Human beings really like to be right. We seek out news outlets that are in line with our existing beliefs and discount sources that regularly disagree with the way we already see the world. We follow people and pages on social media that reinforce our perspectives. Experts call this an "echo chamber". We like when people say things that are in alignment with what we were already thinking.
This phenomenon can also be used to benefit our performance coaching.
Beliefs > Actions > Results > "I told you so"
We take actions that are in line with our beliefs. Those actions produce results that are in line with those actions, So the results we get reinforce the beliefs we hold. Then we get to be right and say "I told you so!"
Here's an example: If someone holds a belief that "I'm not good at math" and this person is faced with an upcoming exam, they'll take actions in their study habits that are in line with someone who doesn't think they'll do well on the test whether they study hard or not. They'll say things like "I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna fail." How do you think this person will likely do on their exam?
Not very well I imagine... BUT they do get one benefit... They get to be RIGHT.
"See, I told you I wasn't good at math!"
Instead, think about the person who goes into an exam saying, "I'm going to rock this thing." They will take the actions that are in line with someone who believes they will do well, and then get results that match their actions. This person gets to be right too. "See, I told you I was going to rock it."
So it's not just about positive beliefs. It's about positive beliefs that cause us to take action and make moves that are in line with those beliefs, which produces predictable results.
That's our own personal echo chamber, and rarely do we end up proving ourselves wrong.
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