Some fairly recent studies have shown that much of what we perceive as reality “out there” is really reconstructed from our memories “in here.”
What?
Fully forty percent of what we think we’re perceiving is actually constructed from our memory banks.
Why?
Speed is the most important component when it comes to thinking. Long time ago, Mother Nature decided that speed was much more important than accuracy.
That’s why there’s so many psychological tricks that are so effective. Our brains are easy to fool.
Problem is that most of the time, it’s us fooling ourselves.
Most of the time, we operate with a “verification bias” when we look out into the world. We’re not looking for objective data. We’re not looking for new information. We’re looking for stuff that jibes with what we already think is true.
And since there’s TONS of stuff out there, it’s easy to pick and choose.
But, there’s an easy workaround, as the techies like to say.
Before you go into a situation, decide what you’d like to be true.
Then dig into your vast memory banks, and find examples.
Then when you enter that situation, make a conscious choice to find verification of what you want to believe is true, based on your decisions, and what you’ve uncovered in your past.
For example, let’s say you’re playing golf. And right now, you think you suck.
If you think you suck, you’ll end up sucking.
But if you honestly think you’re pretty good, you’ll shave a few points off your score.
So before you play next time, think back to five to ten really, really good shots you’ve made.
And use these as examples to verify.
Obviously, you can do this with any behavior or skill.
Have fun.