Assumptions
How often do you assume you know something, only to be proven wrong soon after?
And how many times do you never check if what you assumed was actually correct, and go on living your life assuming a lot of things that are not even real?
I always try to tell myself NOT to assume things, but the problem is that our brains like to be really, really efficient. So my brain will always jump to “What’s the next logical step here?”, and I forget to actually check in.
Why is this so important to be aware of?
Last week I looked at a blender of a make I know is good quality, and next to it was another one that was more powerful and not much more expensive. It looked more or less the same, so I ASSUMED it was the same model but just more powerful, and grabbed it. It turned out to be another, cheaper version, and I got really disappointed as it’s a tool I use all the time in my plant based kitchen. And all because I didn’t check it was actually the same.
An owner comes into the clinic with an animal, and looking at the owner, and the condition of the animal, I might assume what treatment they are looking for and how much they can afford to spend on their pet. When I assume, I don’t ask, and so may very well end up not having great communication with the owner, adding to their confusion and suffering.
Someone comes to a coaching session, and brings up something I have been working on a lot myself, and I’ll be like “Oh yeah, I know this one, this is what they need to do”. Instead of staying open and curious, and find out what the actual issue is FOR THEM. And the coaching session turns out a bit “meh”, instead of giving the client an amazing transformation.
You may be working on losing weight, and someone recommends an exercise or a motivational video, and you ASSUME you know you’re not going to like it, so you never try it. You could be missing out on an opportunity to try out a tool that could totally work for you.And so you keep being frustrated trying to lose weight, ASSUMING you’re just really bad at it.
You desperately want to have an amazing relationship, but you ASSUME you know what your partner is thinking, and don’t ask them questions that could bring you closer. You get angry over something they do because you ASSUME you know why they did it. And so you fail to connect, over and over.
When all these small assumptions add up, can you see how it’s possible to miss out on opportunities, have mediocre relationships, not reach our goals, think we’re just not that lucky, think the universe is against us….?
The answer is to stay curious, like a little child.
ASSUME one thing: I don’t know, and I’m going to be open until I find out.
It doesn’t make you less clever or less efficient.
You can actually save a lot of energy and time if you make sure you get the right end of the stick before moving forward.
In your corner,
P.S: Did this resonate with you? Book a free consult and find out where you’re assuming things, not getting everything you could out of your life. It's hard to know what we don't know. As a life coach, I’m an expert in finding the blind spots you can’t see when you’re in it. Book here to find out: https://calendly.com/gunila-lifecoach/50-minute-free-coaching-consultation