- Read Time: 10 minutes
- By: Jen
- Updated: June 5, 2024
Ever pondered over the transformative power of embracing new experiences?
It’s a journey that can reshape your life in ways you never imagined.
Imagine the possibilities of boosting your creativity, deepening relationships, strengthening your mind and body, improving your finances, and making a meaningful impact on the world. This is the life that awaits you, a life where you feel more connected, inspired, and fulfilled.
Openness is not just a key, it’s a gateway to unlocking your potential and achieving your most ambitious goals. It’s a path that leads to personal growth and a brighter future.
Let’s explore some Openness examples. These real-life scenarios will help you understand how Openness can be your gateway to personal growth.
Ready to take the first step?
This is the third article in our Openness deep dive mini-series.
You can skip the deep dive and go straight to the summary, How to Open Up to Growth: Nurturing Your Openness Personality Trait.
Or you can check out the whole series:
- What is Openness? A Deep Dive into the Big Five Personality OCEAN
- How to Become More Open: Simple Steps to Start
- Openness Examples: How Openness Affects the Six Pillars of Your Life
What is Openness?
Have you ever heard of someone being described as “open-minded”?
Well, that’s all about a personality trait called Openness to Experience. It’s basically a way of describing how willing you are to try new things and see the world from different points of view.
Pretty awesome, right?
You can learn more about what Openness is in the article, What is Openness? A Deep Dive into the Big Five Personality OCEAN.
What Are the Six Pillars of Personal Growth?
You need a solid foundation to reach your full potential. The six pillars of personal growth are what provide it. They’re the foundation stones for building the best version of yourself.
There are three pillars that I consider ‘internal’ to you. They are what makes up ‘you.’
Internal Pillars:
- Mind: This pillar is all about keeping your brain healthy and happy. It includes learning new things, staying mentally challenged, and caring for your emotional well-being.
- Body: This pillar focuses on your physical health. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly will give you the energy to tackle anything!
- Spirit: This pillar is about determining what makes your life meaningful. Practicing meditation, prayer, and mindfulness can make you feel happier and improve your well-being.
I consider the other three pillars ‘external’ to you. These are the outcomes of your actions based on where you are in your ‘internal’ pillars.
External Pillars:
- Relationships: Friends, family, and loved ones are essential for our happiness. This pillar encourages nurturing relationships and building a solid support system.
- Finances: Feeling secure about your finances is a big stress reliever. This pillar covers things like managing your money wisely, planning for the future, and developing a positive money mindset (thinking about money in a way that empowers you).
- Impact: This pillar is about leaving the world a little better than you found it. It can be something big, like volunteering for a cause you care about, or something small, like helping a neighbor in need.
Ready to see examples of how Openness to Experience can enhance different areas of your life?
How Does Openness Affect Your Mind?
I am not a mental health professional. I am only sharing the information that I found.
Embracing Openness can lead to a more positive outlook on life and promote personal growth (Ekehammar & Akrami, 2007).
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Mind
- Enhanced Learning: Openness fosters curiosity and a desire to learn new things. This can lead you to explore different subjects, take classes, or read books outside your comfort zone, expanding your knowledge and intellectual capacity (Komarraju & Karau, 2005).
- Creative Problem-Solving: Openness encourages the exploration of unconventional ideas and approaches to problems. This can lead to more creative solutions and innovative thinking.
- Improved Memory: Trying new experiences creates new neural pathways in the brain, potentially improving memory and cognitive function.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Mind
Imagine waking up eager to start your day with curiosity and wonder. Your mind feels refreshed as you practice mindfulness, becoming more attuned to your thoughts and emotions. This practice unlocks clarity, helping you solve problems with ease and creativity.
Your new open mindset makes you more willing to explore new ideas and experiences. Instead of avoiding challenges, you embrace them, deepening your understanding and expanding your horizons. Reflective journaling becomes a cherished ritual, helping you process daily experiences and gain insight into your thoughts.
Through these practices, your mental resilience strengthens. You begin to see setbacks not as failures but as opportunities for growth. This shift in perspective allows you to approach life’s ups and downs with a calm mind, leading to a more fulfilling mental state. By embracing Openness, you create a healthier, more vibrant mind full of possibilities.
How Does Openness Affect Your Body?
