Many years ago, I traveled around Europe, serving as the keynote speaker at military bases for the women’s ministry known as PWOC annual retreats. During my travels, I heard the same phrase from the ladies over and over. “This is the worst place to live.”
Finally, at one point, I got so fed up with hearing the same phrase that I said, “Ladies, this cannot be the worst place to live, because the last five places I visited were the worst places!”
Confirmation Bias
“Confirmation bias is the tendency of humans to seek information that confirms an already held belief or opinion and to avoid or discount information that might contradict an existing belief or opinion.”
If you believe that where you live is absolutely the worst place to live, you’ll tend to focus on its shortcomings. Instead of appreciating the great friendships you’ve made at church, you’ll notice the neglected buildings that need painting. Or instead of taking a moment to look at the gorgeous sunset out your back window, you’ll only hear the kids yelling in the background.
“When we’re under the spell of confirmation bias, it’s easy to miss turning points because we’re stuck on our current belief or opinion and won’t change even when we see contradicting evidence.”
Seeing the Negative
Because you focused solely on the negative aspects, you missed out on the wonderful parks and historical sites that surround your new location. Even when you encounter something positive, you refuse to change your opinion.
How can we overcome this negative mindset? Here are two key strategies that can help:
- Acknowledge that Confirmation Bias Exists: Understanding that confirmation bias is real helps us avoid falling into its trap.
- Actively Seek Contradictory Opinions. To change your perspective on your situation, you first need to recognize that you are biased. While you may have loved the last place you lived, this place is simply different.
Once you accept that it is not the same, you can actively look for what is good about your new location. Ask others what they like about this place and what interesting things they discovered here. Be open to new ideas.
Until you acknowledge your bias, you will continue to see things the same way.
Think on the Good Things
The Bible in Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on the good things. I once laid a card with this verse printed on it on my kitchen counter and thought of one thing for each word.
Think about things that are:
True − Honorable − Right − Pure – Lovely − Admirable − Excellent − Worthy of Praise.
Now there’s a list worth filling our minds with!
Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Quotes taken from PAX Financial Group Newsletter, January 23, 2012
PWOC is the Protestant Women of the Chapel – https://www.facebook.com/PWOCHUB
