Introduction

You know how sometimes you do something really dumb and go "What the hell was I thinking?" Yeah, those facepalm moments. Well, this book is all about calling out those mental hiccups, as Rolf Dobelli calls them, that lead us down an irrational path. Dobelli, who's a novelist by trade, got intrigued by all the weird ways our minds can trick us into thinking crazy thoughts or doing nonsensical things. So he started jotting down all these cognitive glitches that scientists have discovered over the years. Originally, it was just for his own use to try and be a bit more clear-headed in his personal and business life. But then people got wind of his handy list of mental pitfalls and talked him into turning it into a book. So, he translated all those intricate concepts and scientific research into plain language so regular people like you and me can identify when we're about to jump into an avoidable screw-up. And voila, this masterpiece was born!


This book's laying out all the mental pitfalls and cognitive biases we need to watch out for if we want to keep it together and think a bit more rationally and logically in our careers, investing, and personal lives. Dobelli is not saying we can become rationality robots or anything. The point is more about being able to recognize when we or others are falling under the spell of mental mistakes. With a little awareness, we can potentially make smarter decisions and avoid some self-induced stupidity and unhappiness.


Let’s get started to help you make better choices and avoid the pitfalls that trip us up every day.

Summary

Our brains aren't perfect decision-making machines. And they're not infallible! As you just saw, we're wired with a whole host of cognitive quirks that can lead us astray - from overestimating our abilities to falling for the herd mentality. But thankfully, awareness is half the battle. By understanding these mental pitfalls, we can catch ourselves in the act and make more clear-headed decisions. So next time you're faced with a tough choice, take a step back. Question your assumptions, consider alternative viewpoints, and remember - your first instinct might not always be your best bet. Here's to clearer thinking and smarter choices!

The act of overestimating ourselves, almost always

Let’s transport ourselves to good old school days. Do you remember getting a perfect 10 and crediting nobody and nothing around you but yourself for the success? And on certain bad days, had you performed poorly, then everyone and everything would be responsible for that crappy score but you. It’s no surprise; That’s what human nature is! Credit the success to our abilities, and failure to external factors. And hey! We’re not the only ones saying this. Research backs it...