Open Mind Archives - Blocks of Life

May 9, 2026April 29, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Navigating the Rocky Road to Confidence

There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, closed-mindedness, and dogmatism. Confidence is generally considered to be a positive attribute, but it’s a slippery slope toward more closed-minded attributes. Confidence is an important attribute, but you can’t just turn it on; it has to be developed over time through experience. Some seem to have confidence from the moment they can walk and talk, but even those with natural confidence have to test that confidence through their experiences and interactions. The key is to learn what you’re capable of, what your strengths are, and how to be consistent in your behavior.

March 28, 2026March 23, 2026 by Pete Wiley

The Important Stuff—Focusing on What Matters

Life gets hectic. It’s easy to focus on the details and minutiae of your daily life and neglect the truly important aspects. People make to-do lists and schedules, and they have goals and ambitions. They plan their days around these elements and consider themselves unavailable for other possibilities. On the surface, this is fine; it’s good to be organized and manage your time well. On the other hand, it’s also possible to be too rigid. If something unrelated to your work or goals comes up, it’s easy not to give it a second thought and conclude that you have no available time.

January 31, 2026January 20, 2026 by Pete Wiley

According to Plan—Living the Life you Envision

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. In my experience, they start strong but fizzle out quickly. I’m more of a fan of regular and consistent attention to habits and lifestyle, to goals and vision. Resolutions are popular because people tend to slip off their desired habits during the holidays, and resolutions help them get back on track. But it’s obviously better not to fall off the wagon in the first place. Easier said than done, I know. Treating yourself during special occasions is healthy. So where is the sweet spot? Where does a special treat start, and falling off the wagon begin?

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December 20, 2025November 24, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Fluid Identity—The Selves We Become

Your life can take twists and turns, and no two days are the same. But at the end of the day, you are still just you, right? Yes and no. Each of us has personas we adopt depending on the context. In a professional setting, you might be more serious and no-nonsense. With your kids, you might adopt a supportive, empathetic personality. When you’re with people you love, you become more attentive and generous. But ultimately, deep down, there’s the version of you in each of these personas—and getting to know that core self is a key to living a genuine life.

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December 6, 2025November 6, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Being Open-Minded and True to Yourself

Being open-minded can be difficult, especially when the ideas or opinions you hear seem to go against your values or morals. Someone says something that, on its surface, sounds selfish, callous, or shortsighted, and your natural reaction is to disagree vehemently. But part of being open-minded is knowing the whole story. What is the backdrop for what you’re hearing? People may be misinformed or misguided. Many people feel disenfranchised and are desperate to find an ideology or a movement that resonates with them. You may vehemently disagree with what someone believes or says, but it’s helpful to dig deeper and find the circumstances that have led to their perspective.

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