Mindfulness and Biased Decision Making: Decoding the influence
Do you often react in the heat of the moment only to later question why you didn’t see the whole picture? It’s a pretty common human experience that, if understood correctly, can help us understand the role of mindfulness and biased decision-making.
Why bother with all this, you might ask? Because understanding your quick reactions can help you see the hidden biases that often guide you. In today’s blog, I will discuss how being present with our thoughts can help us identify biases that even we fail to see. Here’s a quick overview of what’s ahead:
- Understanding Mindfulness
- Mindfulness and Decision-Making
- Impact of Mindfulness on Biases
- Mindfulness and Workplace Behaviour
- Practical Applications of Mindfulness
Let’s get started, shall we?
Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about being in the present without getting caught up in our usual judgments. While this may sound trivial, it is a powerful tool when it comes to understanding ourselves and the decisions we make. It helps you understand how our minds work, how mindfulness is done and how we end up with biased decision making.
1. Non-judgment
It all starts with a place free from judgments or biases. In other words, mindfulness requires you to observe your thoughts and feelings exactly as they are, without labeling them as good or bad. But in reality, it’s not so simple.
Our mind is always busy making quick judgments about people, situations, and ourselves. However, if you genuinely try to practice non-judgment, you will gradually realize how these automatic responses often lead to biases.
2. Beginner’s Mind
Shunryu Suzuki, a Zen Monk and teacher once said, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities but in the expert’s, they are few.” This quote perfectly conveys why it is often better to see situations with fresh eyes for mindful decision-making.
Keeping this in perspective, adopting a beginner’s mind can help to approach choices without any influence of past or future assumptions. This is why we must consider this perspective while making choices as it opens us up to new possibilities and perspectives. It makes us realize why curiosity and openness are important for mindful decision-making free from any bias.
3. Acceptance/Acknowledgement
When it comes to overcoming biases, acceptance is the key to decision-making as it’s a human tendency to deny our own faults. Once you accept that you have these biases, it is easier to work on them. This doesn’t just help to avoid over-reactions but also make decisions that truly reflect who you are and what you believe in.
Mindfulness and Decision-Making
When it comes to decision-making, mindfulness becomes more of a practical approach to understanding and managing how we make choices. Here, incorporating techniques such as mindfulness meditation into your routine can help in understanding the psychological influences on decision-making. As a result, it becomes easy to navigate through everything that our preset judgments and reactions lead us to.
1. Framing the Decision
When you start making a question, it’s important to focus on how you are framing the question. It’s important to be mindful here as it can help you see the situation clearly without biases. For instance, if you are considering a job offer, you might frame it after considering everything from work-life balance to career growth and not just the salary. This can lead to more comprehensive decision-making.
2. Gathering Information
Next on, look for any piece of information that can support what you are already thinking. This is known as confirmation bias. However, when you do it mindfully, it’s easier to avoid these cognitive distortions because it confirms our existing beliefs which may not always be right.
So the next time you make a decision, make sure to go through a wide range of data that gives you a well-rounded view of the situation. Not only will this broaden your understanding but also help in making a decision that is less influenced by your initial beliefs.
3. Coming to a Conclusion
Coming to a decision is often the most challenging part of decision-making because this is when you synthesize all the information you have. Mindfulness can help you manage and mitigate the influence of biases here.
Let’s suppose you are deciding on a holiday destination. If you are mindful while deciding, you will focus on every factor that matters equally. Whether it is the cost, travel time, or the cultural experience, everything will come under consideration and you will make a balanced decision.
4. Learning from Feedback
This is the final step in the decision-making where you evaluate the outcomes and focus on the feedback. Mindfulness plays an important role here in building a mindset that is more open and non-defensive, an important respect of emotional intelligence. It allows you to see feedback as valuable information that can refine your decision-making process, rather than criticism. Recently on Twitter, the famous author and entrepreneur Johnhy Nel shared his experiences with mindfulness and decision making.
𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Leaders who practice mindfulness can achieve greater focus and clarity in their decision-making processes, benefiting their teams and leadership abilties. pic.twitter.com/ucR1B46VVp
— Johnny Nel (@JohnnyNel_) April 10, 2024
Impact of Mindfulness on Biases
Is it only our decision-making process that mindfulness has its impact on? Not really. It can totally change the game when it comes to understanding how we unconsciously get biased. Mindfulness and biased decision making can make you more aware of your own biases to take more objective choices. Let’s take a closer look at how mindfulness can help you tackle biases:
- Spotting subtle biases: Have you ever realized you are more critical of ideas that don’t come from your usual perspective? There is no certainty that these ideas don’t hold any value and mindfulness can help you avoid cognitive biases to understand these situations from a mature perspective.
- Questioning first reactions: Mindfulness somehow slows us down and makes us think about why we react in a certain way. This pause is important because it lets us know if we really feel a certain way or if it is just our knee-jerk reaction.
