Top 5 Cognitive Distortions For Women In Business And How To Overcome Them
- Oct 9, 2023
- 5 min read
Written by: Andrea Hunt, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We as women have come a long way in the business world in 2023 and yet, many female entrepreneurs and professionals can have certain cognitive distortions that can create confidence blocks that make us feel disempowered in our jobs. Cognitive distortions, also known as ‘unhelpful thinking styles’ are the patterns of thinking that can lead to certain beliefs, fears, and negative perceptions about ourselves, others, and the world around us. But these emotional blocks don’t need to stop us – by being aware of them and challenging them we can improve our decision-making abilities, improve problem-solving skills, and overcome the negative impact so we can feel more confident. Read on to learn how to identify them and move past them…
Common Cognitive Distortions For Women In Business
Cognitive distortions can create a perception of reality that is not accurate or objective. And since we often show up based on how we perceive situations, it’s important to recognize when we might be experiencing cognitive distortions that make us doubt ourselves and our abilities. In fact, one of the most common cognitive distortions known as imposter syndrome affects female professionals in the workplace at a rate of 72% compared to 62% of men. Interestingly, many women who experience imposter syndrome are successful, high achievers. Even Michelle Obama and Shakira said they’ve felt it as well!
So let’s take a look at 5 common cognitive distortions:
1. Feeling like a fraud
Imposter Syndrome: when we tend to feel like a fraud and assume that everyone is going to find out we’re not as great as we are trying to pretend. In a business context, imposter syndrome causes us to feel unworthy of our successes and move the goalposts so that we never feel deserving of achievements. Unfortunately, this results in us assuming we can never make mistakes, that everyone else knows more than we do, and that everyone else is better than we are.
We might always feel stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, not seeking help when we need it out of shame or guilt.
2. Projecting the worst-case scenario
Negative event outcome bias: when we tend to assume the worst-case scenario and overestimate the likelihood of negative outcomes. In a business context, projecting the ‘worst case scenario’ causes us to focus excessively on all the potential problems and failures while ignoring any potential positive outcomes.
Unsurprisingly, this results in a heightened sense of anxiety and caution, making it difficult for us to feel confident and make well-informed decisions.
We might feel discouraged from taking risks that could be potentially helpful in our careers or businesses. The fear of negative outcomes can cause us to stay in our comfort zones.
3. Black or white thinking
Polarized thinking: when we tend to perceive everything as black or white, all or nothing, win or lose. In a business context, that means we see situations as either all good or all bad, with no room for shades of gray. In business settings, this distortion can lead to rigid and inflexible decision-making. Unfortunately, this leads us to discount potential solutions or opportunities because they’re not 100% ready and everything is 100% perfect and 100% in place. This can limit our ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and explore alternative paths.
We might focus only on negative feedback, discounting opportunities, or learning and growth, so we might not see the bigger picture of what we have achieved.
4. Mind reading
Mind reading: when we tend to assume we know what others are thinking, deciding, or feeling without any real evidence. In a business context, we might misread a colleague’s bad mood and take it personally by assuming they don’t like us when really there’s something going on in their personal life. Woefully, this leads to misunderstandings and assumptions that negatively affect effective communication. It greatly hinders our working relationships and team collaboration.
We might act more impulsively on how we feel and create narratives around what we think is happening instead of clarifying.
5. Taking all the blame
Personalization: when we tend to blame ourselves for things and take responsibility for things out of our control. In a business context, we might not meet targets while the market is unstable and then engage in negative self-talk by blaming ourselves and assuming it has something to do with us on a personal level. Unfortunately, this leads to lower self-esteem and chips away at our emotional resilience because everything feels like our fault.
We might ignore all positive attributions and only take on negative blame when in fact, we just can’t control everything we can only control our reaction. It’s important to remember our self-worth is not determined solely by our work.
How EFT tapping helps overcome cognitive distortion
So how do we best deal with these misperceptions? Through coaching and other approaches like EFT Tapping, it is possible to reframe negative thinking patterns and develop a more positive and realistic perception of ourselves and the business environment. Also known as the Emotional Freedom Technique, this powerful mind-body tool combines light tapping with the fingers on acupressure points on the face while articulating emotions to effectively address negative thinking patterns and adopt healthier ones.
It helps us to question and re-evaluate what we’re experiencing so we can take a step back and review the evidence of these beliefs and feelings. When we can challenge them, we are able to reframe them into new perceptions of empowerment instead of fear. For women in leadership positions, EFT tapping can help manage stress and anxiety, which are often triggered by these cognitive distortions. The technique has been scientifically shown to reduce cortisol levels to allow us to feel calm and grounded. This is undoubtedly beneficial for women in high-performing roles where lots of stress and pressure are commonplace.
Moreover, EFT tapping offers a DIY private, and accessible solution, allowing women to practice it on their own whenever they need it. It can be easily integrated into a daily routine, providing a practical and effective way to address feelings of confusion or overwhelm in real-time.
Conclusion
Overall, EFT tapping can be an invaluable tool to empower women in leadership positions to overcome cognitive distortions and the challenges that they bring. By becoming aware of these emotional blocks and utilizing the techniques brought about by working with a coach, women in business can regain control over their thoughts and emotions to gain a clearer perspective, fostering a healthier and more balanced mindset for success.
Want to work with me? Schedule a free discovery call here.
Andrea Hunt, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Andrea Hunt is an online transformational life coach & EFT Practitioner for expats and digital nomads. A US expat who's lived in 7 different countries, Andrea helps those who boldly took the road less traveled to thrive abroad with confidence. She understands the challenges of planning a move abroad, integrating into a new culture, finding new friends and social circles, rebuilding life after a job loss or breakup while living in another country. She helps you empower your mindset and erase your limiting beliefs to thrive.
