Seeing how merely thinking about something will exaggerate its importance.
“Nothing in life is quite as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it”
“…merely thinking about it will exaggerate its importance”
– Daniel Kahneman
Consider the following scenarios:
- You are considering moving to a new location which is much sunnier
- Q. How much impact on your happiness to do associate with the sunshine?
- Insight: Studies show that a sunny climate has little impact on overall happiness!
- Someone recommends a book to you
- Q. How much weight do you assign to this book, out of all available books?
- Remembering the focusing illusion can help you stop a knee-jerk purchase and re-shift of your attention!
- You look in the mirror and notice a new wrinkle or other blemish
- Q. How much attention and weight do you give to it?
- Just the act of focusing on it will exaggerate it’s significance. Remembering the focusing illusion can help you regain a broader perspective.