You Don’t Get To Choose What You Believe

Shaping Beliefs: The Role of Evidence and Action

One of the intriguing aspects of human cognition is our ability to influence our beliefs. Traditionally, we've heard about the law of attraction: think positively about what you want, and you'll begin to believe it, gradually shaping your mindset towards your goals. This method advocates for the power of positive thinking and self-affirmation as tools for achieving success.

However, a recent perspective that I’ve come to appreciate is the notion that we don’t actually get to choose what we believe. This idea was illustrated by Steven Bartlett, who proposed an interesting thought experiment:

Consider a belief you currently hold and ask yourself, “Could you simply choose to stop believing it right now?” For instance, if someone offered you a billion dollars to believe that a two-cent coin is actually worth five cents, could you genuinely alter your belief? The answer is likely no, because our brains aren't easily fooled.

This highlights an essential truth: while we can lie to ourselves, we cannot truly change our core beliefs on command. We are discussing actual belief here, not hope or faith, but genuine conviction.

The Power of Evidence in Shaping Beliefs

If we can agree that we don’t choose our beliefs at will, we must then ask: what does shape our beliefs? The answer lies in evidence.

Our beliefs are rooted in the evidence we gather from various sources:

• First-party senses: Personal experiences and sensory inputs.

• Observations: What we see happening around us.

• Trusted authorities: Information from figures or sources we consider credible.

While this evidence might not always represent objective reality, it forms the basis of our beliefs. Therefore, if we wish to change our beliefs, we need to immerse ourselves in situations where our current beliefs are challenged by new evidence.

Bridging Self-Development and Action

This concept is valuable because it bridges a critical gap in self-development: the gap between shaping self-belief and taking action. By understanding that our cognitive system relies on evidence, we can more effectively align our actions with our desired outcomes and overcome procrastination.

To change our beliefs, we must take proactive steps:

1. Seek New Experiences: Engage in activities and situations that challenge your current beliefs.

2. Gather Evidence: Collect and evaluate new information that counters your existing beliefs.

3. Trust the Process: Recognize that belief change is gradual and based on accumulating evidence over time.

By taking action and encountering new evidence, we can shape our self-belief in a way that aligns with our goals and aspirations.

Let’s commit to shaping our self-belief through deliberate action and the constant pursuit of new evidence. This approach not only enhances our understanding but also strengthens our resolve to achieve our goals.

Recommended Book 📚

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

https://amzn.to/3W3olqU