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Friday, November 14, 2008

How to cure being a "Know-It-All"

We learn things every day, and most of the time the things we learn are accurate. Unfortunately, sometimes they are not, and we don't even know it. Many times we don't even have a lingering doubt at all in our minds. However, when we talk with other people, this confidence can be very abrasive, especially when they don't agree. If you haven't experienced this, consider yourself very lucky. If you have, here are some ideas to help. Think long and hard about the saying, "People don't care what you know until they know how much you care." Apply the truth that "Acceptance precedes change" to other people's ideas and perspectives. Until they feel understood and accepted, they're very unlikely to change their perspective. When you're 100% convinced of something and then someone disagrees, you should immediately lower your confidence level to 70%. Someone disagreeing significantly decreases the likelihood of it being true. It's almost a guarantee that you have something to learn from that person, and understanding their perspective will probably help you get closer to the truth.    -11/14/2008

Update on 8/9/2020:
Other helpful ways:
  • Center your life on Christ and measure yourself by that, which can eliminate all other fears, upon which all systems of defense can be eliminated including the need to be right.
    • Consider the discourse "Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson.
    • Consider "The Divine Center" by Stephen R. Covey.
  • Prioritize being kind over being right.
  • Humbly take this plea to the Lord.  Ether 12:27
  • Deepen how much you care about others and deepen your connection with them to reduce the feeling of being alone for those involved (including yourself).
  • Strive to be genuine with yourself, with others, and about others.

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