W.I.N. Wednesday: Are you focused on being right, or being better?
The below two quotes are from the FS (Farnam Street) Brain Food Newsletter last week.
“Imagine what you could accomplish if you weren't focused on being right all the time.”
“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already.”
Tolstoy
Reading them caused me to pause and reflect on the times where I have been focused on being right, instead of being better. In those moments I was firmly persuaded that I already knew and therefore was not open to new information, new insights, new data, and a potentially new way of thinking. I am sure I came across as being arrogant, rather that being curious. “Stay Curious” is one of my Core Values and there are times where I need to remind myself to close my mouth, open my ears and my mind, stay curious, listen, learn, and grow.
This does not mean that I will always change my stance or position on a topic. It does mean that I will listen and be open to changing my position in the face of new and more compelling data. It does mean that I will be open and curious to others’ perspectives and points of view and be open to discussing the topic.
I also need to remind myself that when I have those moments where I get caught up in being right and am firmly persuaded that I already know, it does not make me a bad person. It is a simple reminder that I am human. It is also an opportunity to take a breath, take a step back from needing to be right, and open my mind to potentially new information, new insights, and new possibilities.
What’s Important Now? Stay curious. Keep your ears and your mind open.
Take care.
Brian Willis
www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com
ONE QUESTION BRINGING FOCUS AND CLARITY IN THE CHAOS AND COMPLEXITY OF TODAY'S WORLD.
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