Assumptions and Biases Create Limitations. 

It’s strange sometimes how we let our perceptions and assumptions dictate our behavior and choices, even when it is against our own best interests. This happens in all areas of life from the simple to the complex, and often prevents us from getting the most out of our lives and the world around us.

This was recently brought home to me…again…in a very simple, mundane manner: grocery shopping. I normally shop at a brand name grocery in an unincorporated area of our county. It’s “the place” to shop; it’s “safe”; it’s “got everything”.

Over the Holidays, I went there as usual; fought my way around the limited parking area (circling several times) to finally find a spot; and muscled my way through the crowded aisles. With disappointment, I found they were out of stock on some essentials, product quality on what was there was not up to my expectations, and check-out lines were long.

In a quest to find my usual products needed for the Holiday dinner, I grudgingly went to another store of the same chain in a neighboring city. Parking was great, shelves were well-stocked, product selection and quality were much better than the other store, and no one was pushing me about in the aisles. The store was recently renovated, clean, and inviting.

When I assessed the situation, I realized that this second store was just as close and convenient as my usual store…I just needed to head in a slightly different direction. It was certainly as “safe”, located in a well-maintained mini-mall with a clean, spacious parking lot. So why hadn’t I gone there in the first place? Because it was located in a city with a reputation for being “less than” the unincorporated area, I assumed limited product selection and lower quality. I assumed an inferior shopping experience and by doing so, did not discover this much-improved environment until pushed by necessity. My new destination grocery store!

We don’t question our perceptions and pre-conceived notions enough. We let them keep us contained and allow them to reinforce our suspicion of the unknown. We like the comfort of knowing where we are and what to expect. Imagine if the scientists who led us to the moon and into frontline bioscience did not challenge their perceptions and assumptions; weren’t interested in experiencing the unknown and satisfying their curiosity!

Think about the limits we unintentionally put on ourselves and on our children when we prevent us or them from exploring a new idea, visiting a different place, or experiencing a new interest. For the sake of progress and opening new doors for our children, we must become the explorers in our own worlds. Expand! Experience! Enjoy the excitement of discovery!