"إحدى المبادئ الفلسفية المفضلة لدي هي أن الناس سوف يتفقون معك فقط إذا كانوا بالفعل يتفقون معك. أنت لا تغير عقول الناس."

This quote is all about the idea that people are generally set in their ways. They tend to agree with you when their beliefs already align with yours. Changing someone’s mind is rare. Think about it: when was the last time you had a heated debate, and by the end, the other person completely shifted their viewpoint? Probably almost never.

Historically, this concept resonates deeply with the human condition. We've always been a stubborn lot, sticking to our guns and holding tight to our beliefs. It's why political debates often go in circles and why family arguments around the dinner table can get so heated. This idea isn’t new; it's been around for as long as people have discussed and disagreed on things.

Let me give you a real-life example to bring this home. Think about a time you were absolutely certain about something—say, a favorite movie. You loved it, but your friend hated it. You both had your reasons. You argued, exchanged viewpoints, even pointed out scenes to support your opinions. And yet, by the end of the night, neither of you had budged an inch. You still believed it was the best movie ever, and your friend still thought it was terrible. That’s because your initial beliefs were so strong that no amount of discussion could shake them.

So, how can you apply this piece of wisdom in your life? First off, don’t waste your energy trying to convert people. It’s exhausting and often unproductive. Instead, focus on finding common ground. If you’re trying to persuade someone, start with areas where you already agree. Build from there. Sometimes, it’s more about planting a seed than trying to uproot a tree.

Imagine you’re at work, and you’ve got this brilliant new idea. You pitch it to your team, but they’re skeptical. Instead of trying to bulldoze through their doubts, find small points they can agree on. Maybe they like one aspect of your idea, even if they’re not sold on the whole thing. Highlight that. Nurture it. Over time, they might come around—not because you forced them, but because they found their way there.

Here’s a little story to illustrate this. Picture a small town with two neighboring families: the Smiths and the Johnsons. The Smiths are die-hard fans of traditional farming. The Johnsons, on the other hand, are all about modern, tech-driven agriculture. They’ve argued about this for years. One day, a big storm hits, and both farms are damaged. The Smiths want to rebuild the old-fashioned way, but they’re struggling. The Johnsons offer some tech solutions, but the Smiths aren’t buying it. However, when the Johnsons show how one particular tool can save the Smith’s prized apple tree, the Smiths reluctantly agree to try it out. They see the benefit firsthand, and slowly, they become more open to other tech solutions—not because the Johnsons forced them, but because they found a common ground.

So, next time you find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to change someone’s mind, remember this: don’t focus on the disagreement. Find the agreement, no matter how small, and build from there.

And who knows? You might just make some progress—one step at a time.