I believe that the mind is the most powerful asset we have and although we have this tremendous tool, many of us struggle to use it to its full potential.  Personally, I know it’s easy to fall into a few traps that restrict the mind to surface level thinking - often because it is the path of least resistance.  But there are things we can do to engage our minds on a deeper level.

We celebrate the “quiz show genius” who seems to know everything and consider that the pinnacle of intelligence.  Our school system primarily teaches us how to memorize and regurgitate information on tests.  On the flip side, when Henry Ford’s intelligence was questioned by the Chicago Tribune in court and he was unable to answer questions about history, facts and famous people, he responded by suggesting that if he really wanted to know the answer to any of those questions, he could find someone who knows within five minutes.  When Albert Einstein was asked how many meters were in a mile, he replied; “I don't know why I have to fill my brain with the information I can find in a book in 2 minutes.”  In my opinion, knowing where to find information is far more important that knowing that information.

If we want to use our minds to create history instead of recording the history that others create, we have to let go of the idea that it’s important to memorize an abundance of random facts, and embrace the importance of problem solving.  One way we can become better problem solvers is by spending less time trying to convince others of our point of view and more time asking questions.  

Confirmation bias suggests that we develop our thoughts and then look to prove ourselves right.  I find myself guilty of this often and have recently been trying to ask, “What if I’m wrong?”.  This poignant question usually leads to more questions.  The more questions we ask, the deeper level of understanding we achieve.  When we take things at face value, we are only using our mind at a surface level and it leaves us with one way of approaching a problem, issue or challenge.  When we have the courage to ask questions, we reach a deeper level of understanding and we are able to approach the things we encounter in our lives from multiple angles because of our broader perspective.

Aristotle said; “It’s the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”  Just because we open ourselves up to the possibility that we are wrong, does not mean we have to let go of our opinions and beliefs.  It simply means we are willing to expose our minds to opposing view points that make our minds even stronger and leads to what I would consider closer to our full potential.  So the question for you as you do some self reflection is; how are you using your mind?  During your encounters with other people, especially those who disagree with you, are you trying to be right? or are you trying to understand?

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