It’s so natural, thanks to our intellectual factors, for us to judge things. So natural, in fact, that we don’t even realize we’re doing it.
That outfit does not suit her. My child would never lie. What you said is so hurtful. I have the best boss ever. The weather sucks. Bermuda is the most beautiful island. That idiot just cut me off. I’m the only one who can lead that project. People who are late have no respect.
We label, create stories, and establish opinions by applying our filters – morals, conditioning, values, religion, safety, usefulness, meaningfulness, or through our experience – and lightning fast, take a position.
We justify that position based on our truth, what we believe at the time. Sometimes that perspective serves us and other times it can create a barrier to creative solutions and meaningful relationships.
What is the risk of entertaining new perspectives?
Aha! ~ Be open-minded. It’s not like your brain is going to fall out.
Being open-minded means pausing at the point of judgment to take the position of the observer.
Step back from a situation and see it objectively, perhaps ask clarifying questions about what is happening then respond in a way that inspires growth, empowerment, and positivity. It may make continued sense to maintain your perspective and the pause is a safe way to create the best outcome.
Okay so Traveler magazine did vote Bermuda the #1 Island in the Caribbean and Atlantic for 2018 (so it’s not just me) but I’m open-minded enough to do some island-hopping ... for research purposes, of course.
I keep hearing that we’ve never been more divided and I couldn’t agree more. What’s odd about that is that as humans, it’s far more natural for us to co-think, co-create and essentially co-exist. Think of the last time a disaster of any magnitude happened in your neighbourhood; everyone dropped their biases and simply pitched in to get everyone out, right? That’s who we are as humans. It’s our programming that makes us not be ourselves. Ready to take #AHumanApproach?
Succeed Deliberately!
Jae M. Rang, MAS
Strategist, Speaker, Author, Mom
