"7 Mental Biases That Ruin Your Progress" Season 2-Episode 18
- Functional Lifestyles
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Hey FunLifers,
If you want to succeed — in your fitness, your career, your relationships, or any meaningful goal — you must first believe it’s possible. Belief opens the door to opportunity. But biases and limiting beliefs quietly influence how we think, how we act, and ultimately who we become.
This week, we’re diving deep into how your mind shapes your reality… and how to take back control.
The Invisible Forces Running Your Life
Our brains are designed for efficiency, not truth. Biases act as mental shortcuts that help us survive — but often blind us from what’s actually real.
1. Confirmation Bias
We search for information that supports what we already believe.
It’s why nutrition debates get so extreme, why politics get messy, and why people cling to “their way” even when confronted with facts.
2. Negativity Bias
We feel and remember negative moments far more deeply than positive ones.
One criticism can overshadow ten compliments. One bad encounter can ruin an entire day.
3. Status Quo Bias
We resist change — even when it would benefit us.
Whether it’s a workplace process or a personal habit, staying the same feels safer than stepping into the unknown.
4. Survivorship Bias
We only look at success stories and ignore the failures.
It’s why “overnight success” stories distort reality and create unrealistic expectations.
5. Self-Serving Bias
We take credit for wins and blame others for losses.
This destroys teams, cultures, and relationships.
6. Sunk Cost Fallacy
We stay in jobs, relationships, and situations long after they stop serving us — simply because we’ve already invested time, money, or energy.
7. Availability Bias / Recency Bias
Whatever we heard most recently feels the most “true,” even if it’s not.
These don’t make you a bad person — they make you human. But awareness is step one.
The Other Side: Limiting Beliefs
Biases shape how you interpret the world.
Limiting beliefs shape how you interpret yourself.
Common examples:
“I’m just not the type of person who…”
“I don’t have time.”
“I’m bad with money.”
“I can’t lose weight because of my genetics.”
“I’m not ready yet.”
These beliefs feel true, but most aren’t.
They’re protective, not progressive.
Your brain looks for what you tell it to look for.
Think in problems → you find more problems.
Think in solutions → you find more solutions.
Why Belief Matters More Than You Think
Nothing changes until your beliefs change.
The four-minute mile wasn’t broken for decades — then once one person did it, multiple people achieved it within a year.
Why? Someone proved what was possible.
When you believe something is possible, your mind becomes a tool for progress instead of a barrier.
Strategies to Break Biases & Rewire Beliefs
Here are several practical ways to start reshaping how you think:
1. Choose Data Over Emotion
Track, measure, and verify.
Whether it’s your fitness, finances, or habits — let numbers guide you.
2. Perspective Swap
Ask yourself: If I were coaching myself, what would I say?
It’s easier to see truth when you take a step outside yourself.
3. Create Time for Reflection
Journal, record voice notes, sit in silence — anything to get your thoughts out of your head and into the open.
4. Ask for Feedback
Growth accelerates when you allow others to show you what you can’t see.
Ask people you trust:
“What’s something I could improve that I’m not noticing?”
It’s uncomfortable — and invaluable.
5. Critically Think for Yourself
Everyone has opinions. Everyone has biases.
Even experts. Even AI. Even you.
Pause and ask:
“Why do I believe this?”
If you don’t have an answer, you may simply be adopting someone else’s belief.
Final Thought
Your biases shape your reality.
Your beliefs shape your identity.
Both can either limit you or empower you — depending on whether you examine them.
Success always begins with a choice:
Believe in the possibility.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next week.
-Corey
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