Do you find it difficult to understand the values of others without forming judgement if they do not align with your own? You’re not alone in finding open-mindedness to be difficult. Our minds have evolved to analyse everything in order to make sense of the world around us. Because of our conscious freedom, we each uniquely have our own opinions, values and priorities that make us who we are. The trouble lies when we encounter someone who is so varyingly contrast to us. We can’t understand them. If we feel the need to vocalise our discomfort, this is likely to end in a disagreement. Being close-minded can negatively impact our lives as we shut off a multitude of possibilities and culture, so how can we become more comfortable with being open-minded instead?
Acknowledge. The first step to any self-acceptance is by acknowledging your tendencies. Admitting your biases can be difficult, but we’ll gain a greater understanding of the limits we set ourselves. Our brain subconsciously uses cognitive biases to process incoming information, which essentially means we unknowingly think and act by our biases. Becoming aware of our biases can help us to make clear decisions in response to current situations – not letting anxiety or preconception steer the wheel. Think back to times when you were not open to other’s opinions and ask yourself why that was?
Reflect. Next step is to reflect on everyday situations where you find yourself using those biases to form your decisions. Are there certain people you wouldn’t take advice from? Why is that? Are you open-minded in some contexts and not others? Environmental triggers can also impact our ability to be open-minded so consider how happiness and discomfort play a role in your reactions.
Listen. Now let’s start putting our open-mindedness into practice. One of the best ways to open yourself up to opinions that may be different from your own is to really listen to people. Your goal is to truly understand what they have to say without any judgment at all – positive or negative. Try slowing down when you’re speaking to someone, allowing them space to communicate and time for you to think of your well-balanced response.
Gratitude. The final step is to show our appreciation. Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to show acceptance for things we find difficult. Cultivating gratefulness not only flips your mind to see things more positively, it’ll also teach you how to see strength in others. It’s easier said then done so practice this at first on your own so you have time to reflect properly – try keeping a journal for you to work through stickiness and jot down your appreciation for others.
Open-mindedness can lead to greater creativity and innovation, as well as strengthen the relationships around you. It may take a little bit of work, but with this effort you’ll see an abundance of growth and development.
