“Faced with a choice between changing one’s mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the proof.” — J.K. Galbraith
If I want to be right or make better choices in the long run, I have to accept that I will be wrong in the short run. Beliefs, mental models, and assumptions are not extensions of myself. If I hold on too tightly to my worldview, I risk stagnation.
The point is, our understanding of the world evolves. So why are we so bad at admitting when we are wrong? More often than not, it’s emotional.
Our beliefs become part of our identity.
Questioning them feels like questioning ourselves. But our beliefs aren’t you. They’re just tools, and like any tool, they need upgrading.
Some beliefs hold you back. They’re outdated, inaccurate, or simply not serving you anymore.
Being right isn’t the goal.
Growth is.
And the secret to growth? Making peace with the fact that you might be wrong. selfI read somewhere that if we won’t use Windows 95 for work, why are we okay with old beliefs that have stopped serving us?
Here’s a more relatable metaphor. Beliefs are like the apps on your phone. Some are essential, some are fun, and some…well, they drain your battery and slow you down.
Questionable beliefs are energy-sucking apps that cloud your judgment and keep you stuck in the same old patterns.
The problem with questionable beliefs is that we often treat them like permanent friends — “crony beliefs,” as the saying goes.
We don’t hold them up to scrutiny, even when they lead us down the wrong path.
Why?
Because deep down, we might not actually care if they’re true. Maybe they just make us feel comfortable, even if that comfort comes at the expense of our progress.
But beliefs are not permanent. They are not perfect. They get outdated. It’s our duty to keep them relevant for the life we want.
The question switch
So, how do we break free from these mental roadblocks?
Start by asking questions.
“If you’ve ever wanted to believe something, ask yourself where that desire comes from. Hint: it’s not the desire simply to believe what’s true.
In short: Just as money can pervert scientific research, so everyday social incentives have the potential to distort our beliefs.” — Kevin Simler
Why do I believe this? Could there be another perspective? Just a few well-placed questions can open the door to a wholenew way of thinking.
The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Like a true meritocracy, a healthy mind is open to a new “human operating system” (mental models, thinking tools) regardless of the source. Be more open to new beliefs, even if they challenge your beliefs or seem like the completeopposite — hear it out! Learn from it.
You might be surprised by what you learn.
Letting go of a belief or upgrading existing ones simply means acknowledging that you’ve grown, learned, and evolved.
Your beliefs should reflect who you are today, not who you were yesterday.
Questioning my beliefs is like updating software for my brain. I’m patching bugs, installing new features, and making myself a more powerful, adaptable thinker.
That’s something worth pursuing.
My best life depends on it.
We all have blind spots, and nobody has a monopoly on truth. Acknowledge that you might be wrong and be open to the possibility that your current beliefs are limiting you.
The more I examine and eliminate unnecessary beliefs, the lighter I become, free to explore, grow, and truly evolve into my best self.
I’m not afraid to ditch my crony beliefs.
If I want to be right in the long run, I have to accept that I will be wrong in the short run. It’s painful to lose your reality, but if your best life depends on it, consider it.
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