What are you most likely wrong about?
I skipped right over this question the first time I read it.
“N/A. Not applicable. Nothing. Well, could there be something? Maybe? Ugh. I don’t even know.”
As the oldest girl in my family, I want to be right. I’ve always wanted to be right. (It’s paired with an equally strong desire to be first.) Whenever I read advice like “find your passion,” I wonder if a desire to be right qualifies.
I’ve noticed that it’s not a desire to be right about useful things like how much to tip and what time to leave for the hospital when you’re in labor.
I want to be right about all sorts of random and impossible-to-know things like the weather at a friend’s wedding in November, Olympic synchronized swimming scores, and knowing why others do what they do and say what they say.
This less-than-charming combination has served me in some ways and held me back in so many more. It’s tough to try new things when you know going in that you’re likely to be wrong for a while (or forever.)
I used to think this was an affliction reserved for us first borns. It turns out I was wrong about that. A lot of us are like this.
So, today’s journal prompt* suggests we look at those beliefs we hold on to, unchallenged because we think we’re right and we want to be right.
Take a deep breath. Here goes…
What are you most likely wrong about?
This isn’t an easy one. At least it wasn’t for me.
When I sat down to write, I saw a brick wall flash in my head.
What helped me get started was listing those times I changed my mind. What had to thought before? What new information did I get? What did I think now?
From there, I could start to acknowledge the many times I’ve made assumptions about something (then fiercely defended my position)- without the data, without curiosity, or without giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
By listing thoughts in this way, I saw some I could just let be. They’re not hurting anything or anyone at the moment. I just know they’re there.
Others require me to back up and consider other possibilities, apologize, or start again.
Reflecting on this question is both uncomfortable and worth it. Like many of the questions, they’re not “one and done” activities.
Asking ourselves again in a few days, weeks, or months- or whenever you suspect you might be jumping to conclusions to feed that desire to be right- helps deepen the self-awareness.
“I LOVE BEING WRONG BECAUSE THAT MEANS IN THAT INSTANT, I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW THAT DAY.”
- NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
