#UnlikeMinded challenge

Hello! We all ripe benefits from focus, specialization and a community of similars. I bring an invitation to expand from that.

Over and over I see on some networking apps like Shapr several profiles of people stating that they want to find like-minded people and I have some thoughts about this. I will share my thoughts and I'd like to know yours.

I believe our mindset is somewhat a combination of the people with whom we are already surrounded with. Therefore, looking for more people like us will only reinforce the state of mind in which we already operate. Still, I don't think that's bad or poor. Sometimes we really need some affirmation or have a goal of forming a team with people who do the same things - and that's fine. But if you just say "like-minded" without describing your mind, then how will those people find you and how will you find them? Why not specify what like-minded would be? You could say "looking for more experienced people in the field of such and such" or "people who have switched careers and are wondering about going back to college". Or maybe "I really love making crochet while commuting between downtown Toronto and Vaughan, will you join me".

Now, the challenge I suggest goes in a different direction. Most of all, let's remember: the web makes it easier for us to be aware of all the diversity in the world, see how people live in different places, understand other cultures, practices, jobs, hobbies. This is a greater gift that will allow a person to start enriching their imagination and intelectual references. The brain gets energized with new types of information, new patterns of thought, new connections of ideas, new understandings.

Opening the web is like opening your mind.

I encourage you, myself and others to exercise this. For example, we can enter groups where other types of professionals discuss their careers, understand their world view. We can take classes in topics that we are not familiar with, regardless of ever working with that.

These days, I watched a documentary portraying farmers who are also energy technology researchers. Now, I don't live in the country side, I am not a farmer or a researcher of energy technology, I am not prospecting anything related to that. This is exactly why I thought the opportunity was right for me to have a glimpse. I now feel enriched even thou I have not directly interacted with any of those farmers. Still, that was an #unlikeminded moment. I also like to watch a Youtube channel called Asian Boss where they interview several people in different countries about a variety of topics. Yes, this is all passive content to watch, but of course you can, as I have mentioned before, join groups and communities and interact, ask questions, make comments, maybe meet people in town - keeping safe measures.

In time: I still go after things I know and like. I just remember that I have discovery, novelty and surprise in that list! Now tell us, what do you think about using the web and the physical distancing imposed by the pandemics towards finding #unlikeminded people? What have you been surprised by recently?