Mindfulness and Workplace Behavior
Cognitive mindfulness is not just a concept for personal growth but also brings tangible workplace benefits. It affects everything from how we perform jobs to how we handle stress. Let’s break things down a bit and how bringing a bit of mindfulness to work can make a big difference!
1. Mindfulness and Work Performance
When we are mindful at work, we are really tuned into what we are doing. This means we are less likely to make mistakes and more likely to focus on the little details that make our work stand out. If you are working on a complex report – you will focus better and come up with a creative solution if you are mindful of what mistakes you can probably make.
2. Mindfulness and Work Engagement
Being present also helps us engage more with our work. When you are fully in the moment, even routine tasks can become interesting and satisfying. This can make a big difference in team meetings as well. When everyone is really listening and present, discussions tend to be more productive which is important to ensure mindful decision making within the team.
3. Mindfulness and Stress Management
Work can be stressful but mindfulness helps you manage that stress before it can overwhelm you. Simple practices like mindfulness meditation and taking deep breaths can calm your mind and reduce feelings of stress. Not only will this help you feel better but also keep your mind sharp and ready to handle whatever comes your way.
Practical Applications of Mindfulness
Making mindfulness a part of your daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. You must learn how to practice mindfulness to use mindfulness techniques for biased decision making. Let’s look at 3 easy ways to get started with mindfulness practices and how you can make your own path to greater awareness!
1. Simple Meditation
Start with just 5 minutes a day and find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably and focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, (which it will!), gently try to bring attention back to your breathing and keep repeating it. This little break can work wonders for your mental clarity and stress level ultimately benefiting how you make decisions.
2. Open Awareness
It is one of the mindfulness techniques that are all about letting your mind notice whatever comes without focusing on anything specific. You can do this anytime anywhere because all you need to do is just take a moment to pause and observe your surroundings. Notice everything – the sounds, the light, or any fragrance if there is one. Let your senses guide you and try to be open to all experiences without judging any of them. This may sound trivial but it’s a really beautiful experience!
3. Body Awareness
Also known as a body scan in the context of decision-making psychology, this practice involves paying attention to different parts of your body, one at a time. Start with your toes and work your way up to the head. Try to notice if there is any tension or discomfort in any part but don’t try to change it. This can be a good way to connect with your own body and find areas where stress might be building up without you knowing it.
Some practical ways to weave mindfulness into your day:
Once you get there, start incorporating meditation and other practices into your daily routine – and this can be easier than you might think. Practicing mindfulness has great potential in biased decision making. Here is how you can do it:
- Mindful Wakeup: Start your day with intention. Before you jump out of your bed, take a few moments to breathe deeply and set a positive tone for your day. You can also think about what you are grateful for or set a simple goal like staying calm or being kind to everyone you meet. This will help you start your day on a positive note and get better at decision making.
- Mindful Eating: Meals are perfect times for a bit of mindfulness. Try turning off the TV, putting away your phone, and focusing only on your food – notice the colors, smells, and tastes. Chew your food slowly and really taste each of these mouthfuls. It’s not only good for digestion but you will probably enjoy your food more and feel more satisfied.
- Mindful Pause: In our busy lives, it’s easy to lose ourselves in the rush. But setting aside just a few minutes every hour for a deep breath and a little stillness can make a big difference. Simply close your eyes and notice your breath, or maybe look out the window and let your mind rest. These small pauses often work like soft whispers and remind us to take care of ourselves throughout the day.
Mindfulness in Motion
Let’s now look at how you can practice mindfulness in some routine physical activities:
- Mindful Movement: This can be a lovely way to reconnect with your body and the space around you. Whether stretching in the morning, taking a walk or simply moving around your workspace, try to be fully present in the sensations and your body. Notice the feeling of your feet on the ground, the rhythm of your breathing, and how your limbs move.
If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to the physical sensations of your body movements. This practice not only brings a calming awareness to your routine but also enhances the enjoyment and effectiveness of what you are doing.
- Mindful Driving: We often drive on autopilot but it’s actually a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. How? Next time you are behind the wheel, try to focus fully on the experience. Notice the feel of the steering wheel under your hands, the tension in your posture, and the surroundings through your windshield. Every time you stop at a light or a sign, take a deep breath and check in with yourself. This way, you will be better equipped to manage your stress levels, improve your focus, and make a journey safer and more pleasant!
Conclusion: Mindfulness and Biased Decision Making
As we come to the end of this discussion, I hope you found some valuable insights on mindfulness and biased decision-making. Always remember, being mindful is not just about getting everything right or never having a biased thought. It’s quite natural to have such thoughts. But at the same time, it’s important to be aware of how they influence our decisions and act accordingly. So, take these ideas, experiment, and see how they can lighten up your day and life! I hope you liked this article. For more informative and helpful articles, please subscribe to LearnReal.in.
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