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How to Be Wrong
A guide to challenging your assumptions
Some of our mistakes are easier to admit to than others. If you underestimated, say, the amount of time it would take to change a tire? Most people probably wouldn’t have a problem saying so.
But when it comes to our deep-rooted beliefs and worldviews, we have a stake in remaining steadfast in what we’ve told ourselves is true. Most folks see being wrong as a mark of shame instead of a prerequisite to self-improvement. As the journalist Kathryn Schulz wrote in her book Being Wrong, we often see errors as “evidence of our gravest social, intellectual, and moral failures.”
That’s what culture has taught us. Think about it. How often do you say to yourself at the end of a day: “I believed something this morning that I no longer believe now.” In my adult life, this revelation occurred almost never.
It’s been my loss. There are great benefits to being wrong: When you learn to punctuate everything you believe with a question mark, you open yourself to the discovery of knowledge. You routinely discard old views in favor of perspectives that are informed by evidence, history, and a variety of opinions. You find a whole new way of navigating the world.
I wanted to learn how to challenge my own assumptions — not just around certain issues, but as a habit. So I created what I called the 30-Day Becoming Wiser Challenge, which involves both a morning and an evening routine. Here’s how it works.
Morning routine
The morning routine primes your mind to stay open and investigate reality throughout the day ahead.
Ask yourself this question: What belief will I be wrong about today? You’ll want to document your answer somewhere, like a journal, a voice memo, or a note on your phone.
Focus on something specific. You might even want to start with something small and low-stakes. (“Milk should be poured before adding the cereal.”) Once you get in the habit of asking yourself the question each day, you can move on to bigger, more personal topics.
Decide how you’ll seek out information to disprove your belief. Will you schedule a conversation with someone who believes the opposite? Will you…
