Challenge every assumption by arguing against your own case

In your mind, it’s natural to champion your favorite option, but have you ever wondered how it might fall apart? Picture this: you’ve decided to overhaul your home’s lighting to save energy. You’re sure it’s a brilliant plan. Then, the ‘devil’s advocate’ you adopted pipes up: “What if the new fixtures cost more to install than you save? What if the wiring isn’t compatible? What if downstairs guests trip over dim passages?” Suddenly, you sense those uneasy gnawing doubts you’d ignored. By actively arguing against your own case—listing three reasons your plan could fail—you’ve given those objections a voice rather than burying them. You breathe through the discomfort, noticing how your pulse calms when you jot down practical fixes. That gentle shift, from uncritical cheerleading to balanced scrutiny, makes all your decisions sturdier. It taps into decades of research on the confirmation bias, showing that generating counterarguments is one of the most reliable ways to protect yourself from self-delusion.

Next time you feel certain you’ve discovered the best path, assign one minute to list why it might flop. Invite a colleague to play devil’s advocate on the spot. Jot those objections on sticky notes and attach a one-line response to each—‘Test X first,’ ‘Check compatibility,’ or ‘Budget a 10% overrun.’ By turning your choice into a mini-debate, you’ll calm anxiety and bullet-proof your plans. Try it before your next big call.