Let’s talk about something your brain does without you even realizing it: it’s called confirmation bias. It’s a fancy way of saying that we tend to notice things that back up what we already believe—and we ignore the rest.

I’ll explain more in a minute, but you might be asking yourself, “Why does this matter?” Because whether you’re at work, at home, or just going about your day, confirmation bias is shaping how you see the world and the decisions you make.

Think about it—have you ever been absolutely sure a client was going to be difficult? And didn’t it seem like every email they sent just proved you right? What if you’d already decided they were helpful instead? Would you have noticed something completely different?

The truth is that our brains are wired to focus on what we expect to find. But what happens when those expectations don’t reflect the whole picture?

What if the way you see a coworker, a project, or even yourself isn’t the full picture? What if your brain is just hunting for proof that what you believe is true—even when it’s not helping you?

This isn’t about being wrong or right; it’s about what we focus on and why. Our brains like to stick to familiar beliefs, even when they hold us back.

For example, have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m just not good at this,” and then finding endless proof to back it up? Why is it so much easier to confirm a negative thought than to challenge it?

The truth is, confirmation bias is something all of us deal with. I’ll explain more about this later, but it’s a built-in feature of the human brain—one that’s trying to keep things simple and efficient.

But here’s the thing: what if you could use that same mental habit to your advantage? What if you could train your brain to confirm empowering beliefs instead of limiting ones?

It’s a fascinating idea, isn’t it? The way we think shapes what we see, and what we see shapes what we believe. But how often do we stop to ask, “Is this belief actually helping me?”

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thinking or wondered why certain patterns keep showing up, you’re not alone. The good news is that once you understand how confirmation bias works, you can start to notice it—and even change it.

Are you curious yet? Understanding confirmation bias starts with knowing exactly what it is and why our brains love it so much.

What Exactly Is Confirmation Bias?

Let’s get into a little more about what confirmation bias is.  Confirmation bias is like having a built-in spotlight in your brain. Whatever you already believe, your brain shines that light on anything that matches it—and leaves everything else in the dark.

It’s not something we do on purpose; it’s more like a reflex. The brain loves patterns, and it feels good when we find things that fit the ones we already know.

For example, if you believe you’re bad at meeting deadlines, your brain will zoom in on every time you’re late. But it will also conveniently overlook all the times you finished early or right on time.

This habit of the brain isn’t about being good or bad—it’s about being efficient. If you’ve thought something for a long time, your brain assumes it’s important and keeps proving it to you.

But here’s the tricky part: your brain doesn’t check if the belief is helping or hurting you. It just keeps looking for proof, no matter what.

Think about how this plays out in daily life. If you believe someone is unreliable, your brain will zoom in on every mistake they make, just like it overlooks your own successes when you believe you’re bad at something. 

It’s not the world that’s changing—it’s what your brain decides to focus on. That’s confirmation bias in action.

This isn’t just about how we see other people; it’s also about how we see ourselves. Your brain loves to reinforce the stories you’ve been telling yourself for years, even if they’re holding you back.

The funny thing is, we don’t even realize it’s happening most of the time. It feels like we’re just observing facts, but really, we’re seeing a filtered version of reality.

Understanding confirmation bias isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about noticing the stories your brain is telling and asking, “What else might be true?”

Once you understand confirmation bias, you’ll start noticing how it shows up everywhere. And for accountants, it’s especially important to recognize because precision and objectivity are key to the work we do.

Why Confirmation Bias Matters for Accountants

So why am I talking about this on a podcast for accountants?  Because in accounting, precision and objectivity are non-negotiable. But confirmation bias doesn’t care about those rules—it’s always working in the background, influencing how you think and what you notice.

When you’ve already decided something is true, your brain focuses on evidence that supports it, even if it’s not the most accurate conclusion. 

Imagine reviewing a client’s records while convinced they’re careless with their finances. Every mistake you find will seem to confirm that belief, even if the majority of their records are perfectly fine.

