Openness

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12. OPENNESS

What is openness?

Openness, how open-minded a person is, is one of five personality traits outlined in the “Big Five” personality theory. People with a high level of openness enjoy trying new things. They are imaginative, curious, and open-minded. Individuals who are low in openness to experiences would rather not try new things. They are close-minded, literal, and enjoy routines.

High openness means being creative and open to new ideas. Individuals with a high level of openness often have a general appreciation for unusual ideas and art. They are usually imaginative, rather than practical. Being creative, open to new and different ideas, and in touch with one’s feelings are all characteristics of high-openness people. Individuals who don’t possess this quality are generally more closed-off, resistant to change, and analytical. Openness traits include:

Imagination Intellect

Artistic interests Liberalism

Emotionality Careers grounded in openness

Boldness Maintaining a high level of openness is important in jobs that require creative thinking and a flexible attitude. Jobs such as advertising, research, and other artistic occupations all benefit from this trait.

Why is openness important?

Being open is associated with creativity, curiosity, and a hunger for knowledge and learning. People who possess this trait are also divergent and abstract thinkers who can come up with many novel solutions for any given problem. Openness is how open-minded, imaginative, creative, and insightful a person is or can be. More open-minded people tend to prefer variety, seek out new experiences, and are curious and perceptive to their environment. Less open-minded people tend to avoid change, dislike disruption, and focus on a few specific interests.

Openness is correlated with higher measures of well-being, including overall happiness. People rich in this trait feel more positive and enjoy warm and loving relationships with the people around them. Research has never found any noteworthy correlation between openness and anxiety or other mood disorders. People high in openness are willing to try new things, such as eating an exotic dish or travelling to a strange land. They are inquisitive and seek out knowledge. People who are more open may be less practical and less analytical than others; instead, they rely on their inventiveness and are more receptive to change.

Openness reflects a tendency to pursue and enjoy unfamiliar things. Therefore, it makes sense that this trait shares a positive correlation with innovative thinking: those particularly open to experiences have more active imaginations and a greater appreciation for aesthetics and beauty. Receptivity to change and new experiences and an ability to “think outside the box” are a few ways to understand this personality trait. Think of your workplace or work environments where openness to experience is essential for sustained growth.

How can you develop openness?

Though personality traits tend to remain stable throughout one’s lifespan—making it difficult to simply “become” more extroverted or conscientious, for example—our behaviors become malleable with some focus and persistence. Even if you naturally possess more conservative, rigid thinking patterns, you can develop and maintain specific openness-to-experience habits that can maximise your potential for creative growth.

Use your imagination Even if this is something that does not come spontaneously to you, consider devoting 10 to 20 minutes a day to let your imagination to run wild. This might take shape as playing fantasy-based games, brainstorming ideas for short stories, or employing a “no-filters approach” when thinking about future possibilities.

Expose yourself to other artists’ work One characteristic of those who score high on the openness-to-experience measure is their involvement in aesthetically triggering experiences and an appreciation for artistic events. Accepting invitations to art galleries and plays or even going for a nature walk may stimulate your perceptions and increase your aesthetic sensitivity.

Switch up your routine While it may feel comfortable to follow a predictable schedule, commute, diet, and after-work routine, this can limit your sense of receptiveness to new experiences. In order to benefit from the creativity correlated with this personality trait, you may want to incorporate an adventurous spirit in your day-to-day life. Adding variety to daily choices may help bring out the openness-to-experience side of your personality.

Engage your intellect and cognitions A thirst for knowledge and interest in new information may come more naturally to some than others. However, making a conscious effort to read up on new ideas, pay attention to sensory experiences, learn a new language, and pick up new skills can stimulate the active process of openness to new experiences.