Have you ever assumed something was good or bad, right or wrong, only to discover it was your assumption that was in error? If we want to live a happy and successful life, we need to make a point to not jump to conclusions.
Sometimes, success requires doing things we might not 100% agree with. We need to make decisions based on a combination of logical rationale and our personal needs. This can be tricky, but it’s possible.
An Open Mind Doesn’t Always Follow the Crowd
A little over five years ago I bought a house. Don’t get me wrong, I love my house and it’s been a decent investment. But I dislike being a homeowner. I dislike the expenses and unexpected emergencies.
When I tell friends and family members I’m considering selling my house this spring, they all freak out. “No!” they say. “Why would you sell your house, it’s an investment?” And I’ve kept an open mind about their view for the past few years. Here’s what they say:
- A home is an investment.
- It increases in equity.
- It’s your security in retirement.
These things may all be true. However, having an open mind requires that I look at the other side of the coin. By doing this I might just choose the less popular route, sell my house, and go back to renting an apartment.
An Open Mind Weighs Things Carefully
Don’t believe for a minute that I haven’t put a lot of thought into this potential decision. I have. But there are many other reasons to keep an open mind.
If you’re in business, you need to treat others equally and fairly. If you hold biases toward different types of individuals, it will show. This could hurt your potential sales. Choose your words and actions carefully.
Sometimes quick decisions must be made. But more often, we should consider a variety of alternatives before making a decision. It’s often when we jump to conclusions that we hurt ourselves and others.
An Open Mind Is Slow to Judge
I used to think negatively about people who choose a gay or transgender lifestyle. But over the past 10-15 years I’ve come to several conclusions about people and their lifestyle choices:
- Everyone has the right to be who they are.
- Each person’s past has shaped their decisions to become who they are.
- Being open-minded and loving helps us to understand others more completely.
- Jesus said, “Judge not lest ye be judged.”
Not only will you learn more about others when you keep an open mind, but others will learn more about you. You’ll be known as a fair and compassionate person. That goes a long way if you’re trying to lead others.
Super habit #33 might just be the most important habit on the list. When you keep an open mind, you make better decisions, you think things through, and you love others more completely.
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