; select an idea or opinion you disagree with.
Day 2: Research that subject: do items 3, 5, and 8.
Day 3: Learned anything? Then it’s time for item 9…
… interested in some inspiring tips on 99 other positive choices, and some exercises to get you started?
