Ask anyone on the street, the guy in line, the woman picking up her kids, the man behind the counter, almost anyone you meet, just simply ask them: “Do you like to learn? Are you open to new things, new experiences, new ideas? Are you teachable?”
The common and terse and short answer you will usually get is, “Yes, of course.”
But are they really? What qualifies one to be teachable, to be able to grow and absorb and see the borders and walls and limitations that are put around their world, the repelling of the infinite possibilities that are asking, every moment, this very instant, to be let in?
A closed mind is a serious thing, but a protected mind is perhaps a vital thing, for there are those who exude negativity, who can penetrate the undisciplined mind and enter the sanctuary of your harmony by sheer proximity, by being close to you.
So first, it is vital to tend and guard and be ever so careful what influences you are willing to let enter the powerful mind, so as not to drain or dwindle or dim its supreme power.
But in this world of rapid change, in a world of technology creating so many new electronic options, so many changes in the marketplace, so many distractions, people, things, ideas, products, services all vying for your attention (then add to all this massive perceived change), beliefs that “I have to do all this, spin more plates, balance the world, my world, my family, my everything,” that this very belief, this buying into idea of “I must be in states of overwhelm,” into the idea of not having enough, enough resources, enough time, enough of me to get it all done, yes, this right now in the early 21st century, is the biggest issue, and the one thing that is contributing to not being teachable.
Simply put, when the sponge is full, the mind is jam-packed, it cannot hold anything more. Wring out the sponge, calm the mind, clarify the purpose, take time to clean up your mess, “to clean up your vision,” to focus on an obsession, a meaning goal, a definiteness of purpose, and it will free the mind, and it will enable you to be more teachable, in a learning mode, in a curiosity mode, so that you can gather and wonder and stay in states of new mind, and open to new ideas, opportunities and the enchantment of this wondrous life.
You may be teachable at the beginning of the day, at the beginning of a seminar, but after all the overload, and stimuli and information, you may not be teachable for long, not at the end of the day.
To be teachable, it is vital to calm the mind, to calm the purpose and meaning of your life, so it has enough room in the glass to add more, enough perceptions in the mind to let in the light, the truth, the wisdom, the understanding, so others (those with ideals and purposes and truths) can add to your mind and expand its ideals and beliefs and limitations and push aside the self-limiting thoughts that you have allowed to roam around and influence and hold you back.
Today, meditate, take moments to stop thinking, to get creative, to become alarmingly open to new ideas, to alternate paths to the top of the mountain, and make a commitment to realize you may be not as teachable right now, but it is a changing option in you.
So clean out (control) the debris and clean out the stray, unnecessary distractions and random thoughts so you can absorb more, engage more, create a better life that is dazzled and dazzling on the planes of higher consciousness; this will open doors, and open greater opportunities and will design a blueprint of what your goals and life and worthy causes can become.
Being teachable is not a static thing, it must be challenged and cared for and encouraged and let free each and every moment. Keep your attention on this vital part of who you are, and who you can become, by gaining more insight into an infinite reality that is forever wanting you to learn more, earn more, and come out and play.
As the founder of One Business Connection and author of “The Power of One,” Greg Petri is an acclaimed expert at this, that and the other thing. For more information contact Mr. Petri directly at 303-818-2460.