Listen Before Speaking

As I have grown older, I’ve learned to stay open-minded, which has become one of my most valuable habits. It has influenced many of my decisions and contributed to my professional growth. Being open-minded doesn’t mean abandoning my values; it means being humble enough to recognize that I don’t know everything and don’t have all the answers. There’s always something to learn from others.

Being open-minded isn’t always easy. As a young adult, I often believed it was my way or the highway. Looking back, I might have missed out on personal connections and business opportunities because of this attitude. Luckily, everything changed when my son was born 17 years ago. That event sparked a shift in my mindset, helping me become less selfish and more receptive to others’ perspectives, enabling me to listen better.

There have been many times when I thought I was right, only to realize later that I was wrong because I lacked key information. These experiences remind me that open-mindedness is not a trait to master once; it’s a discipline that must be practiced every day. It requires humility to consider another viewpoint and courage to admit when someone else has a better idea.

People have the right to think and speak as they wish, regardless of how wrong or ignorant we may believe them to be. We come from different backgrounds and experience life in various ways, so no two perspectives are the same. When I take the time to see life through someone else’s eyes, I become more understanding, patient, and compassionate.

Staying open-minded has helped me grow, succeed, and live with purpose, and it remains one of my strongest tools for living with zero regrets.

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