Challenging your existing beliefs and considering new ideas can give you a new view of the world and also teach you new ones. Surround yourself with the right people. Open-mindedness is often thought of as a one-way street. Either you're open-minded to the world around you, or you're not.
But what we learned from talking to Celeste LeCompte, a journalist who had her own important and revealing moment, is that, in fact, the best conditions for an open mind go both ways. A few years ago, LeCompte spent two hours talking to a friend about their different views on the death penalty, and because they both remained calm and curious, they were able to open up to each other. And, ultimately, that's what made the difference. So what does it mean to be open-minded? Being open-minded means welcoming new ideas, arguments, and information that you don't normally align with.
Open-mindedness is a positive quality and allows those who use it to think critically and rationally. It's very important to be able to get out of your comfort zone and consider other ideas and perspectives, especially today. You can challenge your existing beliefs and learn different perspectives by leaving your comfort zone. Try to get used to exposing yourself to new situations, reading something different, or doing an activity you've never done before.
Don't rush and do new things gradually from time to time. Listening to different opinions can also help broaden your view of things. All of these new things can open up new opportunities for you and train your mind to be more open minded. This story comes from Life Kit, NPR's family of podcasts to help improve lives, which ranges from exercising to raising children to making friends.
