Arthur Costa, author of Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind described Habits of Mind as the dispositions that are skilfully and mindfully employed by characteristically successful people when confronted with problems the solutions to which are not immediately apparent. These are the attributes human beings display when they behave intelligently.
When we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go we have begun our real journey, shared Wendell Berry. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.
The presence of the following 16 habits of mind makes one more mature, intellectually balanced, skilled at persisting and have the ability to take risks to a higher level:
Persisting
Efficacious people stick to a task until it is completed, shared Art Costa. Stick to what you are doing, Be focused in the task to completion.
Managing Impassivity
Be thoughtful and think before you act.
Goal-directed, self-imposed delay of gratification is perhaps the essence of emotional self-regulation: the ability to deny impulse in the service of a goal, whether it be building a business, solving an algebraic equation, or pursuing the Stanley Cup – Daniel Goleman.
Listening with empathy
As a beginning of understanding. You have to devote your mental energy to understand others.
Thinking Flexibility
Be able to consider options, change perspectives and generate alternatives.
Metacognition: Thinking about your thinking
Mind your thoughts and the effects they have on others
Striving for accuracy
Not only must you do your best, but seek for ways to improve the results.
Questioning and solving problems
A distinguishing characteristic of humans is the ability to find problem to solve. You can improve this by adopting a questioning and inquisitive mindset.
Applying past knowledge to new situations
Transferring knowledge from past experiences to new and perplexing problem.
Communicating with Clarity
Always strive for accuracy in your communication, and avoid things like exaggeration and distortions.
Gather data through all sense
Observe and explore the world around you via all the sense; taste, hearing and sight.
Creating, Imagining, Innovating.
Generate original and new idea.
Responding with Wonderment
Enjoy your learning and have fun figuring it out.
Taking responsible risk
Be ready and happy to go beyond established limit.
Finding humour
You can increase your brain power three to fivefold simply by laughing and having fun before working on a problem, shared Doug Hall.
Be humorous
Thinking Interdependently
Develop team work skills, as you draw energy from others.
Remaining open to continuous learning
Read also: An Ancient Way to Heal the Mind
Take learning till the end. With humility, admit things you don’t know.
