Maybe you don’t know!

“Cognitive Dissonance” is the term psychologists use to describe the discomfort or even agitation in our minds when are beliefs are challenged. When some new evidence comes our way that seeks to unseat a deeply held belief, we tend to shut our mind off and defend what we “know”.

This dissonance can be resolved in one of these ways:

• We can ignore the new evidence and hold on to our present belief
• Cast aside our old belief and embrace the new one
• Evaluate the new information and integrate it into what is known to be true

We all have an emotional attachment to our present beliefs, like it or not. When Copernicus put forth his proofs that the earth revolves around the sun, rather than the other way around, he was persecuted and thought mad. But he was  right! Most people are content to follow the crowd, often to their detriment.

Sometimes we challenge deeply held beliefs around here.

Beliefs that we know to be false:

• Slow steady state cardio (hamster on a wheel) is the best way to lose fat
• Women get bulky lifting heavy weights
• A healthy diet is based on grains
• I can’t do it
• Dunkin Donuts is better than Starbucks  (had to throw that one in)

Often times it doesn’t matter what scientific or empirical evidence that we present, some people are just going to dig their heels in and resist change.

I don’t believe in change for changes sake.

But ask yourself if some of your beliefs are holding you back.

Is there something that you are holding onto that’s keeping you from what you want?

Are you willing at the very least to evaluate new evidence, or are you going to stick with what you know?

Consider this…

Maybe you don’t know…

…and maybe that’s what’s holding you back.

Think about it for a little while.

Then Make It Happen!

Dean