The 4 Barriers Limiting YOU

As we age, we develop certain beliefs and attitudes that influence how we think and behave. These beliefs can stem from our environment, the people around us, and the way we are brought up. Although our mindsets can always change, the beliefs that we grow up with usually stick with us for the rest of our life, unless something big or noticeable happens like a traumatic event or a spiritual encounter. When ideas are planted into our minds, especially at a young age, it can be hard to even consider different perspectives let alone accept them. We humans are naturally biased. We defend what we know because it feels more comfortable to live in familiarity. That’s where the saying, ‘a comfortable lie or the uncomfortable truth’ comes from. This isn’t to say that what you believe in isn’t true, but often we become so enamoured by what we want to believe in that we sacrifice others’ and even our own wellbeing and potential. So, what are the barriers limiting you?

Negative Bias

In the past, our ancestors constantly had to be on the lookout for predators and danger. Even now, we have carried that programming into modern life. But here’s the thing. Go outside. Is there a giant, hungry lion at your door? Didn’t think so. Negative bias is when we seek out and only notice the bad things. We tend to only acknowledge everything that is bad instead of what is good. You are more likely to remember a bad day than a good day. Unless you win the lottery or something, even if you had a generally good day, you’re probably just going to take it for granted and forget about it. Now back to the lion. Recognition of constant danger just isn’t as relevant or important to modern day life. Sure, bad things happen occasionally, but caring only about the bad is what leads to pessimism. Where will that spiral of lost hope lead you? You are limiting your own POTENTIAL.

Tips:

Try consciously looking out for all the good things that happen. Pay little attention to inconveniences and focus your energy on all that is good. Maybe even write these things down. Whenever you can, think of at least three things you are grateful for.

Confirmation Bias

Similar to what I was saying before about defending our beliefs, confirmation bias is when we only seek out evidence that supports our beliefs. This means we may disregard the whole story or piece of evidence and only use the parts that fit with what we already believe in. This is a form of ignorance and can lead to bad decision-making. Often our beliefs don’t actually stem from logic. Very few of us actually take the time to research all possibilities which is pretty much impossible anyway. So, when some sort of evidence comes along, we try our best to make it fit. This can also be harmful as when new information is presented, confirmation bias may cause us to reject it in defence of our preexisting mindset.

Tips:

Try to research the opposite or different perspectives of your beliefs. This could be done by asking something or having a healthy debate. Think of ways that your belief may be wrong instead of right. You don’t have to completely change everything you believe in, but it’s overall healthy to consider other perspectives which can help us become more empathetic, reasonable, and accepting.

Attribution Bias

This type of bias is when we explain a person’s behaviour by judging their character rather than questioning their situation. For example, when someone is late, and they are judged as being disrespectful immediately without consideration of other factors like traffic or stopping to help someone out. This is especially harmful for other people. It isn’t fair to comment on someone’s character especially since you never know what someone is going through. Sometimes unexpected things happen that are out of a person’s control. Of course, some people are just not nice, but it’s always good to give them the benefit of the doubt especially when you don’t know them.

Tips:

Never jump straight to conclusions and always give someone the benefit of the doubt. Try to be empathetic towards others and never assume you know what they are going through.

Ignorance

Then there’s straight up ignorance. This is, of course, disregarding something or someone and pretending the issue doesn’t exist. Trust me empathy will never go out of style. In fact, I think it becomes more important every single day. Ignorance not only harms others, but it can also harm ourselves. Ignoring issues does not make them disappear, if anything it makes them grow. This is also a form of bias, because it aims to benefit ourselves and our beliefs. You may have heard the saying, ‘Ignorance is bliss’. Well, ignorance isn’t just a lack of knowledge; it is the choice to ignore information, and the guilt and even emptiness we feel from that only grows. In truth, ignorance limits us from being the empathetic, loving, and successful beings we were destined to be. We should not be simply disregarding reality in pursuit of our desires, but instead, harnessing, shaping, and creating our reality to pave the way for a better tomorrow.

Always keep in mind that your beliefs and attitudes HEAVILY impact and shape the way you perceive reality. It is with utmost importance that we evolve through life with an open mind and always strive to seek out the truth not just what we want the truth to be. It is up to us to build our own destiny not by ignoring reality but by creating it for the greater good.