10 ways to broaden your mind

10 ways to broaden your mind
We are all conditioned by our upbringing and our environment. To get on in the world, you need to challenge some of the prejudices and views you grew up with, replacing them with more worldly views. In fact the older you are, the harder you might need to work on this.
Here are ten ways to broaden your mind:
1. Learning – Education is not just for the young. Evening classes, online training and flexible college programmes means that everyone has the chance to learn. Never stop learning.
2. Travel – Visit other places and see how people live. You don’t always need to go far to do this. There will be people living with both extreme wealth and grinding poverty within 10 miles of your front door.
3. Take risks – To really challenge your perceptions might involve meeting people or visiting places that make you feel uncomfortable. Risk ridicule and rejection and do it anyway. Others may learn from your discomfort.
4. Take the bus – If you normally travel by car, try using public transport for a week. See how difficult it is. Talk to other passengers.
5. Do an exchange – Some employers allow their people to swap jobs with distant colleagues from time to time. (If yours doesn’t, suggest it). This lets you live and work in a different cultural environment.
6. Open your door – Offer your spare room to people visiting your town on any organised event. Perhaps a town twinning. Try to return to their homes to see how they live.
7. Volunteer – If you’re a chef, spend an evening at a soup kitchen for the homeless. You’re probably not a chef, but find your own similar example.
8. Go on retreat – We rarely spend time on our own. Retreats are opportunities to spend time with yourself, free of distractions. Get to know yourself better, it’s surprisingly revealing.
9. Act – Role play, perhaps on stage, enables you to get under your character’s skin. See how it feels to be somebody else.
10. Hear – Whatever else you do, remain receptive and hear what’s said.
Retreats
Too many people feel that going on a retreat is too monastic. It doesn’t have tp be a religious experience, although if you have a Faith, it might help. Many retreats are organised by religious communities simply because they have the facility to offer peace and tranquillity.
A search of the internet will show you that there are two main types of retreat.
1. Organised – where there is a facilitator, a group and a programme. You will be asked about yourself when booking so that the group is balanced and people have some things in common.
2. Unorganised – where you are left to manage your own time. Often though, there will be someone you can talk to when you feel then need.

Of course you can be strong willed, switch off the TV and phone and have a retreat at home, but finding somewhere soothing with fewer distractions is usually better. Good places to go include:
1. An island – where you have a limited territory to explore
2. The country – if you are a town dweller and want to notice nature.
3. Abroad – perhaps to where you don’t speak the language.
4. Your parents’ house – when they are away on holiday.

Bringing it to life
We all have a tendency to keep ourselves busy. This occupies our minds and prevents us thinking about bigger issues. In fact for some, being very busy is the product of a sub-conscious desire to avoid facing up to reality.
Without being silly and spiritual, it is important that you broaden your mind and get to know yourself. AS you grow, you will need the inner strength and resilience that only sound self knowledge can give you.

Many of these tips and more can be found in my book The Life Plan.