Confirmation bias explained...

- Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that causes people to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses. It can lead people to ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts their worldview, even when it is strong and compelling.  It can also be considered a cognitive disorder.   Your brain is continually working on your confirmation bias, looking for evidence that your beliefs are true and accurate.

Here are some examples of confirmation bias:

* Limiting beliefs: You believe you can't or will never.... (whatever it is), so your brain looks for evidence to confirm this belief keeping you stuck.
* Selective perception: You may notice and remember information that supports your beliefs while ignoring or forgetting information that contradicts them.
* Selective memory: You may recall past events in a way that confirms your current beliefs.
* Overconfidence: People may be overly confident in their beliefs, even when there is little or no evidence to support them.
* Groupthink: People may conform to the beliefs of their group, even if they disagree with them.
* Backfire effect: When people are presented with evidence that contradicts their beliefs, they may become even more strongly attached to those beliefs.

- Confirmation bias can impact our ability to progress, reach our goals or move forward. Ever felt stuck? Or frustrated because you can't get out of the cycle you're in? 

- Confirmation bias can have a significant impact on our decision-making, our relationships, and our understanding of the world. It can lead us to make poor choices, to become entrenched in our beliefs, and to be resistant to new ideas.
It is important to be aware of confirmation bias and to take steps to avoid it. 

Some strategies for avoiding confirmation bias include:
* Seek out diverse perspectives: Try to expose yourself to a variety of viewpoints, even those that you disagree with.

* Consider the evidence carefully: Evaluate evidence objectively, without letting your preconceived beliefs influence your judgment.  

*Be open to changing your mind: If new evidence contradicts your beliefs, be willing to reconsider your position.

* Recognise the limitations of human judgment: We are all subject to cognitive biases, so it is important to be aware of our own limitations and to seek out the opinions of others.

* Challenge your beliefs:  Be open to self reflection.  Question whether you're beliefs are holding you back or helping you move forward.