Welcome to the fascinating and frustrating world of cognitive bias—it's full of challenge and opportunity. And although cognitive biases exist only in our heads, they affect everything around us, including our work.

Cognitive biases are common thinking errors that hinder our rational decision-making.

We don't always see things as they are. We don't simply glean information through the senses and act on it; instead, our minds give that info their own spin, which can sometimes be deceptive. The inner experience is not always in perfect sync with what's going on in the outer world.

The first step toward overcoming cognitive biases is to acknowledge that we have them. The most sophisticated thinkers fall prey to their own cognitive biases, so at least we're in good company. The second step is to take advantage of tools that can help balance out our own irrational tendencies. Nothing cools a hot head like an ice-cold algorithm.

With that, here are common cognitive biases and some tools that can help you overcome them—or use them to your professional advantage.