Closing your mind puts a ceiling on your potential
Confirmation bias is one of the biggest limitations that holds people back. I was plagued by confirmation bias at the start of my fitness journey and didn’t stop sipping the syrup until some very knowledgeable, confident professors challenged me to open my mind.
What is confirmation bias? I’ll quote an Instagram post from one of the very intelligent teachers I learned from, Dr. Rachelle Acitelli Reed (@the.exercise.doc),
“Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions, rather than remaining objective while searching or interpreting.”
This means you seek information that confirms your preexisting beliefs and disregard information that challenges your current views. The result of such means you will likely always do the same things because the new information you learn fits in with your current beliefs.
A mind is like a parachute – it only works if it is open, Thomas Dewar.
In order for you to change, grow, and progress, your preexisting beliefs have to be challenged. You need to be open to any and all things and decide what is the best approach to move forward. You’ll always find the best answer when you consider what’s best scientifically, logically, and practically rather than just sticking with the status quo. Because your lifestyle changes and new discoveries are constant, expect to change your current views and behaviors over time.
The only way you can make the best decisions is by considering all of the possibilities rather than just what you’re used to and what you currently believe. You don’t know what you don’t know. This means there is so much information out there that can help you positively change and wants to help you positively change, but you have to allow it. The only way to do this is by seeking information that supports and opposes your current dispositions, then weighing what’s best for you. Again, consider the scientific reasoning, the logic, and your personal circumstances when choosing the best option.
Generally, your views won’t do a complete 180° shift or even sway all that much. However, bringing in new concepts and blending them with your current foundation is the best way to always adapt to the forever expanding body of knowledge. We know the little details make dreams come alive therefore small changes when needed are the best way to stay on the right path. Be open, seek information that supports and goes against your common beliefs, and you’ll be a forever evolving unit that can overcome anything because you’ve considered everything.