I am not a medical doctor. I am only sharing the information that I found.
More Open people tend to explore various ways to stay healthy, which can enhance their energy levels and sense of wellness.
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Body
- Stress Reduction: Openness encourages trying new relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga, which can help manage stress and improve overall well-being.
- Physical Activity: Being open to new physical activities like dance classes, rock climbing, or hiking can lead to a more enjoyable and sustainable fitness routine.
- Dietary Exploration: Openness facilitates trying new cuisines and healthy recipes, promoting a more balanced and enjoyable diet.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Body
Imagine you’ve been curious about trying yoga but have yet to take the plunge. You decide to embrace Openness by signing up for a beginner’s class.
Initially, the poses seem challenging, but your willingness to try something new starts to pay off. Your flexibility improves, and you begin to feel a new sense of calm and balance in your life. The breathing techniques you learn help reduce your stress levels, leading to better sleep and overall wellness.
Before long, you’re not just practicing yoga but exploring other activities like hiking or joining a local running group. These new experiences contribute to your cardiovascular health and build muscular strength.
Opening up to these new activities improves your physical health, boosts your confidence, and expands your social circle.
How Does Openness Affect Your Spirit?
I am not a spiritual leader. I am only sharing the information that I found.
Being open to new ideas and experiences, like exploring different spiritual practices, can lead to deeper self-understanding and a stronger sense of purpose. Research shows that people with high Openness often have more profound spiritual lives and a more incredible feeling of meaning (Ekehammar & Akrami, 2007).
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Spirit
- Deeper Connection: Openness to different cultures, beliefs, and spiritual practices can lead to a broader perspective and a deeper connection to something greater than yourself.
- Personal Growth: Stepping outside your comfort zone allows for self-discovery and personal growth. Exploring new experiences can help you identify your passions and life purpose.
- Increased Gratitude: Openness allows you to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the world, fostering a sense of gratitude for life’s experiences.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Spirit
Imagine you’ve always been curious about meditation but have yet to try it because it seems too foreign or difficult. Your newfound commitment to Openness encourages you to attend a local meditation retreat.
Initially, the practice feels awkward, and your mind frequently wanders. However, you persist, keeping an open mind and embracing the new experience.
Over time, you notice subtle shifts in your well-being — a more profound sense of peace, increased mindfulness, and a connection to something greater than yourself. This journey through Openness leads you to discover a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger desire to contribute positively to the world.
Fueled by Openness, your spiritual journey becomes an integral part of your life, providing you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things.
How Does Openness Affect Your Relationships?
Increasing your level of Openness can significantly improve your relationships, making them deeper and more meaningful.
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Relationships
- Stronger Bonds: Openness to different viewpoints and experiences can increase empathy and understanding in relationships.
- More Diverse Friendships: Being open to connecting with people from different backgrounds can expand your social circle and enrich your life with new perspectives.
- Improved Communication: Openness encourages active listening and honest communication, strengthening relationships with loved ones.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Relationships
Imagine you’ve always been a little reserved when it comes to meeting new people. You tend to stick with your trusted circle of friends and avoid leaving your comfort zone.
But lately, you’ve been inspired by the idea of increasing your level of Openness. You start small by accepting an invitation to a colleague’s dinner party, even though you only know a few people there. At the party, you make it a point to converse with strangers, asking questions about their lives and sharing bits of your own experiences.
To your surprise, you find that people respond warmly to your vulnerability. Being open allows you to forge new connections and realize that your initial fears were unfounded.
Your willingness to embrace new social experiences also begins to ripple through your existing relationships. You find yourself listening to your friends and family more intently, appreciating their perspectives, and participating in activities you once shied away from.
This newfound Openness enhances the quality of your relationships, making them richer and more fulfilling. By allowing yourself to be vulnerable and curious, you strengthen your social network and experience personal growth and a deeper sense of belonging.
When you’re open, you’re more accepting of others’ perspectives and behaviors, which helps you connect and communicate better with friends and partners. This Openness can lead to stronger friendships and more empathetic romantic relationships, creating a supportive and understanding social circle (Ekehammar & Akrami, 2007).
How Does Openness Affect Your Finances?
Increasing your level of Openness helps you manage your career and finances better.
