We all are. Is it possible to make the number of mistakes in our lives less? Joseph Hallinan, a writer, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, asked this question. After a detailed analysis, Joseph concluded that he did, and even wrote a book where he shared several of his observations and advice. After reading it, I would like to summarize a few chapters.
We look, but not always notice
Remember the expression "blurred look". So, it is the "blurred look" the author describes as the first cause of many errors. Often we tend not to observe, and instantly assess the whole situation with a glance, especially when it comes to routine processes. The book describes one shocking study in which oncologists missed almost 90% of cancer tumors in the initial stage due to the banal carelessness during the examination.
CONCLUSION: to avoid mistakes in something, first of all pay attention to your vision, try to see more and look at the details.
We look for meaning in everything
We are looking for meaning in everything, even if it is not. This is easily illustrated by one experiment that the author describes. Two groups of people are given the same photo. One reported that is the culprit, and others that a scientist (of the group are located in different places). Then the participants of the experiment are asked to describe the nature of these people (actually one person) in the photo, and then begins. More, by the way, you can see in the movie "Me and others".
CONCLUSION: in order not to be mistaken, assume the probability that some objects and phenomena may lack some higher meaning, and do not try to look for a relationship in everything.
We compare facts
Often, some facts are grounds for us to think one way or another. And whether we think, whether there are enough these facts to judge for certain. The conclusion, which is made on the basis of several particular facts, is inductive and can often contradict reality. For example, think about whether we have enough information about a person's education to say about his competence?
CONCLUSION: if you do not want to make a serious mistake, there should be a lot of facts and the conclusion should be based on logic.
We all wear rose-colored glasses
To avoid cognitive dissonance, we give some of our mistakes and problems a positive connotation. So, gamblers losing it seems not a defeat and almost victory (nearly enough). People through pink glasses often perceive alcoholism and Smoking until the case ends with a serious illness.
CONCLUSION: try to be objective in your assessments, listen to other people's opinions. If someone reproaches or criticizes you in some way, and this happens often-this is a reason to think.
We can walk and chew gum at the same time – nothing more
Constant switching between cases, simultaneous execution of several tasks – all these are the reasons of many serious errors. One of the studies of the national transportation safety Committee of the United States shows that one look of the driver in the direction of more than 2 seconds is enough to double the risk of an accident. Our attention is subject to Miller's law, and the more cases we take, the less attention we have.
CONCLUSION: to reduce errors, you do something one.
This is not all of the author's observations, the book describes a lot of life situations and life hacks, for example, the author advises from several queues to choose the left, as most people are right-handed and they tend to look at the entrance to the room first to the right.
The illustrations are used in agreement with the Depositphotos photobank
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