This article was co-authored by Sandra Possing. Sandra Possing is a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sandra specializes in one-on-one coaching with a focus on mindset and leadership transformation. Sandra received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has seven years of life coaching experience. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Our minds have so much potential to expand and grow, but sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a certain way of thinking if we’re always doing the same things and not challenging ourselves. Not to worry–expanding your thinking is totally possible as long as you’re willing to change things up. We’ve compiled some tips to help you switch up your mindset, spark your creativity, open your mind to new ideas and information, and start experiencing new things. Check out the steps below to get started!
Steps
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Social networks are extremely important in helping us grow as people. New people bring new experiences, ideas, and beliefs that can challenge and expand our own way of thinking.[16]
- Join a club or society that centers around your interests. For example, join a board game club, an environmental society, or a knitting group.
- Try to encounter people with different beliefs, cultural practices, and lifestyles. You might go to a cultural festival, a religious celebration, or a parade.
- Consider joining a sports team. This will require you to work on a team with other people.
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Travel to new places. Travel can expose you to new people, cultures, places, and ways of thinking. Plan trips that will take you somewhere interesting and new. You can travel to a different city, state, or country.[17]
- Keep a curious mindset as you experience different cultures. Instead of judging or making assumptions, focus on learning as much as you can about the way other people live.[18]
- Try to identify what types of things you might be interested in doing. This can help you find the right trip. For example, if you want to see animals and nature, visit a national park. If you're interested in history, find a city with museums, historical buildings, or monuments.
- For a big trip, try visiting a major city, like New York, London, or Tokyo. You may need to save up money for the trip, but it can be an experience that will broaden your horizons.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I expand my thinking?Sandra PossingSandra Possing is a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sandra specializes in one-on-one coaching with a focus on mindset and leadership transformation. Sandra received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has seven years of life coaching experience. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Life CoachTry to seek out new experiences and people who are different from you. When you're having a conversation, focus on really listening to what the other person is saying so you can learn from their perspective. -
QuestionHow do I forgive someone I love who has hurt me so intensely that I cant even handle myself?Paul Chernyak, LPCPaul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
Licensed Professional CounselorTry practicing compassion and acceptance. Forgiveness includes those 2 factors. Once you learn to forgive the other person, you will also learn to forgive yourself as well. -
QuestionHow can l control stress?Paul Chernyak, LPCPaul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
Licensed Professional CounselorBecome aware of where the stress is coming from and try to decrease those triggers or how your think about situations as well.
Tips
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Start with small steps. Sometimes your big goal seems daunting and intimidating. At those times, try to take small and easy steps. They'll help strengthen your morale and confidence to tackle bigger steps in the future.Thanks
Warnings
- You don’t need drugs to expand your mind. By learning and experiencing new things, you’ll find yourself with more permanent benefits than using psychoactive drugs.Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-broaden-your-thinking-find-ideas-2014-9
- ↑ https://welldoing.org/article/powerful-benefits-reading-fiction
- ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-broaden-your-thinking-find-ideas-2014-9
- ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250417
- ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
- ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250417
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
- ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
- ↑ https://medium.com/swlh/how-to-overcome-cognitive-biases-and-make-better-decisions-daeecd38f910
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201506/when-should-you-trust-your-intuition
- ↑ https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-how-long-it-takes-to-break-a-habit-according-to-science
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/challenge-your-mind-and-body-to-sharpen-your-thinking-skills-201510298507
- ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/03/for-a-more-creative-brain-travel/388135/
- ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/challenge-your-mind-and-body-to-sharpen-your-thinking-skills-201510298507
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/challenge-your-mind-and-body-to-sharpen-your-thinking-skills-201510298507
- ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250417
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201712/6-scientific-ways-boost-your-brain-health
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
About This Article
One way to expand your mind is to become more informed by reading books, stories, and news every day. While non-fiction books and the news are important for learning about the world, consider reading fiction stories as well because they can open your mind up to new possibilities you may have never imagined. On the flip side, writing is just as beneficial, so keep a daily journal to track your life or try writing a fictional short story. You might find that writing will help you process your thoughts and analyze problems in a new way. Consider posting your writing on a blog, so you can connect with new people who can introduce you to new ideas. For more tips from our co-author, including how to be more aware of the world around you through mindfulness, read on!
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