Confirmation bias also shows up when we evaluate our own performance. If you believe you’re “terrible at delegating,” you’ll focus on every time something went wrong after you handed it off. Meanwhile, the times you delegated successfully will quietly fade into the background.

I see this all the time with my Smarter Accountant Time Management coaching clients.  They have a difficult time delegating because they’ve had a few issues in the past and their brain just wants to focus on them, resisting the idea that delegation can work.

And what about decision-making? Whether it’s choosing a software solution, creating a financial strategy, or advising a client, confirmation bias can steer you toward the conclusion you want instead of the one that’s most accurate. Even when you’re staring at conflicting data, your brain has a way of making the preferred outcome feel like the only right choice.

It doesn’t stop there. In team dynamics, confirmation bias can build walls where there could be bridges. If you’ve decided a coworker is difficult, every interaction becomes “proof” of that belief, while their positive efforts get overlooked. Over time, it becomes harder to see them any other way.

The real problem isn’t that our brains do this—it’s that we rarely notice it happening. Confirmation bias is sneaky.  It works quietly, shaping our thoughts, decisions, and even our relationships without us realizing it.

In a profession like accounting, where small assumptions can lead to big consequences, learning to spot confirmation bias isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. It’s the key to seeing situations clearly, making better decisions, and improving how you work with clients and colleagues.

Spotting confirmation bias in your work is one thing, but understanding why your brain works this way takes it to a whole new level. Let’s dig into the science behind it so you can see how your mind shapes what you notice—and what you don’t.

The Brain Science Behind Confirmation Bias

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science with accounting, let’s talk about the brain science behind confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias isn’t just a bad habit—it’s rooted in how our brains are designed to work. The brain is constantly sorting through information, deciding what’s important and what can be ignored. This isn’t random; again, it’s all about efficiency.

Your brain wants to save energy, so it sticks to what it already knows. If you’ve been thinking a certain way for years, your brain considers that thought a well-worn path. It’s easier to keep walking down that familiar road than to start carving out a new one.

Here’s another thing your brain does: it loves being right. Every time it finds evidence to support your belief—whether it’s “I’m bad at presenting” or “That client is always late”—it gives you a little reward in the form of a feel-good chemical called dopamine. 

That’s why it feels satisfying to be “proven right,” even when the belief isn’t helping you.

But being right isn’t always a good thing. The same mechanism that makes your brain confirm positive beliefs can also reinforce negative ones. If you believe “I’m overwhelmed and there’s never enough time,” your brain will focus on every stressful moment to keep that story alive.

Then there’s the brain’s fear of change. To your brain, a new belief feels risky. It’s like stepping into unfamiliar territory, and the brain doesn’t like that—it sees uncertainty as a potential threat. This is why changing how you think about something often feels uncomfortable or even scary.

On top of that, our brains are wired to prioritize speed over accuracy. The part of your brain responsible for quick decisions, the Toddler Brain, loves shortcuts. It grabs onto whatever aligns with what you already believe and skips the hard work of considering other perspectives.

This process might have been helpful when our ancestors needed to make snap decisions to survive. But in the modern world, especially in accounting, it can cause more harm than good. It can lead to missed opportunities, flawed decisions, and strained relationships.

The good news is that the higher part of your brain—the Supervising Parent—can override this instinct. This part of the brain is where logic and intentional thinking happen. When you slow down and question your beliefs, you give this part of your brain a chance to step in and take the lead.

The bottom line is that understanding the science behind confirmation bias is empowering because it puts you back in control. Now, let’s look at how you can take this natural tendency and turn it into a tool for growth.

How to Turn Confirmation Bias Into an Advantage

Now that you know that confirmation bias is always running in the background, why not flip it around and make it work for you instead of against you? That same habit of focusing on what you already believe can actually help you get the results you want—if you point it in the right direction.

Start by paying attention to the stories you’re telling yourself. Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’m too disorganized to handle this,” or “That client never listens to me”? Once you notice those thoughts, ask yourself: are they helping you or just holding you back?

