Look for what proves you wrong
Challenge your beliefs to see what’s true.
We tend to look for evidence that supports what we already believe. That bias makes it hard to see reality as it is, affecting our thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions. If a belief is holding you back, could lead to poor decisions, or triggers negative feelings, seek out evidence that contradicts it. Treat these beliefs like hypotheses. Look for facts and perspectives that challenge them, not just support them.
Think of yourself as a researcher trying to disprove a hypothesis. Or a detective following every lead that might contradict your assumptions. If you believe you can’t learn a new language, look for evidence of skills you’ve picked up quickly in the past. If you assume a colleague doesn’t like you, recall times they acted supportively or positively. And if you believe a widely circulated conspiracy is true, check reliable sources and evidence that contradict it. Like a judge or juror, weigh all evidence impartially, both supporting and contradictory, to reach a balanced conclusion. The evidence may show your belief is mostly true, partly true, or completely false.
Looking for contradictory evidence is about being curious and asking yourself the question:
Here are some practical ways to challenge your beliefs and seek out evidence that might prove them wrong:
👉 Test your beliefs in practice: Experiment in real life to see if your assumptions actually hold. For example, if you assume a colleague doesn’t like you, go to lunch with them to see what happens. If you believe you’re not athletic, try a new workout or sport for a few weeks to see how much you improve. Or if you assume you’re bad at connecting with new people, intentionally start a conversation with someone new and observe how it goes.
👉 Seek opposing viewpoints: Read articles, books, or opinions that challenge your beliefs. Talk to people with opposing views, ask clarifying questions, and make an effort to fully understand their perspective.
👉 Play devil’s advocate: Temporarily assume the opposite of your belief is true to open your mind to new perspectives and evidence.
👉 Keep a belief journal: Whenever you uncover evidence that challenges a belief, write it down immediately. Recording these insights helps you capture reality before it slips away.
👉 Pause and reflect: When evidence challenges your beliefs, take a moment to consider it fully rather than dismissing it.
👉 Use targeted searches: Combine your belief with terms like “hoax,” “scam,” or “false” to explore information that might contradict it.
Over time, practicing these techniques can reveal blind spots, sharpen your thinking, and lead to better decisions grounded in reality. You may gain clearer insight into yourself, others, and the world. The more you challenge your beliefs, the more open, curious, and aligned with evidence your mind becomes.
