Connect 4, A Little Girl & Changing Your Beliefs

Ever noticed how some simple board games can open your eyes to how your mind works? Spending the weekend with my family, playing Connect 4, Jenga, and memory, did just that for me. It reminded me that we can feel absolutely certain about something, even when it’s not true.

This episode is all about how those little moments reveal big insights into how we see ourselves. When we refuse to consider we might be wrong, it can turn into a stubborn belief system. By noticing these patterns, we can catch ourselves in the act and choose a different approach. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.

Learning Through Play

Playing with others can teach you a lot about their quirks, but it can also turn a spotlight on your own behaviour. I was playing a game of Connect 4 with Holly’s daughter, and at one point, she was firmly convinced she’d won. She hadn’t lined up four pieces at all—but her mind was set, and she was sure she’d nailed it.

That got me thinking: how often do we cling to what we think is right? How often do we stand our ground, even when we’re lacking proof? Sometimes I do exactly that, and it’s tough to admit I’m wrong. Still, these tiny scenes can wake us up to how we handle being questioned or challenged.

“Playing the game with Holly’s daughter really got me seeing how firm we can be on something that is not right.”

Recognising the Belief Trap

Belief traps are those moments where we think we have the whole picture. We feel completely settled in our viewpoint, but it’s actually pretty shaky once someone asks the right question. In my case, seeing that determination in a child gave me a mirror into my own mind.

Our brains love patterns. Once we see something as correct, we hunt for evidence that proves our point. Everything else feels like a threat, so we ignore or dismiss it as nonsense. Sometimes this is harmless—insisting we put a piece in a certain place on the board. But other times, it holds us back from learning something new or seeing a situation differently.

Being Willing to Shift

It’s easy to carry beliefs from childhood that no longer fit our adult world. For me, one lesson from this weekend was to practise letting go of the little convictions that don’t serve me. We can be kind to ourselves and accept that learning is a never-ending process.

At first, it can feel scary to admit you’re wrong. If you’ve struggled with dyslexia or ADHD, maybe you’ve had moments when you wondered if you were the only one who didn’t get it. You might have held a firm stance to look confident or just to keep people off your back. It’s totally normal and happens more than we realise. But letting your guard down can open new doors, even if you lose a round once in a while.

Training Your Mind to Adapt

Shifting our mindset can be a daily practice. You might find it helpful to:

• Pause when you feel yourself getting defensive.
• Ask yourself: “What if they’re right?”
• Look for facts that challenge your stance, not just those that back it up.
• Talk it out with someone who sees the world differently.

You don’t have to believe everything you hear, but exploring different angles can lessen the chance of getting stuck. Take Jenga. You remove a block carefully, hoping everything stays in place, but you know it might topple. Changing your mind can feel like that—unstable at first, yet exciting because you don’t know what’s possible once you move that one piece.

Nurturing Self-Awareness

No matter how many times I’ve played these games, they always reveal something new about how I engage with life. Becoming more aware of our thought processes and remaining open to being wrong can make us less anxious. We suddenly realise we’re free to learn without fear of looking silly.

Give yourself space to reflect on your beliefs. Ask, “Where did this idea come from?” or “Is it still accurate?” They seem like small questions, but they can spark massive insights. It’s all about being curious and forgiving toward yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Simple games can show how certain we are, even when we might be off track.
• Belief traps can limit our growth and keep us clinging to shaky assumptions.
• Admitting we’re wrong can be liberating and open new possibilities.
• Self-awareness grows when we question our default thoughts.
• It’s never too late to train your mind to adapt and explore fresh perspectives.

If this resonates with you, check out the full episode (the player’s above) where I share more on how these weekend board games unearthed a few truths in my own thought process. Give it a listen and see how your own playful moments might spark a new way of thinking.