In This Article

• What is cognitive bias, and how does it fuel stubborn thinking?
• Which common biases keep us stuck in outdated beliefs?
• How do these biases shape our decisions and relationships?
• What practical steps can we take to think more openly?
• How does embracing change improve our lives?

Why Stubborn Thinking Holds You Back—and How to Fix It

Let’s be honest: nobody likes to admit they’re wrong. It’s uncomfortable. It bruises the ego. Worse, it forces us to question whether the ideas we’ve built our identity around—our core beliefs—might not be as airtight as we thought. And in today’s world of tribal politics, social media echo chambers, and knee-jerk outrage, admitting fault isn’t just difficult—it’s practically an act of rebellion. Changing your mind doesn’t just feel like adjusting an opinion; it feels like betraying yourself. It’s why people dig in, double down, and defend bad ideas long after they’ve been proven false.

But here’s the real problem: that stubbornness is ruining your life.

This isn’t just about politics. It’s not about society. It’s about you—your success, your relationships, your ability to navigate the world without constantly getting played, manipulated, or left behind.

Think about it. Are you actually making smart decisions? Or are you just defending the ones you’ve already made? Are you adapting when new information challenges you, or are you clinging to old beliefs out of sheer habit? If the answer is the latter, it’s costing you—financially, emotionally, and in ways you probably haven’t even considered.

Your Brain is Lying to You—And It’s Costing You

Humans aren’t wired for truth. We’re wired for survival. And that worked fine back when our biggest problem was figuring out whether a rustling in the bushes meant "predator" or "wind." Back then, hesitation meant death, so our ancestors trusted their instincts, not careful analysis. The cautious ones lived long enough to pass on their genes, while the skeptics—well, they got eaten.

Fast forward a few thousand years, and those same instincts are still running the show. Except now, instead of lions, we’re dealing with economic shifts, career decisions, relationships, and information warfare. The problem is, our brains still default to snap judgments and emotional reactions, not critical thinking.

When you hear new information that contradicts your beliefs, your immediate response isn’t curiosity—it’s defense. Your brain doesn’t ask, "Could this be true?" It asks, "How do I prove this wrong?" That’s bias. That’s how people get stuck. That’s how they end up repeating the same mistakes—financially, socially, politically—while convincing themselves they’re being "rational."

History is full of examples of what happens when people refuse to adapt. Entire civilizations have crumbled because leaders, blinded by their own assumptions, refused to change course. The Roman Empire, for all its glory, collapsed under the weight of its own arrogance, expanding beyond its means and ignoring economic warning signs. The French aristocracy scoffed at the idea that revolution was brewing—until the guillotines rolled in. The Ottoman Empire, once a global powerhouse, refused to modernize its military because it had "always worked before." The result? They were crushed by nations that had adapted.

Closer to home, the same pattern repeats. Blockbuster dismissed Netflix as a fad. Kodak ignored digital photography. General Motors refused to take Japanese automakers seriously. The lesson is always the same. The world changes. Those who don’t change with it lose everything.

But this isn’t just about history. This is about you.

How Bias is Sabotaging Your Life

If you’re not questioning your own thinking, you’re probably making costly mistakes without realizing it. People waste money because they refuse to re-evaluate their spending habits. They make terrible investments because they convince themselves they "just know" something will pay off. They destroy relationships because they refuse to listen, to compromise, to accept that maybe—just maybe—they don’t always have the best perspective.

Cognitive bias creeps into every corner of life. Confirmation bias, for example, keeps you locked in a feedback loop, only seeking out information that reinforces what you already believe. It’s the reason people get trapped in ideological bubbles, why they refuse to consider opposing viewpoints, and why they’re so easily manipulated by media and politicians. If all you ever consume are sources that confirm what you already think, you’re not informed—you’re indoctrinated.

