My world used to be very small. It was defined by the four walls of my room and the habits that kept me stuck there.
I thought I knew what I liked and what I didn’t. I had my routines down. Wake up late, play video games, eat whatever was easy, and repeat. My mind was closed to anything that challenged this little bubble I had built. I was comfortable in my misery and completely unaware that the door to a better life was right there. I just had to be willing to open it.
Maybe you feel that way too. Stuck. Certain about your world but unhappy with it. An open mindset isn't some magic trick. It's the simple decision to stop assuming you have all the answers. It’s about becoming a student of life again. For me, it was the key that unlocked everything else from losing over 110 pounds to building a life of purpose.
Why an Open Mindset Changes Everything
When your mind is closed you live in a world of limits. You see challenges as threats. You see new ideas as criticism. You see other people's success as a reminder of your own failure. It’s a defensive way to live and it’s exhausting.
Opening your mind changes the entire picture. Challenges become opportunities to learn. New ideas become tools you can use. Other people's stories become sources of inspiration. You stop fighting the world and start working with it. This shift was fundamental for me. I couldn't break my addictions to gaming and binge eating until I was open to the idea that there was a different way to live. A better way.
15 Ways to Build an Open Mindset
Building an open mindset is a daily practice. It’s made of small choices that add up over time. Here are some practical ways to get started.
- Listen More Than You Talk. The next time you’re in a conversation make it a goal to understand the other person’s point of view not just wait for your turn to speak. You might learn something.
- Read Something Different. Go to a library or bookstore and pick up a book on a topic you know nothing about. History. Science. A biography. It doesn't matter. Just expose your brain to new information.
- Ask “Why” About Your Own Beliefs. Take a belief you hold strongly. Ask yourself why you believe it. Then ask why again. Digging deeper helps you understand the foundation of your own thoughts.
- Admit When You’re Wrong. Quickly. Saying “I was wrong” is a superpower. It shows humility and a willingness to grow. I had to admit my entire lifestyle was wrong before I could change it. It was a painful but necessary first step.
- Talk to Someone New. This could be a coworker you don’t know well or an older member of your church. Ask them about their life. People’s stories are treasure chests of wisdom.
- Try a New Food. It’s a small, simple way to break out of your routine and experience something new. You might hate it. Or you might find a new favorite dish. The outcome doesn’t matter as much as the act of trying.
- Explore Your Own Town. We often ignore the interesting things right in our backyard. Visit a local museum a park you’ve never been to or a historic site. See your home through the eyes of a tourist.
- Learn a Simple New Skill. Watch a video on how to cook a new recipe fix a leaky faucet or tie a new knot. The act of learning builds confidence and opens your mind to your own potential.
- Pray for Wisdom. For me strengthening my Orthodox Christian faith has been crucial. I don’t pray for God to solve my problems. I pray for the wisdom to see the path He has for me. It shifts the focus from my limited understanding to His infinite one.
- Find the Truth in Criticism. Nobody likes to be criticized. But sometimes there’s a piece of truth hidden in it. Instead of getting defensive ask yourself: “Is there even 1% of this that I could learn from?”
- Change Your Daily Routine. Take a different route to work. Eat lunch at a different time. Small changes can shake you out of autopilot and make you see the day differently.
- Ask for Help. A closed mind says “I have to do this all myself.” An open mind understands the value of community and guidance. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.
- Celebrate Small Wins. When I started my weight loss journey I didn’t focus on the 110 pounds I had to lose. I celebrated losing the first pound. Then I celebrated a week of healthy eating. These small victories built momentum and kept me going. Celebrate your small steps in learning and growing.
- Practice Daily Gratitude. Every day I write down a few things I’m grateful for. A sunny day. A good conversation. A simple meal. This practice rewired my brain to look for the good in my life instead of focusing on what was wrong.
- Be Curious. Approach the world with the curiosity of a child. Ask questions. Wonder how things work. Don’t just accept things as they are. This sense of wonder is the heart of an open mind.
Your First Step
You don’t have to do all of these things at once. That would be overwhelming. The journey from a closed mind to an open one starts with a single step. It begins with the humility to admit that maybe there’s a better way.
Look at the list again. Which one feels the easiest or most interesting to you right now?
What’s one small thing you can do this week to gently push the door to your mind open just a little wider?
