Resolve to Change Your Mind

Although we have learned that affirmations are more sustainable than traditional annual resolutions, like many of you at this time of year, I still consider what New Year's resolutions I might make or break. This year, I suggest that we might begin by simply resolving to change our minds. By this I mean that we should commit ourselves to question our own thinking and actively introduce new information and data into our decision making process and actions. When we find support for going in another direction, let’s take the new direction – let’s change our minds.

Whenever we feel absolutely certain of our correct path, let's pause and take some time to explore alternate routes even if it means that we ultimately confirm our previously known course. Further, let's get in the habit of questioning what we believe we know as often as possible; building the process of reconsideration into our decision making. The more important the decision, the more important it is to question, even if it means that we need to publicly and openly announce our new course of action.

When we are questioned by others, let's not regurgitate our standard rebuttal paragraphs, perhaps before our questioner has even finished speaking. Let’s not replay our verbal tapes with our version of “the truth” that we can repeat for others like audio selections on an MP3 player. Sometimes we do this (sometimes I do this), when we think we know what the other person is going to say. If we know what they're going to say and we're running our prerecorded tapes and therefore know what we're going to say, what's the point of exchanging ideas? What's the point of taking in new information if we're not going process it, possess it, assess it, address it, and reassess it? Process it – consider new information; possess it – own the decision; assess it – review performance using objective measures; address it – take action; reassess it – review performance based on our new direction. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Finally, when we open ourselves up to new points of view, let's be open to all sources – bosses, employees, coworkers, students, children, significant others, strangers – everyone – even the person in the mirror. The voices in your head (self-talk) aren't always a bad thing and the person speaking might be smarter than you realize.