WikiHow has 35 ways that can stimulate our minds, like listen to music, look at arts, read stuff that you never read before. Main idea is to try out different things – things you never do before. An open mind trying out new stuff everyday will make you more creative and smarter. Here are some interesting suggestions:
– While waiting (in line at the bank, a coffee shop, a restaurant, the grocery store, or waiting for someone to pick you up, or a show on TV to start), ponder things, calculate, memorize. You can, for example, memorize digits of Pi (you can get to 50 in a matter of hours, 200 in a matter of weeks), try and remember all of your high school teachers’ names, memorize Prime Numbers, get fast at reciting the alphabet backwards, the Greek alphabet (forwards and backwards), remember as many movies that Tom Cruise has been in, try Doubling numbers, start at 1, to 2, to 4, to 8, till you get to larger numbers than you can handle.
– Open your mind to other political points of view. If you are a conservative, listen to Air American, read Alternet and watch some films of Michael Moore. If you are a liberal, listen to Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly, read the Washington Times or the InstaPundit, and watch Fox News. You may find it hard to stomach at first, but in time you might find a grain of truth in what your nemesis has to say. Even if you don’t, you’ll be able to argue with one of “them” much more intelligently.
– Try to see another persons perspective. What is important to that person? What is he or she self-conscious about? Is that person as open minded as you?
Hat tips Venki for the link!
How to Exercise an Open Mind – [wikiHow]
