When it comes to personal growth and coaching, understanding how our brains handle information is really important. Our perception of reality isn’t just about what's out there; it's also about how our minds interpret and filter everything we take in. It is estimated that our brains are presented with over 4 million pieces of information a second. If we processed all of this information, our heads would probably explode! So our internal filters kick to make information more easiliy mangeable Let's look at the three key ways our brains manage information: deletion, distortion, generalisation, and see how they shape our view of the world.
Deletion: The Stuff We Miss
Deletion is our brain’s way of ignoring or skipping over certain information. This is essential because our senses are constantly bombarded with data. If we tried to process it all, our brains would be overwhelmed. Imagine you’re chatting with a friend in a busy cafe. Your brain tunes out the background noise so you can focus on the conversation. While this helps us concentrate, it also means we can miss important details. Have you ever bought a car and then suddenly see loads of the same car wherever you go. They were always there, your brain just chose to delete this information as it wasn't important.
In coaching, it’s crucial to understand that clients might be unconsciously ignoring information that could be key to their growth. By asking the right questions, coaches can help clients become more aware of what they might be missing.
Distortion: The Lens We Look Through
Distortion happens when our brains twist or reshape information to fit our existing beliefs and experiences. This usually happens without us even realising it. For instance, if someone believes they're not good enough, they might see a neutral comment from a colleague as criticism.
Distortion can lead to a skewed view of events, affecting how we feel and the decisions we make. It’s tied to cognitive biases like confirmation bias, where we focus on information that supports our preconceptions and ignore what doesn’t.
Coaches can help clients spot and challenge these distorted thinking patterns. By using techniques like cognitive restructuring, clients can learn to see things more clearly and accurately.
Generalisation: The Broad View
Generalisation is when our brains take specific experiences and apply them broadly. This can be helpful for learning and efficiency. For example, if you learn that touching a hot saucepan burns you, you’ll avoid touching any hot saucepans. But generalisation can also create limiting beliefs and stereotypes. If someone fails at one thing, they might believe they’ll fail at everything. Or, if they have a few bad experiences with a particular group, they might assume all interactions with that group will be negative.
In coaching, it’s important to tackle these overgeneralisations. By looking at specific experiences and reframing them, clients can break free from limiting beliefs and see things more clearly.
The Role of Internal Filters
Our internal filters—made up of our beliefs, values, memories, language, and emotions—shape how deletion, distortion, and generalisation work. These filters determine what we notice, how we interpret it, and the conclusions we draw. Understanding and adjusting these filters is key to personal development.
When clients become aware of their internal filters, they can see how these filters influence their perceptions and actions. Coaches can guide clients in refining these filters to create more empowering and accurate views of the world.
Wrapping Up
Understanding deletion, distortion, and generalisation gives us insight into how our brains filter reality. In coaching, this awareness helps both coaches and clients navigate these filters, leading to personal growth and better problem-solving.
By helping clients become mindful of these processes and question their perceptions, coaches can foster transformative changes. As clients learn to see beyond their automatic filters, they can unlock new possibilities and create more fulfilling lives.
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