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
Definition: open mindedness
In personal growth, open mindedness is an attitude that invites fresh ideas yet keeps a strong filter. It listens first, then tests each thought against solid facts, looks for clear logic, dismisses claims with no proof, and updates its view when better evidence appears.
Show CG4D Definition
- Welcomes new ideas while setting a clear value filter
- Tests each idea against facts and sound logic
- Rejects claims that lack evidence or reason
- Updates beliefs when stronger proof emerges
Article Summary
Open-mindedness is not accepting every thought; it is choosing, with proof and expert insight, which ideas earn a place in your mind so your limited time builds sound, useful knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why is being open minded about every idea risky?
How can I stay open minded yet practise critical thinking?
What quick questions help me evaluate information?
Why are all opinions not equal in value?
How do I spot trash statements online?
What role does time management play in open mindedness?
Should I listen to social media “experts”?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Ofcom’s News Consumption in the UK 2024 report shows 69% of adults worry about online misinformation, up from 64% in 2021. DataReportal’s Digital 2024 report states that the average internet user spends 6 hours 40 minutes online each day, including 2 hours 23 minutes on social media.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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