Then try asking better questions. Instead of thinking, “Why is this client so difficult?” what if you asked, “What’s one way they’ve been helpful lately?” Your brain loves answering questions, so give it something better to work with—it’ll start finding answers you didn’t expect.

Another thing that helps is looking for evidence that challenges your negative beliefs. Let’s say you’ve convinced yourself, “I’m terrible with technology.” Start paying attention to moments when you actually figured something out, no matter how small. Those little wins add up and can start shifting how you see yourself.

And here’s a big one: reframing. If you’re thinking, “I can’t handle this busy season,” try flipping it to, “This is my chance to practice staying calm under pressure.” When you do that, your brain will start looking for proof that the new thought is true—and it will find it.

It’s also really helpful to have someone who can give you honest, constructive feedback. Whether it’s a mentor, coach, or a trusted colleague, having someone who can help you see things from a different perspective can make all the difference.

Finally, focus on building positive beliefs on purpose. If you decide, “I’m great at solving problems under pressure,” your brain will start noticing all the ways that’s true. The more you reinforce those beliefs, the stronger they’ll become.

You can’t just turn off confirmation bias—it’s always going to be there. But you can guide it.

When you’re intentional about what you want to believe and actively look for proof to back it up, you can turn this natural habit into a powerful tool. Instead of keeping you stuck, it can help you grow in ways you didn’t think were possible.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Dealing With Confirmation Bias As An Accountant

One of my coaching clients came to me feeling completely stuck. She believed she was terrible at managing her time and was convinced that no matter what she tried, she’d always be behind on her work. Every time she missed a deadline or felt overwhelmed, it became “proof” that she wasn’t cut out for her role.

During one of our sessions, I introduced her to the idea of confirmation bias. At first, she was skeptical—she was sure her thoughts about herself were just facts. But I asked her to try a simple exercise: look for moments, no matter how small, where she handled her time well.

At first, she struggled. But then she started noticing little wins, like finishing a client’s report a day early or organizing her inbox in less time than expected. Slowly, she began to see that her belief wasn’t the full story.

Over the next few weeks, she started reframing her thoughts. Instead of telling herself, “I’m always behind,” she shifted to, “I can figure out how to manage this.” Her brain began to find evidence for this new belief, and her confidence grew.

By the end of our work together, she wasn’t just managing her time better—she felt more in control and capable. She told me that for the first time in years, she didn’t dread busy season. 

Her old belief had held her back, but once she understood how her brain worked, she was able to turn it into her biggest advantage.

Now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that confirmation bias is always at work, shaping how you see the world and yourself. The good news is, with a little awareness, you can turn it from a stumbling block into a stepping stone for growth and success.

For this week, ask yourself, “What am I focusing on, and is it actually helping me?”  This question cuts straight to the heart of how confirmation bias works. 

Paying attention to your thoughts can reveal beliefs that hold you back. Once you see them, you can choose to focus on ones that move you forward.

It’s like taking the reins and deciding how you want your mind to see things—it’s such a game-changer!

The bottom line is that you can’t stop your brain from looking for evidence to support your beliefs, but you can decide what beliefs you want it to focus on. When you intentionally guide your thoughts, confirmation bias becomes a tool to reinforce your growth, confidence, and success. 

So, start paying attention to where your mental spotlight is aimed—it might just change everything.

Well, that’s what I have for you today. Thank you for joining me as I explained confirmation bias and how it shapes your work as an accountant. I hope you’re walking away with some awareness that might change how you manage your career and your life.

As I always say, you’ve worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

If you’d like to discuss how to better manage your time or anything you’re currently struggling with, you can schedule a free 30-minute call with me at  https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar/. 

And don’t forget to check back each week for more tips and strategies to help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Also, if you haven’t already, make sure to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com to see if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain. It’s a great starting point to see where you are and how you can improve.

Lastly, if you’ve found today’s episode helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could spread the word to other accountants. The more we get this message out, the more we can change the narrative in the accounting profession and help accountants everywhere.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.