Why listen to this podcast?
Have you ever thought:
How can they be so ignorant?
How can someone support that? Why do they do that to themselves? How can they not understand me?
Maybe you get frustrated at the things others do. What they say. The beliefs they hold. Maybe you find yourself judging the actions and opinions of others.
If you’re like most people, you do the same thing. Day in and day out. Nothing in your world disconfirms your reality based on your experiences.
Most people you interact with hold the same opinions and beliefs as you. Operate under the same assumptions.
You don’t know
what you don’t know.
“Our perception of the world is our worldview.”
-Naval Ravikant
A friend once told me his story. He then said,
“If I feel myself being judgemental that usually signals to me that I don't understand someone or something well enough. So I consciously try to resolve that whether internally by adjusting my paradigm or learning more.” - Christian Echevarria
His story shifted a paradigm in my world. Changed my perspective.
I grew up in a small town with 4,500 people in Canada. Very conservative, primarily caucasian. Most people think the same. Hold the same beliefs. Had the same experiences.
I moved to Miami to attend Florida International University. The demographics of FIU is 64.2% Hispanic, 12.6% Black, 10.2% White, and 2.5% other.
During this time I’ve had many meaningful conversations. People who’s realities are different than my own reality. Disconfirmed my worldview, tested my assumptions.
So I started seeking out the gaps my knowledge…. Why do people act the way they do? These conversations gave me insights into human behaviour. Helped generate empathy.
No judgement. Just understanding.
Think back to your last argument. You probably thought they weren’t listening. They did not understand. They are ignorant.
Well, they probably thought the same about you.
You are both solving the wrong problem - and that is to be understood.
Photos taken from @visualizevalue
Most problems come from a lack of understanding. Both parties have different assumptions. Different definitions. Different realities.
Empathy means understanding. Empathy does not mean agreement.
Why is empathy so powerful?
Think Better.
Identify the gaps in you own understanding. Solve more problems. Design your own life.
Be Successful.
The most successful people understand others. Empathize with their counterparts.
Live Happier.
It’s not about you. Empathy helps you think of others. Love more. Be grateful.
That’s why I started “Humans of the World”. To give others access to understanding.
Humans of the World
Learning through the experiences of others. Diving into the psyche of how experiences shape behaviours, form world views, create assumptions.
From Episode 7 - Yenser Del Nogal, Venezuelan Ghetto
Everyone wants to Think Better. Be Successful. Live Happier.
No one wants to be ignorant.
Become the best version of you.
“The outer world is a reflection of the inner world. Other people’s perception of you is a reflection of them; your response to them is an awareness of you.”
— Roy T. Bennett