Is Being Open Minded a Good Thing?
Is Being Open Minded a Good Thing?
All our lives, we have been told that we should "keep an open mind" and to listen to others, since everyone's opinion has value.
I used to believe that, but now I'm not so sure.
Not everyone's opinion is equally valuable.
YouTube gurus and part-time pundits love to dish-out their uninformed advice. Their audience blindly follows this defective advice in the mistaken belief that it is right to "keep an open mind on all matters", and the correct policy is to "try everything once and see what happens".
I don't think you should pick up any idea, and swallow it, any more than you should pick up a sweet off the floor and swallow that.
You wouldn't leave the front door of your house wide-open for anyone to enter; you choose to shut and lock the door and admit only those people who have the desire and ability to add value to you.
Likewise, do not allow just any idea into your mind. Only admit those voices who offer you informed, fact-based information, and reasonable deductions derived from it.
Limited time.
You only have a limited time, yet you face a limitless flood of information. So, you cannot afford to be indiscriminate in your reading and listening.
Therefore, be more selective.
Tune-out the trash.
The thing that all trashy statements have in common, is that they lack any real content; they consist mainly of arbitrary opinions, devoid of value.
Many claims are made without proof. We are left unsure what the speaker is trying to say, or how they validate their claims.
It is unnecessary to concern ourselves with every morsel of political intrigue, media madness or Facebook fiction.
Time is short, and there are better and more important things to read. We will never run out of factual reading that concerns itself with profound knowledge; scientific, technological, philosophical and social.
Skip the trash and hit the hard stuff.
Set aside and ignore the garbage that is unsuitable for your rational mind; and instead, concentrate on voices of value.
"Don't listen to the person who has the answers; listen to the person who has the questions." Albert Einstein
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Personal Development
-
Is Being Open Minded a Good Thing?
Open minded people are eager and willing to consider other people's ideas and opinions. Whilst open mindedness can be a good thing, it is advisable to proceed with this cautionary advice.
Read Article > -
Four forces that affect you
Four forces that affect you You are continually affected by four forces: Your own thoughts and actions. The actions of others. Mother Nature. Systems. With respect to these four forces, most people tend to fall into two personality types: They tend to have one of two ways of looking at the...
Read Article > -
Why Some People Are More Successful Than Others
Success is something we all strive for in our lives. But what makes some people more successful than others? Successful people share common traits, that you too can learn and apply to become more successful.
Read Article > -
Develop Your People Management Skills
In order to manage people you need to use the right approach. You need to develop your people management skills.
Read Article > -
The Personal Development Programme (PDP)
Your personal development programme is a method of systematising your approach to your own development. Learn more about PDP with Corporate Coach Group.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Development Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 4 days, Online - Teams, places available