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Life Skills: Open-mindedness is listening to new ideas

Teaching character and life skills to students

Being open-minded is not just about trying new things – it is also about trying new ideas, or at the least being open to listen to new ideas.  One of the best examples of this is the reaction of the giant organization IBM in the brand new age of computers.  IBM was a company that had built themselves on their service and “main frame” computers.  These were huge and powerful and used by large corporations.  However along came the idea of a “personal” computer, one that would sit on your desk and used by the common person in an office.  The reaction was that this was a silly idea, one that would serve no purpose and not useful.  But as time has passed we see that not being open to this ‘new idea’ caused IBM to fall behind in that area of business and they had to scramble to make up for this lost time.

Being open to new ideas though also means that we have to use our common sense and measure the ideas against our morals, values and ethics.  Not all new ideas are good for everyone, not all are legal, not all are healthy.  How do you know when a new idea is a good one or bad one?  One way is to ask yourself what your brain, heart, and gut tells you.  “Is this new idea a good choice for me?”  If we are not sure or just confused we may need more information or we may need to ask someone that is more experienced than ourselves.

Being open minded does not give us license to do things that are illegal, or that hurt others or ourselves.  It does allow us to listen to and make choices that are good for ourselves and others.

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Life Skills: Open Mindedness & Trying New Things

Teaching character and life skills to students

When any of us are getting ready to try something new there is always a bit of nervousness, anxiety or maybe just plain scared.  This is true for our children too as they wonder if they will be good at something, will people laugh at me if I mess up, or what if I don’t like it?

Most of us though have had an experience or two that we can look back on and remember having those feelings.  It is good to use those experiences with our children so they can see how this is a normal reaction and that you are there to keep them safe.  It is also good to use some of their past experiences, like trying a new food or a new activity as an example of being safe.

With older children I love to use learning to ride a bike as an example.  Getting up on the bike without training wheels for the first time is daunting and if, I mean when, we fall off – it can increase the anxiety.  But with our reassurance that we are there for them eventually they get it and then bike riding is fun and can become one of our favorite things to do.

Most important for parents is to remember that all children are different and have different needs as they approach new activities. Some may have to watch others performing or learning prior to them trying.  Some may need time to think about it, while others may want to jump right in and go for it no matter the risks.  There is not a good or bad way of approaching new things, but keeping an open mind to trying new things is important.

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Life Skills: Open-Mindedness – The Definition

Teaching character and life skills to students

Each month we define and discuss a word of character development and life skill with all of our students.

This month the word is Open-Mindedness and will be defined this way.

 

Young students: Open-Mindedness means, “I try new things and listen to new ideas.”

Older students: Open-Mindedness means:  Being open to new ideas and different ways of doing things.

The worksheets for our students can be found here and on our member site:  Balanced Life Skills Students Beginning in January the worksheets will be on the members site only.  Please join our site even if you are not a student of BLS at this time.

Open Mindedness Project-Tiger Tots and 5/6 year olds Dec2012

Open Mindedness Project-7-12 year olds Dec2012

Open Mindedness Project-TeensAdults_Dec2012

If you would like to see how we will talk about Open-Mindedness with our students please follow our discussions here during the month of DECEMBER or come in and TRY A CLASS.

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open-mindedness: we are all the same

Over the past couple of weeks I have used an artistic symbol for tolerance when discussing the word open-mindedness.  In reality tolerance is not one of my favorite words.  To me it sounds or feels like we are just putting up with something, while not really having respect for the rights of the other person to think or do things in a manner that is right for them. 

In my studies of both religious and secular teachings, of people from all walks of life, it just amazes me how all of them (that I know of) teach much the same things about how to treat each other and how to be successful in life.  Their cultures may be different, their traditions may be different but the bottom line values, ethics and morals are the same. 

One of the subjects that I enjoy studying is peace, both personal and community.  The teachings of all that I have reviewed all come down to some very simple things.  When we mix with others who think differently or express ideas differently it enriches our own beliefs and strengthens our own respect for humans and life.  I once thought about writing a book about how different and yet how much we are the same. 

Here is a challenge for you.  Find someone to tell you how they celebrate holidays or about their traditions, challenges, concerns of the world.  Listen deeply and share your own traditions and ideas with them.   See what you learn and how you feel.  

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open-mindedness: listening to new ideas

On the subject of open-mindedness we have raised the idea that listening to others is good for us as we hear new ideas and new ways of doing things.  If everyone was closed to new ideas think of the many inventions and other things that may have been delayed or never happened in our world.

Some are closed off though due to fear of change or they may just not want to be seen as having been wrong in the past.  Sometimes we just like to hear ourselves talk and we may even be trying to impress others with how much we know and so never get to hear the thoughts of others. 

There is a story in the martial arts world of a student who is visiting a master instructor who he really wants to impress with his own knowledge, thinking that this would bring special privileges as a student.  After listening for quite a long time the master instructor invited the student to have some tea.  He poured the tea continuously until the cup was overflowing.  He continued to pour until the student could no longer stand it and screamed for him to stop.  The teacher did stop and the student asked him why he poured to such an extent.  The masters answer is telling.  “Like this cup you’re full of your own ideas.  How can I teach you anything unless you are willing to first empty your cup?”  Is our cup empty or are we only filled with our own way of thinking?

Its not that all new ideas are good ideas.  Its not that all ideas are good for everyone.  It could be that some ideas may be good for some and not for others.  But unless we are willing to hear them out we will not be in a position to think about them and make a choice. 

The choice should be ours from a position of knowledge.  When we hear about something new or a way of thinking about something that is different than our present way of thinking we need to choose if this is a good or bad choice for us.  By the way just because an idea is new, bold, exciting, or innovative, does not mean that it may also be foolish.  Only by using our own mind and careful consideration can we come to a conclusion that would be good for us or our family.


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open-mindedness: overcoming fear of meeting new people

As we talk about the idea of open-mindedness we do not need to lose our convictions or preferences, but being open to new approaches or new way of doing things will help us to grow.  One way of doing this is to meet new people and be willing to listen to them and their story.  

One of my instructors talks to us on a regular basis about “who do you hang out with?”  If we are choosing to only be with people that think the same way as we do then our ability to grow and expand our thinking and creativity will be limited.  But this is hard at times to do because of the fear we have inside us.

I have that fear.  When going into a room of people I do not know, all kinds of questions run through my mind.  Will I meet anyone I know?  Will the people I meet like me?  Will I say something stupid?  But here is what I have learned.  Be open to meeting new people with the idea in your mind of – What can I do to help you?  Yes, what can I do for you?  Not what can I get from this person.  
 
Once you have this point of reference the conversations flow easier and it really puts us at ease.  Just as important, you will listen more closely to the person speaking so you can hear their point of view.  When that happens is when being openminded will really pay off, with increased knowledge and awareness of other ways of thinking.