Thomas Kuhn defined a paradigm shift as a fundamental change in the basic scientific concepts and understanding of the world. Scientific progression, he said, alternated between everyday science building upon current knowledge, and the paradigm shifts that opened up new approaches to understanding what would never have considered valid before.
In a personal sense, a paradigm shift can change your own fundamental beliefs. These make your theoretical framework for life, and a paradigm shift can open up possibilities, that you might have never considered before, and change your outlook on life.
With a curious and open mind, both scientific and personal paradigm shifts are more likely.
Paradigm Shifts