It’s the same with belief perseverance, the tendency to cling to outdated ideas even when overwhelming evidence proves them wrong. This is why conspiracy theories thrive. Once someone buys into one, their brain works overtime to defend it. The more they invest in a belief, the harder it becomes to let go. It’s why people refuse to accept when they’ve been lied to, even when the facts are staring them in the face.

And let’s talk about anchoring bias—the trap of letting the first piece of information you receive dictate everything else. If the first price you hear for a used car is $20,000, everything under that suddenly seems like a deal—even if it’s still overpriced. This happens in negotiations, salary discussions, and even major financial decisions. Smart people don’t just make choices; they re-evaluate them. If you’re not constantly reassessing, you’re probably getting ripped off.

Even your relationships aren’t immune. Stubborn thinking makes people impossible to talk to. It makes them defensive, dismissive, and unwilling to engage in real discussions. Have you ever had an argument with someone who refused to budge, no matter how much logic you threw at them? Now, be honest—have you ever been that person?

Nobody enjoys being around someone who always needs to be right. People are drawn to those who are open, curious, and willing to listen. Rigidity pushes people away.

Breaking Free from Mental Traps

The good news? You don’t have to be a prisoner of your own mind. Bias is powerful, but it’s not invincible. The first step is recognizing when you’re reacting emotionally rather than rationally. The next time you hear something that makes you mad, stop and ask yourself, "Am I upset because this is wrong, or because it challenges what I believe?" That moment of self-awareness is where change starts.

A critical second step is actively seeking out information that contradicts your beliefs. If you only engage with sources that confirm what you already think, you’re living in an echo chamber. Read opposing viewpoints. Talk to people who think differently. You don’t have to agree with them, but you do have to listen. If your ideas are strong, they’ll hold up to scrutiny. If they aren’t, maybe it’s time to adjust them.

Bias thrives on snap judgments, so slowing down your thinking is another way to break free. Before forming an opinion, take a breath. Ask yourself, "What’s the evidence? Is there another way to interpret this?" The more you train yourself to pause and reflect, the more control you regain over your decisions.

Who you surround yourself with also matters. If everyone in your circle thinks the same way, you’re in an echo chamber. The best minds don’t gather "yes-men"—they surround themselves with people who challenge them.

And finally, understand that changing your mind is not weakness. The strongest, most successful people are those who recognize when the world has changed and adapt with it. Clinging to an outdated belief because your ego won’t let it go doesn’t make you principled—it makes you foolish.

Do You Want to Be Right, or Do You Want to Win?

Stubborn thinking doesn’t make you stronger. It makes you easier to manipulate, easier to deceive, and easier to leave behind. When you let go of rigid thinking, your world expands. Your relationships improve because you actually listen instead of just waiting for your turn to talk. Your decision-making sharpens because you’re evaluating evidence instead of reacting on impulse. And on a larger scale? You stop being a pawn in someone else’s game.

History’s greatest thinkers weren’t the ones who clung to old ideas. They were the ones who dared to change their minds.

So next time you feel yourself resisting new information, take a breath. Ask yourself: "Is this about facts, or is this about my ego?"

You might just surprise yourself.

About the Author

Robert Jennings is the co-publisher of InnerSelf.com, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering a more connected, equitable world. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, Robert draws on his diverse life experiences, from working in real estate and construction to building InnerSelf with his wife, Marie T. Russell, to bring a practical, grounded perspective to life’s challenges. Founded in 1996, InnerSelf.com shares insights to help people make informed, meaningful choices for themselves and the planet. More than 30 years later, InnerSelf continues to inspire clarity and empowerment.

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This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License. Attribute the author Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com. Link back to the article This article originally appeared on InnerSelf.com

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Article Recap

Cognitive bias fuels stubborn thinking, keeping us stuck in outdated beliefs. But by recognizing our biases, seeking out diverse perspectives, and embracing intellectual flexibility, we can improve our decision-making, relationships, and overall quality of life. The key? Be willing to change your mind—because growth starts where certainty ends.

#CognitiveBias #StubbornThinking #OpenMindedness #DecisionMaking #PersonalGrowth