Fortune Telling

What is Fortune Telling #

Fortune Telling, also known as crystal ball thinking or predictive thinking, refers to the habit of making negative predictions about future events without sufficient evidence. It involves assuming that things will inevitably turn out badly, jumping to conclusions, and disregarding other possible outcomes. When engaging in Fortune Telling, individuals believe their predictions are accurate, even though they lack the necessary information to make such claims. This cognitive distortion can lead to unnecessary worry, anxiety, and self-fulfilling prophecies.

Example Scenarios #

To better understand Fortune Telling, let’s consider a few scenarios that illustrate how this cognitive distortion can manifest in our thoughts:

1. Job Interview Jitters #

• Scenario: Alex has a job interview scheduled for next week. They think, “I know I’ll mess up the interview. I’ll stumble over my words, and they won’t hire me.”
• Explanation: In this scenario, Alex is engaging in Fortune Telling by predicting a negative outcome without any concrete evidence. They are assuming they will fail the interview based solely on their anxious thoughts, without considering their qualifications and the potential for a successful interview.

2. Social Gathering Anxiety #

• Scenario: Lisa receives an invitation to a party. She thinks, “I’ll probably feel awkward and out of place. Nobody will want to talk to me, and I’ll have a terrible time.”
• Explanation: Here, Lisa is falling into Fortune Telling by making negative predictions about her experience at the party. She assumes she will feel awkward and unwanted, despite lacking any evidence or past experiences to support this belief.

3. Academic Performance #

• Scenario: Sarah has an upcoming exam. She thinks, “I’ll definitely fail the test. I’m just not smart enough, and I’ll never succeed in this subject.”
• Explanation: In this case, Sarah’s Fortune Telling leads her to predict failure without any substantial evidence. She dismisses the possibility of studying effectively, seeking help if needed, or improving her understanding of the subject.

Identifying Fortune Telling #

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if your thoughts may be distorted by Fortune Telling:

1. Am I assuming a negative outcome without any concrete evidence?
2. Have I considered alternative possibilities or focused solely on the worst-case scenario?
3. Is my prediction based on facts or more on my fears and anxieties?
4. Have similar predictions I made in the past turned out to be inaccurate?
5. What would be a more balanced and realistic way to approach this situation?

By reflecting on these questions, you can start to recognize when you might be engaging in Fortune Telling and challenge those thoughts to adopt a more balanced and realistic perspective.