I say this over and over again, "It's challenging to change one's mind." However, I have a tactic you can use to make it less.

Think about the last time someone gave you a piece of advice. Go a step further, think about the time when the insight given you immediately dismissed in your head. How did you respond? Did you consider the opinion? With what level of skepticism?

Now, imagine yourself in that situation again. But this time, explain to yourself why the other person is right. Almost as if you're saying, "Of course, Bob is right. Here's what Bob is saying, and here's why his logic makes sense, and I can see how it leads to Bob's outcome." Will you become a Bob convert? No. However, you will be more likely to see Bob and his point of view a bit better.

You can put your bias in check by projecting yourself into those trying to help you. Thinking about your helpers, tell yourself their story, from their perspective, and using their intended outcome.

You can even use this tactic to help others. Ask them to explain, out loud, why your point is valid as if they were you.

We can meet in the middle when we start telling ourselves the story others are trying to share with us.

Nowadays, I think we could all benefit from meeting in the middle just a bit more.