Do you feel stuck? Wonder why the same patterns keep happening and you are uncomfortable in your own skin?
Feeling fearful to step outside your door because of all the bad things happening in the world?
Human cognition is a complex interplay of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. We are not immune to patterns of flawed thinking and their implications. These cognitive biases and errors lead us astray, impairing our decision-making and hindering our understanding of the world. Limiting our scope of compassion. Thinking it doesn’t apply to our situation.
A prevalent pattern of flawed thinking is confirmation bias. This cognitive error occurs when individuals seek out information that confirms their preexisting beliefs while ignoring or discounting evidence contradicting them. Confirmation bias leads to polarization and hinders open-mindedness, preventing us from considering the full spectrum of ideas.
With so much information at our fingertips immediately, folks get caught up in all kinds of foolish ideas. This closes down any avenues of using your own creativity to provide freedom for your brain and your life.
Another common pattern is the availability heuristic, wherein people rely on readily available information when making decisions, often leading to erroneous conclusions. This heuristic is especially problematic in the age of the internet, where sensationalist news stories and viral content can distort our perceptions of reality. For instance, if a person frequently hears about shark attacks in the news, they may overestimate the risk of being attacked by a shark while swimming in the ocean, even though such incidents are statistically rare.
Your patterns of flawed thinking are pervasive in human cognition. Understanding these cognitive biases is crucial for making informed decisions and improving our critical thinking skills. By recognizing and mitigating these patterns, we become more rational and open-minded individuals, better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Overcoming these cognitive pitfalls is a lifelong journey towards better decision-making and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Build your sustainable foundation of calm by being aware of how easily we can be fooled into making choices and not shifting our beliefs.Be open to building your tool kit of calm for a sustainable future of peace and contentment despite what happens in the world.