[Dan Millman]: The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination.
– Peaceful Warrior (2006)
Life is full of unpredictable twists and turns, and it’s inevitable that we will encounter setbacks and disappointments along the way.
Besides, we have a tendency to overestimate the emotional impact of future events, both positive and negative. Our capacity to forecast our emotional reactions to future circumstances is flawed and influenced by cognitive biases.
In this article, I’ll share what’s the impact bias, and how we can adopt a more realistic perspective on how certain experiences or achievements will truly impact our overall well-being.
What’s The Impact Bias
The impact bias is a cognitive bias that influences our ability to accurately predict the emotional impact of future events. It refers to our tendency to overestimate the intensity and duration of our emotional reactions to both positive and negative events.
This bias often leads us to make flawed assumptions about how certain outcomes will affect our happiness and well-being.
How Can The Impact Bias Manifest
1. Exaggerated Emotional Responses
When we anticipate an upcoming event, such as a promotion or a vacation, we tend to imagine the positive emotions associated with it in an amplified manner. We believe that achieving or experiencing something will bring us more joy or satisfaction than it actually does in reality.
Let me give you an example:
Imagine you have been eagerly anticipating a vacation to Costa Rica. You envision it as the ultimate source of relaxation and joy.
However, upon arrival, you encounter unexpected rainy weather for a few days.
Despite the initial disappointment, you find that you can still enjoy indoor activities, explore local culture, and spend quality time with your loved ones. In retrospect, you realize that while the weather affected your plans, it didn’t significantly diminish your overall happiness during the trip.
2. Failure to Consider Adaptation
The impact bias often stems from a failure to consider our innate ability to adapt to new circumstances. We tend to underestimate our psychological resilience and our capacity to return to our baseline level of happiness even after significant life changes, whether positive or negative.
For instance, suppose you receive a promotion at work, a significant achievement you have been working towards for years. You envision the promotion bringing immense happiness and fulfillment in your professional life. However, over time, you adapt to the increased responsibilities and the new role becomes the norm. While the promotion initially brought a sense of accomplishment, its long-term impact on your overall happiness may not be as significant as you initially anticipated.
3. Focusing on the Peak Moments
The impact bias tends to make us focus on the peak moments of an experience, whether positive or negative, and neglect the overall duration or average level of happiness associated with it. This leads us to misjudge the true impact of an event on our well-being.
Consider attending a much-anticipated music concert by your favorite band. You build up high expectations and envision the entire event being filled with euphoria and excitement. While the concert indeed has exhilarating moments, such as when the band performs their most popular song, you may overlook the periods of waiting, crowd congestion, or other less thrilling aspects of the experience. In retrospect, you might realize that the peak moments were memorable, but the overall event had its ups and downs.
4. Neglecting Other Factors
The impact bias often leads us to overlook the influence of other factors on our happiness. We may attribute our future happiness solely to a particular event or outcome, ignoring the role of our individual disposition, relationships, and other external circumstances.
You purchase your dream car, believing it will bring you immense happiness and elevate your social status. However, you may neglect to consider other factors that contribute to your overall well-being, such as your relationships, personal growth, or work satisfaction. Over time, you may realize that while the car provides temporary excitement, it doesn’t have a significant impact on your long-term happiness compared to other aspects of your life.
Stumbling On Happiness
“People want to be happy, and all the other things they want are typically meant to be a means to that end.”
– Daniel Gilbert, Stumbling on happiness
How To Overcome The Impact Bias: Strategies
Understanding the impact bias is important because it helps us recognize the limitations of our predictions and expectations about future events. By acknowledging this bias, we can adopt a more realistic perspective on how certain experiences or achievements will truly impact our overall well-being. Here are some strategies to overcome the impact bias:
1) Mindful Reflection
Take time to reflect on experiences and how they have influenced your happiness. Consider instances where you may have overestimated the impact of certain events. This reflection can help you gain insight into your own biases and tendencies.
2) Examining Long-Term Effects
When anticipating future events, try to consider the potential long-term effects beyond the initial excitement or disappointment. Consider how you might adapt to the new circumstances and whether the event will have a lasting impact on your overall happiness.
3) Focus on Present-Moment Joy To Overcome The Impact Bias
Instead of solely relying on future events for happiness, cultivate an appreciation for the present moment. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment in the here and now, rather than constantly chasing future goals or outcomes.
4) Practice Gratitude and Contentment
Cultivating gratitude for what you currently have and finding contentment in everyday experiences can help counteract the impact bias. By focusing on the positives in your life, you can develop a more balanced and realistic perspective on happiness.
Related content: How cultivating thankfulness can transform your life
Conclusion
By integrating these strategies into your life, you can navigate the impact bias, and cultivate a deeper sense of happiness and fulfillment.
Remember that true happiness is a journey, and by being mindful, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing present-moment joy, you can find happiness regardless of the impact bias.