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One of the most valuable skills you can have is the ability to think clearly and rationally — to process information, exhibit good judgment, engage in intelligent problem solving, and make smart decisions. But this skill is sometimes elusive. Here are essential principles to ensure that you have a fresh perspective.

Protect yourself from bad information. Scrutinize information carefully. You are what you eat AND the information that you digest. Your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs hang in the balance.

Get a dose of reality. Seek the Truth. Venture outside your comfort zone. Embrace vigorous discussion and debate. Challenge your opinions.

See the big picture. Don’t get buried in the details. One puzzle piece can’t reveal the whole picture. Stand back and get a fresh perspective.

Be objective. Encourage diverse viewpoints. See things from all angles. Compare and contrast without bias. Judge an idea based on its merits.

Control your mindset. You can’t control everything. But you can control your response to things.

Remain calm. Take a deep breath. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Think clearly — and get a fresh perspective.

Have no fear. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Fear and worry are often worse than the ultimate outcome.

See problems for what they are. Problems don’t last forever. If it won’t matter in a year or two, it’s not worth the worry.

Look ahead. Look forward. Leave the past behind.

Think for yourself. Form your own thoughts and opinions. Follow your instinct. What makes you think others know better?

Be open-minded. Expand your horizons. Celebrate diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Challenge the status quo.

Get in the right frame of mind. See the bright side. If you think you can’t, you won’t. You get what you expect.

Set priorities. Focus on things that matter. Everything is not of equal importance.

Measure progress. Are you busy to a fault? Take the time to think and reflect. Being busy is not the same as being productive.

Be introspective. Own your own life. Look in the mirror. Be honest with yourself. Those who love to find faults in others rarely find faults in themselves.

Changing your mindset is a game changer.

Frank Sonnenberg

https://www.franksonnenbergonline.com/blog/how-to-have-a-fresh-perspective/