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Finances
- New Opportunities: Openness to learning new skills or exploring new career paths can lead to better job opportunities and increased earning potential.
- Financial Literacy: Being open to learning about budgeting, investing, and personal finance can help you manage your money more effectively and achieve financial goals.
- Creative Income Streams: Openness to new ideas can help you discover innovative ways to generate income and achieve financial security.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Finances
Imagine you’ve always been cautious with your career choices, sticking to safe, conventional paths to ensure a steady income. Intrigued by the idea of increasing your level of Openness, you decide to explore a more unconventional opportunity — perhaps starting a side hustle or seeking a role in an emerging industry. At first, the risks and uncertainties seem daunting, but your willingness to embrace new possibilities drives you forward.
You take online courses to improve your skills, network with industry professionals, and gradually build your expertise. Soon enough, your side hustle begins to gain traction, and you find yourself more financially secure and energized by the new challenges and achievements. This newfound Openness to career growth allows you to diversify your income streams, giving you more financial flexibility and resilience.
Being open to unconventional career paths and opportunities enhances your earning potential and reinforces your financial stability. Your willingness to explore and adapt leads to smarter financial decisions, greater job satisfaction, and a more prosperous life.
So, dare to be open — your future self will thank you.
People who are open to new ideas are often more creative and adaptable, which can lead to better job performance and higher earnings (Komarraju & Karau, 2005). Being open to experience lets you focus on opportunities rather than limitations, fostering an abundance mindset that can lead to financial success.
How Does Openness Affect Your Impact on the World?
Increasing your level of Openness can make a big difference in how you positively impact the world.
Ways Increasing Your Openness Can Positively Affect Your Impact
- Environmental Awareness: Openness to new ways of living can lead to adopting sustainable practices and reducing your ecological impact.
- Social Change: Being open to different perspectives allows you to understand social issues and participate in positive change.
- Helping Others: Openness can motivate you to volunteer your time or resources to causes you care about, making a positive impact on the world.
Example of How Openness Can Affect Your Impact
Imagine you’ve always been passionate about environmental conservation but have mostly limited your efforts to recycling at home and occasionally volunteering at local clean-ups. Intrigued by increasing your Openness, you explore this passion on a larger scale. You start by reading up on global environmental issues, connecting with online communities, and attending workshops on sustainable practices.
Encouraged by your newfound knowledge and connections, you take a bold step and join a local environmental advocacy group. Your willingness to embrace new experiences allows you to collaborate effectively, generating innovative ideas and solutions for community projects. Soon, you find yourself speaking at city council meetings, organizing large clean-up events, and lobbying for greener policies.
Being open to new information, experiences, and people expands your understanding of environmental issues and amplifies your impact. Your efforts inspire others, creating a ripple effect that leads to broader community engagement and significant environmental improvements.
Research shows that Openness to new ideas and experiences enhances your ability to connect with others and contribute positively to the world (Ekehammar & Akrami, 2007).
Wrapping Up
Increasing your level of Openness can bring tremendous changes to your life. I know because many of these examples were lifted from my own experiences as I’ve worked to increase my Openness to Experience.
You can build deeper, more meaningful relationships and improve your career and finances by stepping out of your comfort zone.
Being open helps you connect with others, explore new ideas, and make smarter choices. It can also amplify your positive impact on the world, from personal to community levels.
By embracing curiosity and vulnerability, you grow personally and inspire others.
Remember, every small step towards being more open can lead to amazing opportunities and a more fulfilling life.
Dare to be open and see where it takes you!
Articles in the Big Five Series
Openness to Experience
- How to Open Up to Growth: Nurturing Your Openness Personality Trait
- What is Openness? A Deep Dive into the Big Five Personality OCEAN
- How to Become More Open: Simple Steps to Start
- Openness Examples: How Openness Affects the Six Pillars of Your Life
Coming Soon: Conscientiousness
Coming Soon: Extraversion
Coming Soon: Agreeableness
Coming Soon: Neuroticism
References
- Ekehammar, B., & Akrami, N. (2007). Personality and Prejudice: From Big Five Personality Factors to Facets. Journal of Personality, 75(5), 899-926. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00460.x
- Komarraju, M., & Karau, S. J. (2005). The relationship between the Big Five personality traits and academic motivation. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(3), 557-567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.02.013
