What is fooling yourself?

Fooling yourself is a common behavior where you believe something that is not true or ignore evidence that contradicts your beliefs or expectations. It is a form of self-deception and can have negative consequences on your life and decision-making.

Examples of fooling yourself include:

• Believing you can multitask efficiently when research shows that multitasking leads to decreased productivity and lower quality of work.
• Ignoring warning signs in a relationship because you want to believe the person is perfect for you.
• Continuously telling yourself that you will start exercising and eating healthier next week, but never following through.
• Getting defensive when receiving feedback or criticism to protect your ego and avoid facing your flaws.

Fooling yourself can lead to missed opportunities, poor decision-making, and self-sabotage. It is important to be aware of your biases and challenge your beliefs with evidence and logic to avoid falling into the trap of self-deception.