Learning to Change Your Mind with Confidence, Intelligence & Maturity

Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Coaching, Self Awareness, Self Management

Critical Thinking, learning to change your mind

By Starla

June 15, 2020

 Minute Read

In his blog post Listening is difficult, Seth Godin notes:

"Hearing happens when we’re able to recognize a sound. Listening happens when we put in the effort to understand what it means. It not only requires focus, but it also requires a commitment to encountering the experience, intent and emotion behind the words. And that commitment can be scary. Because if we’re exposed to that emotion and those ideas, we discover things we might be avoiding."

On the heels of Seth's comments, I'd like to add:

"And we just might realize that we need to change our mind. And when we decide that we do, it will require emotional maturity and a willingness to let go of beliefs that no longer serve us well."

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

In his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Dr. Robert Cialdini notes that humans have a "nearly obsessive desire to be (and to appear) consistent with what we've already said or done. Once we've made a choice or taken a stand, we will encounter personal and interpersonal pressures to behave consistently with that commitment." This is why it can be so darn difficult at times to change our minds.

Dr. Cialdini goes on to say, "We all fool ourselves from time to time in order to keep our thoughts and beliefs consistent with what we have already done or decided."

This is dangerous - especially when a situation and the facts surrounding it require a critical shift in thinking to elicit positive change.


Intelligence is the ability to change your mind when the situation and the facts surrounding it warrant it.

 Maturity is keeping your ego at bay while allowing yourself to do so.

Now, more-than-ever, we must consciously choose to resist this innate urge to remain consistent with previously stated thoughts, beliefs, and actions so that we can engage in critical thinking and problem solving with the confidence and courage to change our minds whenever necessary.

Leave A Reply

What was your favorite lesson from this article? Please let me know, and after you apply what you learned, make sure you share your breakthrough moments and successes with me. And, of course, I welcome your feedback, questions, insight, experience, and suggestions. You can share them here, as well! Critical comments are fine, but we'll delete your comments if you're rude. Please do not put your URL in the comment text, and use your real name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Did you find value in this post?

If so, will you share it with others so they can benefit from it, as well?


Related Posts

Schedule a Meeting, Book a Call, or Submit an Inquiry

Select your preferred option from the dropdown menu.

Schedule A Free 30-Minute Discovery Zoom Meeting

When reviewing available timeslots, remember to select your preferred time zone in the top right-hand corner below.

Information to connect via Zoom will be provided in the calendar invitation sent to you after you confirm this appointment.

When reviewing available timeslots, remember to select your preferred time zone in the top right-hand corner below. Information to connect via Zoom will be provided in the calendar invitation sent to you after you confirm this appointment.

Book A Free 30-Minute Discovery Phone Call

When reviewing available timeslots, remember to select your preferred time zone in the top right-hand corner below.

The phone number at which you can reach me will be provided in the calendar invitation sent to you after you confirm this appointment.

When reviewing available timeslots, remember to select your preferred time zone in the top right-hand corner below. The phone number at which you can reach me will be provided in the calendar invitation sent to you after you confirm this appointment.

Contact Form for General Inquiries

* Required

FIRST NAME*
LAST NAME*
Email*
tell me how i can help*
0 of 500

A copy of your inquiry will be emailed to the address you provide, and you will receive a response within 24 to 48 hours. When you submit your name and email, you are opting in for my email newsletter and relevant upcoming updates from Starla West International. I respect your privacy. Your email address will not be shared or sold. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact Form for General Inquiries

* Required

FIRST Name*
last name*
Email*
Message*
0 of 1000

A copy of your inquiry will be emailed to the address you provide, and you will receive a response within 24 to 48 hours. When you submit your name and email, you are opting in for my email newsletter and relevant upcoming updates from Starla West International. I respect your privacy. Your email address will not be shared or sold. You can unsubscribe at any time.

>