Revolution of the Mind Session Outline: Objective:To get people thinking and challenging themselves to be more open minded

and successful Agenda: 1 hour total, small groups (5-7 people each), handouts to each person. Intro.: 5 min-Facilitators act out "Nan-in" story below before the entire plenary (with narrator). Plenary: 5 min-Go over objective of session and delegates role in it 5 min-Distribute handouts to delegates & divide into small groups Group: 30 min-Work through #1-4 in a group and use questions to help guide group discussion Plenary: 15 min-Bring groups back together. Ask what (if anything) was learned from the session. Ask if they can apply these ideas when interacting with other cultures, with LCs, NCs, AI, project, programmes, with other people's ideas & with themselves. Note: This session outline is provided to delegates so that they can repeat the session if they want back in their own countries

Group Exercises: 1. Read over the story below. Are you a "full cup" of your own opinions & speculations, that nothing more can go in? "Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1968-1912) received a university professor who came in to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. 'It is over full. No more will go in!' 'Like this cup.' Nan-in said, 'you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?'" From The Learner Within, IBM 2. Read over "50 Excuses of a Closed Mind". (from the "Learner Within") Do you find yourself using one or more of these excuses? When do you use them? What are some "Sayings of an open mind" that you could use to help shape new ideas and make them even better, rather than "kill them". 3. Read over "50 Successful Thoughts". (Author unknown) Do some of these attitudes and actions apply to you? Which of these ideas do you see as most helpful in helping you be successful? 4. To become more open minded and allow greater capacity for learning, there are two main skills needed: reflection and inquiry. & Reflection is the deliberate exposure and surfacing of our thinking processes to become more aware of how we form our mental models / paradigms / perceptions. & Inquiry is the holding of conversations where we openly share views and develop knowledge about each other's assumptions. Read over the "Ladder of Inference" concept (from The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook).

 What instances can you think of that you "climbed the ladder" of inference? The examples below are real situation common in AIESEC, how might you address them when
you see them happening? What are alternative explanations from the ones below? Situation: AI judged by delegates I will just ignore what AI is doing and do my own things AI's activities are not relevant to me AI is out of touch with what is happening at LCs & NCs AI is not providing what I need at conferences AI refuses to change the conference agenda for me I'm not getting what I want from this conference The conference agenda is presented to the delegates Delegates judged by AI We must have more sessions on AIESEC philosophy They don't understand AIESEC's purpose All the delegates want to do is drink, party and sleep They must be at the conference for something else Coming late means they don't care about the session AI notices some delegates are coming late to sessions Sessions are late getting started Person judging other culture I will never loan anything to someone from ___ country People from ___ country are untrustworthy This person cannot be trusted This person is not being open & honest with me Shifty eyes mean the person is hiding something One person doesn't look in the other's eyes when talking Two people from a different cultures meet

What other situations of "climbing the ladder" do you notice in AIESEC or beyond? How are some strategies to help you be "climb" or get to the "right" conclusions in different
situations? How can you ensure you get to the "right" conclusion with other people you interact with at this conference?

Fifty Excuses of a Closed Mind

1. We tried that before. 2. Our situation is different. 3. It costs too much. 4. That's not our responsibility. 5. That's not my job. 6. It's too radical a change. 7. We don't have the time. 8. We will need too much help. 9. Let's discuss it in the morning. 10.Let's test it thoroughly. 11.It's not practical or realistic. 12.___ will never accept it. 13.We've never done that before. 14.It's outside our organizations policy. 15.We don't have the authority. 16.That's not the main problem 17.Let's get back to reality 18.It works now, why change? 19.Is this your own idea? 20.Could you put it in writing? 21.You're right, but... 22.You're ahead of your time 23.For you, yes, for me, no. 24.We're not ready for that. 25.It isn't in the budget. 26.Can't teach an old dog new tricks. 27.Good idea but impractical. 28.Send me a memo about this. 29.Leave it with me. 30.Has anyone else tried it? 31.I don't see the connection. 32.What you're really saying is... 33.If anyone could do it, you could, but... 34.You know as well as I do that... 35.That's confidential at the moment. 36.That's not the way we do things 37.When you've been here as long as I... 38.You know I'd help if I could. 39.Let me give you some advice. 40.I take it you want me to be honest... 41.We're too busy at the moment 42.Let's give it more thought. 43.Just think of all the paperwork 44.It is being looked at already... 45.Our organization is different 46.Let's form a committee or task force. 47.We don't have the people for that. 48.Our organization is too small. 49.Let's learn more before we start. 50.We've always done it this way.
5. Keep in contact with the best, meet people engaged in the best, experience the best. 6. Be your own boss. Do what you love. 7. Duplicate your efforts and receive a percentage on other people's productivity.

Fifty Successful Thoughts

1. Live your ideal life ... now & every day. 2. Do things that are extraordinary and nearly impossible. 3. Believe that: If it's to be, it's up to me. 4. Think BIG. Dream lofty dreams. Plan. Act.

8. Increase your smiles daily ... whether you work, play, or sleep. 9. Do what you do so well that people enthusiastically refer others to you. 10. Inspire others by your example. 11. Build your reputation for honesty, integrity, quality, and superb service. 12. Aim for excellence in your field. 13. Support others in achieving their goals. 14. Develop friendships world-wide. 15. Take total responsibility for your past, present, and future experiences. 16. Strive to accomplish more with less time, money, and energy. 17. Do and say things that benefit all concerned. 18. Be open to new ideas, relationships, and experiences. 19. Realize that all events happen for the best. 20. Take calculated risks. 21. Read books by and about exciting people. 22. Simplify your life; have more fun per hour. 23. Know that you are equal to everyone and everyone is equal to you. 24. Accept people the way they are and the way they are not. 25. Forgive and love. 26. Do what you feel is right, no matter what people think of you. 27. Give something away daily ... a postcard, letter, gift, smile, hug, compliment

28. Collect pictures of what you want to be, do, and have in life. 29. Do not criticize, condemn or complain. 30. Act as if it were impossible to fail. 31. Value quality above quantity. 32. Do things you will never regret. 33. Take a weekend vacation (often). 34. Dress to look and feel great! 35. Collect quotes that motivate you. 36. Speak and write only positive words. 37. Be curious...constantly explore and challenge the world, ideas, & life 38. Learn something new every day. 39. Exercise at least 20 minutes daily to achieve and maintain your ideal body. 40. Eat mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains. 41. Minimize alcohol, tobacco, sugar, salt, white flour, coffee, pork, beef, unnatural foods. 42. Avoid saying: can't, hard, difficult. Say: I can, it's easy, it's simple. 43. Keep your home, desk, closets, car ... clean, neat and organized. 44. Use a simple time management system. 45. Listen to music which motivates you. 46. Spend more time with nature. 47. Act as if all your goals are already accomplished. 48. Explain your vision for the future in the present tense. 49. Consistently escalate your goals. 50. Be true to your values.