Habits of Mind

Things I Do by Lauren Lindsey
One who is intelligent demonstrates habits proving their intelligence. These habits are called Habits of Mind and are shown through intelligent behavior. In the article Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind 16 habits are described. Of these 16 habits there are three that I strongly follow. These three habits are Listening with Understanding and Empathy, Thinking Flexibly and Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations.
Listening with Understanding and Empathy is very important for anybody. The reason I believe this is such an important habit is because to learn or comprehend is nearly impossible without listening. Being able to listen is not easy especially listening with empathy. When something is bothering one of my friends I’m always the first person they come to. I never judge and try to put myself in that person’s shoes. Another thing that I think is important is not to compare people’s situations because even though it may seem small to me it could really hurt that person. Listening also helps build trust which is my number one value. Listening with understanding and empathy helps other people while helping expand my knowledge.
The second habit that I show is Thinking Flexibly. This habit is related to Listening with Understanding and Empathy. When one thinks flexibly they’re able to see what the majority may not see. I see this quality in myself because sometimes when I’m solving a problem I might find the same answer as others but I found it in a different way or I may ask a question that will make everyone else wonder. The relation between these two habits is to understand in way most can’t. I think flexibly because I’m always open for new ideas and experiences. This is shown in my intelligence because I’m curious about different cultures, religions and histories, where a lot of people really aren’t that interest because that’s not what they are. Being closed minded is ignorance so I try my hardest to think flexibly.
The last and most important habit to me is Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations. This habit is so important because it can branch into so many different areas, for example the past could be yesterday, last year or hundreds of years before I was born. New situations could be in my life personally, as an African American or a U.S citizen. If there were more people who applied their past to their present it would not be as many homicides, wars or closed minded people. I refuse to dwell on one bad situation in my life when there have been so many good times to be happy for. Whatever mistakes I’ve made it’s over now all I have to do is learn from it. This is a very important habit that I believe everyone should try to follow.
These are the habits that prove my intelligence. I will try to expand my intelligence using other habits but as of right now the three that can be examined through my intelligent behavior are Listening with Understanding and Empathy, Thinking Flexibly and Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations. These habits will help me further my intelligence.