Finding Truth And Pink Volkswagon Beetles
How much time or effort do you spend finding truth? Is truth really about facts or is it more about belief?
In religion, many people insist that they are stating facts, yet they actually may be stating beliefs.
Scientific research is sometimes based on belief. You might examine it statistically. Is it a null hypothesis? Could it be true?
We often struggle for truth or facts. Many turn to the internet for answers.
Is Wikipedia a valid source? What about YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter? Who decides?
In a general sense, each individual decides. Does belief make it real?
Finding Truth
There is an old story that suggests you find what you look for.
You might have heard the story connected to pink Volkswagon Beetles. Very low production numbers suggest that not many people have seen a pink Volkswagon Beetle but yet if you start watching for one, it may appear.
In the workplace, we might turn to data. Where does the data come from?
If we see it with our own eyes, if we experience it, is it real, valid, and true?
Daniel Simons, and Christopher Chabris, tested our seeing is believing in 1999 with the students passing the basketball test. If you have experienced this test on selective attention, you will realize that seeing may be believing although it may not be the truth.
What is the truth?
The truth may very well be what you believe.
For your job, your career, or your business endeavor, the first and perhaps most important step is believing.
Belief often creates truth.
Or so it seems.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
