< The Inner Journey >

Your Entangled Self

Many of us go through life with a closed mindset, a perspective constrained by unexamined habits, fixed beliefs, and fear of the unknown. My goal for Entangled: Evolution is to discover strategies to help us recognize and remove these limitations. By grounding ourselves in the research-backed insights of psychology and neuroscience, we can begin to understand our internal mechanics, allowing us to shed the limitations of the “fixed self” and step into a more intentional way of being that will open us up to exciting new opportunities in a changing world.

This internal evolution serves as the essential bridge from a closed mindset to an open mindset. Before we can appreciate the vast complexities of the world around us, we must first master the resilience and clarity of the world within. With open minds and open hearts, together we can achieve a global mindset. By understanding and employing proven strategies for habit formation, cognitive growth, and emotional intelligence, we can embrace a global perspective and honor our shared humanity.

< Embracing New Perspectives >

Growing a Global Mindset

These columns represent aspects of three types of characters: closed-minded, open-minded, and globally-minded. As we discover more about ourselves and the world around us, we naturally move from the column on the left through to the column on the right, learning and growing as we progress.

Brian Crawford - progression from a closed mindset to an open mindset

You’re Not Closed-Minded!

By identifying these progressions, my goal is not to call you or anyone else a closed-minded person. When it comes to moving toward global-mindedness, we don’t “start at the beginning” and “finish at the end”. As human beings, we are an amalgamation of our current experiences and beliefs which are unique to ourselves. Reaching a stage of global-mindedness is an ideal; there will not be a point in which you have “perfected” your mindset.

Continuous Improvement

Growing and maintaining a global mindset is something you can work on throughout your life. The good news is, traveling, learning, and experiencing different people and places is fun and rewarding. It is worth the effort.

< The Path to Experiencing Life Abroad >

Stages of Personal Development

Exploring the Four Stages

These are the stages of personal development that I have come up with to help myself and others grow as a globally-minded person. The culmination of these stages is living and working abroad, either by yourself or with your family.

It is not necessary to start at the very beginning in order to achieve this goal; rather, it is recommended you work on your own mindset while also learning about other people and places and studying foreign languages. In this way you may holistically grow into the sort of person who chooses to take the leap to move abroad and broaden your own horizons and those of your family.

Embracing the Role of a Beginner

I recommend leaving your preconceptions behind and embracing the role of a humble beginner as you start this journey. In this way you will discover new aspects of yourself to improve and explore, and truly open your mind to new experiences and ways of life.

 

A HUMBLE BEGINNER

The first step to starting along a path toward global-mindedness is to accept humility and start your journey as a beginner. This is the point where you make the decision to open your mind to learning more about yourself and the world around you. Even if you aren’t a beginner, it is wise to think of yourself as one to allow yourself to take an unbiased look at yourself to find new or unrealized opportunities to grow as a person.

The phases at this stage of your development are internally-focused; you must first open your mind to understanding yourself in order to be better equipped to start to understand others.

Internal Focus

Pillars of Self Development

  1. Habit Formation & Daily Routines
  2. Mindset & Positive Thinking
  3. Motivation & Discipline
  4. Financial Mindset & Wealth Building
  5. Productivity & Focus
  6. Emotional Intelligence & Inner Healing
  7. Confidence & Self-Esteem
  8. Mental Health & Stress Recovery
  9. Spiritual Growth & Purpose
  10. Romantic Relationships & Emotional Intelligence
  11. Physical Health & Fitness

AN OPEN-MINDED PERSON

As you work on your personal development according to the Pillars of Self Development, you start to become a more accepting and open-minded individual. It is from this mindset that you may truly begin to understand and appreciate people of different cultures and traditions.

Here are the various subject areas that you may study to better understand different people and places, and to explore the various cultures, traditions, and languages around the world.

External Focus

Areas of Understanding

  1. Language Learning & Tips
  2. Cultural Comparisons
  3. History of Countries & Cultures
  4. Geography Explained
  5. Virtual Travel Guides
  6. Food & Culinary History
  7. Cross-Cultural Communication
  8. Study Abroad & International Education
  9. Mini-Documentaries
  10. Religion & Beliefs Around the World
  11. Cultural Traditions & Rituals
  12. Cultural Clothing & Style
  13. Music & Dance Around the World
  14. Country Profiles & Fun Facts
  15. Multilingualism & Identity
  16. Global Money, Economy, & Jobs
  17. Etiquette & Manners by Culture
  18. Global Challenges & Solutions
  19. Immigration, Visas, & Moving Abroad
  20. Worldview & Cultural Intelligence

A GLOBALLY-MINDED PERSON

As you reach a state of global-mindedness, your curiosity will continue to grow, and you will likely start to dream about living and working abroad, perhaps with your family. This is when you will target a specific area or areas in which to live and work out the feasibility and logistics of your choices.

When this stage has been completed, you will be starting a new life in a foreign country! 

Immersion Focus

The Road to Living Abroad

  1. Visa, Residency & Legal Requirements
  2. Healthcare System & Insurance
  3. Schooling & Childcare
  4. Housing & Neighborhood Selection
  5. Banking, Currency & Financial Planning
  6. Language & Communication
  7. Culture, Customs & Integration
  8. Transportation & Daily Logistics
  9. Safety, Emergency Services & Support
  10. Mental Health, Culture Shock & Emotional Resilience

A GLOBAL EXPLORER

Once you have moved abroad, you have become an expat. This is when you can truly start to immerse yourself in another place, forming relationships with people of a different culture, and giving yourself and your family your best chances of experiencing a foreign culture and learning a new language.

Being global minded is an ideal, not a destination. There will always be something new to learn about yourself and other people, and there is always room to grow. Many global explorers live in a variety of different countries during their years as an expat. Becoming an expat is simply another step in your never-ending journey of lifelong learning. 

Family Focus

The Expat Lifestyle

  1. Travel Vlogs
  2. Expat Life/Living Abroad
  3. Cultural Food Exploration
  4. Language Learning
  5. Digital Nomad Lifestyle
  6. Cultural Comparison/Culture Shock
  7. Local Festivities & Traditions
  8. Travel Tips & Hacks
  9. Cultural Education & History
  10. Cross-Cultural Relationships