Fortitude Fridays #32

read time: 6 mins

A few ideas as you head into the weekend.

Today at a Glance:

• Quote: The Tide Will Turn.
• Question: Avoidance.
• Podcast: Frozen Alive in Norway.
• Framework: Survivorship Bias.

 

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Quote to Ponder:

"When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn’t hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that’s just the place and time that the tide will turn."

-Harriet Beecher Stowe (American Writer & Abolitionist)

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During life's most challenging moments, it's essential not to give up because it's often in those times of despair that unforeseen opportunities arise, showcasing our inner strength and resilience.

​The tide always rises after it falls. Hold on.

 

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Question to Ask Yourself:

What am I avoiding because it is too painful to address?

Our brains are hardwired to avoid pain. Avoiding pain is essential for human and animal survival, as it acts as a critical warning system, prompting rapid responses to reduce or eliminate discomfort.

However, it's crucial to understand that while our brains are naturally wired to avoid pain, this avoidance mechanism isn't always beneficial. Sometimes, facing discomfort is necessary for growth, recovery, or medical treatment. Balancing avoidance with necessary challenges is vital.

We often avoid painful issues for several reasons, including emotional distress, fear of vulnerability, past traumas, and uncertainty. Negative consequences, self-preservation, and a lack of coping skills also drive avoidance. Additionally, denial is a common response. Although avoidance offers temporary relief, it can lead to long-term problems.

You are not alone; we all do this.

Take a moment to reflect on the distressing issues you've been avoiding, the important discussions you've been postponing, the emotions you've been suppressing, the challenges you've been ignoring, or the positive changes you've been delaying. Confronting your pain, seeking support, and developing healthy coping strategies are essential for personal growth and lasting healing. Above all, self-awareness serves as the crucial first step in addressing these matters you've been evading.

Keep in mind the wisdom of Seneca:

"We suffer more in imagination than in reality."

Challenge whether the pain you anticipate is genuinely as severe as you believe, and consider whether addressing it now will bring you future peace.

Remember: Easy now, hard later. Or hard now, easy later.

The choice is yours.

 

​My Answer: Recently, I mustered the courage to have a long-postponed and dreaded conversation with close family. I feared their anger and devastation, but to my surprise, it went remarkably well. I had unnecessarily stressed myself by anticipating a negative outcome for months. Ugh.

 

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Podcast to Check Out:

National Park After Dark Episode 100: Frozen Alive in the Scandinavian Mountains

I was recommended the National Park After Dark Podcast this past spring, and as someone who loves all things related to the outdoors, national parks, unsolved mysteries, and has a bit of a morbid curiosity, I was instantly hooked.

Hosted by friends Danielle and Cassie, the podcast explores captivating national park stories worldwide, covering themes such as history, true crime, hauntings, survival, and unsolved mysteries, while also offering valuable lessons and positive takeaways..

As their tag line says:

"Enjoy the view, but watch your back."

However, this particular episode stayed with me for days. It's a story of remarkable events, survival, unwavering determination, and how it forever changed the way medical professionals treat hypothermia.

In 1999 Anna Bågenholm was backcountry skiing with friends in Norway, when suddenly she found herself trapped under ice for 80 minutes in freezing water. By the time she was finally rescued, she appeared eerily pale, with no discernible pulse or breath, and her body temperature had dropped to 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Her story is an incredible example of surviving extreme conditions against all odds.

You can listen to this episode on Spotify here or on Apple Podcasts here. Hope you enjoy it!

 

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Framework to Understand: Survivorship Bias

What is Survivorship Bias?

Survivorship bias is a cognitive bias that occurs when we focus on the successes or survivors while ignoring the failures or non-survivors. It's like watching the highlight reel of someone's life and thinking that's the whole story. This can lead to skewed perceptions and poor decision-making.

Imagine you're in a forest, and you want to know which animals are most common. If you only look at the animals that you see walking around, like squirrels and rabbits, you might think these are the most common creatures. However, you're forgetting all the animals that are hidden, like insects, underground-dwelling animals, and birds high in the trees. Survivorship bias is like this. You are focused on what's visible and not considering what's hidden or has failed.

A Brief History:

Survivorship bias is a cognitive bias that gained recognition during World War II when the U.S. military analyzed damage to returning aircraft. Initially, they focused on reinforcing the areas that were hit the most, assuming those were the most critical. However, the statistician Abraham Wald pointed out that they were only considering the surviving aircraft. They should focus on the non-survivors, whose damage locations led to their demise. This realization led to a significant shift in strategy, saving countless lives.

This hypothetical pattern of damage of surviving aircraft shows locations where they can sustain damage and still return home. If the aircraft was reinforced in the most commonly hit areas, this would be a result of survivorship bias because crucial data from fatally damaged planes was being ignored; those hit in other places did not survive. Source: Wikipedia

How Survivorship Bias Impacts Us:

This bias affects us by making us believe that success is more common and straightforward than it actually is. We tend to underestimate the role of luck and challenges in achieving success. It can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when we encounter setbacks.

Understanding the Survivorship Bias Framework can significantly contribute to living happier and healthier lives by fostering a more realistic, resilient, and growth-oriented mindset.

Here's How:

1. Realistic Expectations: Recognizing the Survivorship Bias helps you set more realistic expectations. Understanding that success is not always a linear journey and that challenges are a natural part of life can alleviate the pressure to be constantly successful and reduce the impact of stress and anxiety.
2. Resilience and Adaptability:When we grasp the Survivorship Bias we are better equipped to handle setbacks and failures. We can view these experiences as opportunities for growth rather than as insurmountable obstacles. This resilience and adaptability are essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
3. Improved Decision-Making: Understanding this bias encourages us to make more informed and well-rounded decisions. We are less likely to chase shortcuts or follow trends blindly. Instead, we can analyze both successes and failures, leading to more thoughtful and balanced choices.
4. Continuous Learning: Embracing the lessons from failures as well as successes fosters a mindset of continuous learning. This lifelong learning approach not only supports personal and professional growth but also enhances cognitive health and self-esteem.
5. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: By appreciating that success is not always easy, we can lower our stress and anxiety levels. Realizing that it's normal to encounter difficulties and that setbacks do not define our worth.
6. Better Relationships: Understanding Survivorship Bias can also apply to personal relationships. It encourages us to appreciate the ups and downs in their connections with others, leading to more realistic and healthier relationships.
7. Enhanced Physical Health: Reduced stress and anxiety, along with better decision-making and adaptability, can positively affect physical health. Lower stress levels have a direct impact on heart health, immunity, and overall vitality.
8. Increased Life Satisfaction: The ability to learn from both successes and failures, and the resilience to bounce back from adversity, ultimately contribute to a higher sense of life satisfaction and well-being.

Bringing it Home:

The key takeaway of Survivorship Bias is the importance of recognizing that success stories, or those who "survive" and thrive, provide only a partial view of reality. To live a happier and healthier life, it's crucial to acknowledge this bias. By doing so, you can appreciate that there's more to the story than just the highlight reel of success. This, in turn, helps reduce stress, make more informed decisions, and enhances your overall well-being. You're better prepared to handle setbacks, navigate relationships, and improve your physical and mental health.

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Thanks for reading and I hope you have a cozy weekend! Until next week...

You got this,