Why “Keep An Open Mind” Is Disastrous Advice for Entrepreneurs

Why “keep an open mind” is disastrous advice for entrepreneurs:

Everyone has always told me that I should “keep an open mind”.

They usually tell me that to guilt me into believing their untested theories about business.

“Keep an open mind” is one of those super-replicating beliefs that sounds so right that everyone passes it on without thinking (*cough* 97% of scientists agree that… *cough*).

For a long time I believe it. After all, who knows what’s really right? Can anything really be known? Beyond good and evil, right? Wrong.

The reality is, some things produce results, and some things don’t. It doesn’t matter how good someone’s intentions are, or how strong their conviction is…

When you’re in business, the only things that get results are the things that get results.

If you’re not in business for results, fine. If you’re in business for art, or spiritual enlightenment, or politics, fine. Go ahead and “keep an open mind”.

But if you want results, keep your mind closed and guarded like Fort Knox. Do not let the theory junkies invade your most precious asset.

I never recommend anything either I or my students have used to get results. Even this concept, a “closed mind”, I only recommend because it’s gotten me results.

So, the next time someone says “I just had this amazing idea! What if you do this and then that? Wouldn’t that be amaaaaazing???”…

…ask “What results did you get from this?”

If they can’t tell you specific metrics, seal your mind tight like an oyster until they’ve piped down.

We live in a guristic world overrun by quacks and theory-junkies. Take good care of your mind!

– Aleksander Vitkin