Head versus Heart

One of the most annoying comments that I often hear directed at me is “You’re a psychologist so you shouldn’t have any problems”.

 

There is this unspoken pressure to be perfect and to possess this all-knowing wisdom at any given time in life. I only wish it really was that easy!

 

Imagine if everyone on the world studied and succeeded in obtaining a Psychology degree in order to make the world a perfect, mistake free place – yeah right.

 

The trouble is, humans have an innate challenge that constantly undermines our efforts to deal with life efficiently. That is: the paradox that exists between the brain/mind versus the heart.

 

When we are able to be objective (brain/mind) it is easier to make decisions. When there is emotion involved (heart) our judgement tends to go awry.

That is why people are often better at helping others than themselves. Emotion complicates matters as we attach subjective meaning to events and often don’t perceive things as they really are. Cognitive distortions take place and we can end up really going off track, making all sorts of assumptions and distressing ourselves in the process.

With this in mind, it’s important to try to be as rational as possible when making decisions and when assessing situations. What are the facts? Where is the evidence for your thinking?

Is there another way to look at the situation?

Whilst this can’t eradicate all of our personal filters that we use to perceive, it can help to engage our rational left-brain and encourages better outcomes

Mandy x