What’s the problem with certainty?

While being sure of something might sound good in the moment because you feel confident about a belief or idea, it can also be limiting.

The problem of always being certain is that it limits the room for growth or further understanding. This applies not only to ideas about circumstances or situations but also to other people. If being certain is beginning to sound like a fixed mindset, it’s because it is.

Why does being certain feel good?

Because it removes ambiguity and doubt.

It gives you the feeling of footing on solid ground. But sometimes, that solid ground might be a mirage, and you could just be mired in quicksand.

One way to avoid the trap of certainty is by allowing yourself to view an idea from multiple perspectives. This, of course, requires you to have a degree of openness to different or new beliefs. Doing so can be difficult, especially if you’re so rooted in your identity that you’ve left no room for change.

You see, to adopt a new belief or idea, you must admit you might have been mistaken and leave behind a part of you as you adopt a new point of view. This can be a painful process. But it can also be liberating.

Now, to be clear. I’m not suggesting you never be certain and continuously waver between beliefs and ideas. What I am recommending is that you be open to changing your mind. Perhaps the economist John Maynard Keynes said most succinctly, “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?”

So, the next time you find yourself challenged with a new belief or idea that threatens your certainty, take a step back and introspect on why you’re so sure of your position. Open yourself up to the possibility your thinking might be mistaken or outdated. Step away from the confines of your certainty and allow yourself to grow.

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