15 Ways to Get a Dose of Reality

It’s great to have strong convictions and believe in yourself — to a degree. Even if you’re convinced you’re making the correct choice or taking the right position on an issue, there’s always the possibility that you’re wrong. Having said that, many people close their eyes, dig in their heels, and continue to march ahead with certainty. Do you need a reality check?

How to Get a Reality Check

It’s always healthy to practice some uncertainty and park your ego at the door by thinking, “Perhaps I’m wrong about this.” Here are 15 ways to get a dose of reality:

Listen don’t just talk.
Surround yourself with a diverse set of views and opinions.
Question your assumptions and challenge your opinions.
Identify whether a personal bias is clouding your judgment.
Determine whether you’re evaluating all sides of an issue.
Debate as if you’re right but listen in case you’re wrong.
Evaluate ideas based on merit rather than the status of the presenter.
Assess whether an expert is really an expert after all.
Consider whether you’re acting rationally or emotionally.
Identify whether you’re making the right decision or the safe one.
Determine whether a decision is based on sound rationale or swayed by groupthink.
Challenge the status quo rather than be encumbered by previous decisions.
Focus on the facts rather than opinion.
Consider whether circumstances have changed since a decision was made.
Reevaluate whether a program is delivering results as planned.

Some people don’t admit an error because it’s a blow to their ego. Others don’t admit their missteps because it’ll tarnish their image. The truth is mistakes don’t define you, but the way you respond to them does. Sweeping wrongs under the rug or pretending they don’t exist doesn’t make you look good. When you admit a wrong, people know that you’re honest, humble, and authentic. Plus, it provides an opportunity to learn from it, make a course correction, and move on. As someone once said, “When you’re wrong, admit it. When you’re right, be quiet.”