An open mind, opens doors

Find out how you can be more open minded with three tips that will support you with taking on new perspectives in life and create more success. 

Having an open mind is one of the keys to success in life and exploring this subject can expand your life in various ways such as more fulfilling relationships or finding new opportunities.

The strength of Judgement: In the VIA Character Strengths assessment, one of the strengths is "Judgement." The VIA Institute on Character describes "Judgement" as I weigh all aspects objectively in making decisions, including arguments that are in conflict with my convictions.

Learn more here and how you can apply this in your everyday life. You can also take the free survey and find out your Character Strengths.

The Law of Instrument: People respond with the resources / tools they have and are familiar with that leads to narrow thinking. The Law of Instrument, also referred to as Maslow's hammer, is a cognitive bias where a person has a tendency to fix there thinking without looking for broader alternatives.

I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail

De bono's six thinking hats. The six hats are used to bring out a different perspective when solving a problem or thinking about a situation. The hats include:

White hat - the facts

Yellow hat - brightness, optimism and the benefits

Black hat - critical thinking and caution

Green hat - creativity and possibilities

Blue hat - ensuring that all hats have been used in the thinking process

Red hat - feelings and intuition.

How can you apply open mindedness to bring more peace into your life? Consider a past event that you can apply this to, for example:

Dysfunctional patterns in your family that need you to take a higher perspective and shift your energy to the positive. Not being wedded to your particular view and acknowledging that a family member is just responding with the most familiar tool and showing more compassion towards them.

Forgiveness: something for you to forgive rather than continue to carry the burden.

Six hats: explore the past situation from various angles by applying the six thinking hats to gain more awareness and perspective.

Know that people are doing the best they can from their level of awareness. Accept people for who they are and always be ready to forgive

- Deepak Chopra

Opportunities: Another area you can apply this to is being aware and open to opportunities or new ideas when they cross your path. Look for ways where you can combine disparate ideas and things that you have a personal interest in as you might stumble across an idea that will serve others. 

Find out 3 tips for open mindedness by watching this short video.

Here's to living your best life!

Melissa Taylor

Future Transcendence Leadership Mentor

Author of A Practical Guide to Finding Your Soul Purpose