Open mindedness is an increasingly necessary attribute for success. Being receptive to new ideas, open to listening to the ideas of others, and being willing to change your opinion when you learn new information that indicates you have been mistaken in the past all enhance the effectiveness and truthfulness of your beliefs.
Not having an open mind can lead to several negative and self-destructive conditions:
- Maintaining false beliefs about events and conditions in the world
- Developing irrational and mistaken prejudices about selective groups and individuals
- Self-deception – maintaining inaccurate self-conceptions leading to making foolish and self-destructive choices
- Developing defensive and negatively aggressive attitudes towards information which may contradict your current beliefs
Getting Personal
Would you describe yourself as being open-minded? Give an example to support your opinion.
“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open.” (Unknown)
“When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?” (John Maynard Keynes, English economist)
“It is never too late to give up your prejudices” (Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist, essayist)
….Top of post image, Keep an Open Mind, from dreamstime.com
