If everyone has the potential to be biased, then trying to change may seem impossible.

Just because something is a part of human nature doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to improve upon it. Specifically, it doesn’t stop the fact that bias has grave implications in the real world. Because of bias, people have been denied housing, employment, education, fair loans, and, in the most severe cases, people have lost their lives.

So how do we correct something that so many of us do? Simple: micro-habits. Micro-habits are small changes that can be done daily to change behavior, limited or problematic beliefs. In other words, they are the first step is in tackling our most stubborn bad habits. and thoughts. By focusing on these changes, we can identify the biases that occur daily and trickle into the workplace.

Three Key Micro-habits

Mindfulness.

The very first step in rewiring a biased system is awareness. Become aware that a problem exists in the first place. Being “in the moment” allows us to realize issues that occur. You can learn to discover negative thoughts or assumptions as they happen and develop the ability to process them with a clear mind to find a solution. Mindfulness is key to all aspects of changing beliefs and behavior.

Pause your reactions. 

The philosopher Seneca said, “The greatest remedy for anger is delay.” Pause between anger and the action. If something happens or you’re in a situation where you recognize a strong bias, take a moment to pause and reflect before you continue to act. For instance, whether your act is a belief or a physical action, simply pause. The ability to stop and reflect is the most valuable, yet quietest, gamechanger. How many negative outcomes could have been avoided if someone would have simply taken a moment before reacting?

Challenge your beliefs.

A significant portion of bias stems from stereotypes. A stereotype is “an oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing held by many people.” Most stereotypes come from television, music, hearsay, or other biased sources and create a narrow, limited, and often ignorant worldview. Viewing someone through the lens of a stereotype is the best way to destroy the possibility of human connection. Challenging the beliefs we hold and investigating them will reveal much of the bad information we’ve held onto for so long and allow us to get to know each other for who we are and not our assumptions.

To change culture, we must change behavior; to change behavior, we must change our habits and do this consistently. Great impact begins with small steps. By focusing on these micro-habits, we can all contribute positively to transforming our community, society, and ourselves for the better.