We all assume things out of habit, but unfortunately, it can have significant consequences.
If you feel like your thinking pattern is holding you back or causing you problems, assumption management can be a powerful tool to open your mind and grow into becoming a better version of yourself!
Challenging your assumptions can assist you in better understanding and coping with the world around you. It will enable you to overcome triggers, realize your true potential, and connect with other people better.
Let us walk you through 10 easy ways to challenge assumptions and how it can change your life.
Assumptions Can Either
Make Or Break Your Life
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Assumptions are made out of thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. They are something you assume to be the case even without real reason or proof.
We all assume that we know people’s motives, abilities, and skills. However, often we don’t.
Take your workplace, for example. Have you ever encountered an issue because someone assumed you already knew something? Assuming you already had done something?
Assumptions often occur because of an evident lack of communication. This can cause friction, issues, misunderstanding, misjudgment and ultimately kill trust in teamwork and relationships.
Understand The Power Of Thoughts – And Its Consequences
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Making assumptions is natural. Our brain needs to simplify things to save energy and make sense of things. It would be impossible to go through life without assumptions!
Nevertheless, the way you intrepid every situation you encounter can have a massive impact on your life’s direction—both personally and professionally.
There are both upsides and downsides of assumptions. Imagine you’re walking around with this feeling that you could do something more with your life. Let’s say you want to quit your 9-5 and freelance your skills instead. If you assume that you have what it takes and have proof to back it up, you will have the courage to do it!
On the other hand, if you’re afraid and assume you’ll fail because you’ve never tried it before, you’ll end up not doing it and maybe regret that decision for the rest of your life. You would be stuck at your miserable workplace you so desperately wanted to escape in the first place.
The same goes for the people we encounter. Especially, people, you don’t know. They often have their own story, perspectives, and reasons why they are the way they are. Just like you!
We make choices based on our assumptions. So choose them wisely! If you misjudge someone, you might miss out on a great relationship or opportunity. You may not live your life to the fullest. Maybe you’re assuming things such as how you want to work, live, and enjoy relations because it’s “always been like that” or “that’s what everyone else is doing.”
Assumptions can hold us back from making progress or growing as a person because it limits our mindset to achieve what we are capable of.
How Assumptions Are Created
(You Might Be Surprised)
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As we discussed earlier, assumptions are made of our thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. But where do these originate from?
From the second we enter the world, we are affected by everything around us. Our parents decide how to raise us. They teach us about what values they want us to have in life. Every experience you have contributes to those thoughts, beliefs, and opinions.
We are constantly influenced. Our family, friends, partners, teachers, bosses, and co-workers all affect our subconscious minds. And one well-known thing that has come into play is Social Media. With nearly 3 billion people worldwide being on Facebook alone, it’s not only the people close to you that affect you anymore. It’s everything you see and read on your phone.
And then there are stereotypes. We judge people by their looks and behavior all the time, simply because our society made them up.
It’s too easy to end up in a default mode and base new interactions on past experiences. When you judge a stereotype, you’re not seeing the person/situation in front of you since you “already know” how they are.
10 Easy Ways To Challenge
Assumptions You Can Use Today
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Now that we have clarified how good and bad assumptions can be – the first step in challenging assumptions is to identify them by admitting to yourself that you have them.
You need to observe your thoughts.
To challenge assumptions is to challenge our core belief system. It might not seem easy at first, but it all comes down to having an open mind and the right tools to get going.
With time, you’ll get better, and you can unlock a whole new level of potential within yourself!
1. Question Your Thinking Pattern
The first step to challenge assumptions is by questioning your default response. Realize that it’s the default, something you’ve been taught from somewhere or someone else.
Use the following questions to identify an assumption within yourself (these are also great for decision-making and problem-solving):
- Why am I thinking the way I am (what’s the reason)?
- Is it an old way of thinking?
- Could there be an alternative to what I am thinking?
- What else could be true, apart from my perspective?
- What’s the worst thing that can happen if I question it?
- Where can I look for proof or an alternative?
2. Take An Objective Perspective
If you think you can’t do something, ask a professional. For instance, if you assume you can’t afford something, ask a financial advisor. They might have a different, objective opinion about your situation that can help clarify your case.
If your topic is more personal, imagine (or ask) what someone close to you would think about the thoughts you have. Their experiences can give you perspective and help you make the right decision. You can also try to reverse the situation and imagine how it would feel if someone judged you because they assumed something about you.
3. Ask Instead Of Assuming
If you are part of a conversation or situation where you disagree with someone and assume they’re wrong (because you think you’re right), listen carefully by paying attention to them. Then, ask them to clarify their statement. Uncover their intentions before you make an assumption.
If we want to understand and respect people, we have to ask them where they are coming from. By doing this, we’re also taking steps towards improving the relationship.
4. Accept That Others Have A Different Belief System
If you disagree with people, consider that someone else might still have another point of view. Remember that no one sees the world exactly as you do. So at least, one thing you can do is accept that their belief system is different and that it’s ok.
The beauty of diversity is that we might learn from one another when we allow others to share their story, which leads us to the next point…
5. Allow People To Bring A Fresh Perspective
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Be curious. We are closing in on 8 billion people on Earth. All with different cultures, experiences, and findings. Keep an open mind and listen to them. See it as an opportunity to widen your thoughts on how others see the world. It can be life-changing.
Appreciate their contributions! Their fresh perspective or experiences can be a helpful tool to assist you in better decision-making.
6. Choose To Believe That
People Have Good Intentions
The number one thing that can make your life ten times harder is assuming people have bad intentions. It will instantly get your wall up, you won’t pay attention, and the result of that will be very unproductive.
Choose to believe that people have good intentions, and it will change how you feel at that moment. Try it and see for yourself!
7. Avoid Having Expectations
Expectations are based on assumptions. It’s assuming people think or know something that you think they do. For instance, just because you work with someone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the same page.
It’s risky assuming everyone shares the same thoughts about things as you do. People have other goals and views in life and business.
To make sure that there are no misunderstandings or misjudgments, clarify by communicating and coming together to share an understanding of what’s going on.
8. Collect Data To Make
Your Assumptions Reasonable
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Ask yourself this one question; Is my assumption just an idea, or is it well-supported? If so, by what? If not, where can I find the answer? Are there other takes on this that I could explore?
9. Mind Your Language
What you say matters: If you assume you can’t do something, you can’t. But If you assume you can, you probably will!
Mind your thoughts, and just as importantly, your language, to avoid triggering negative assumptions in yourself and the person in front of you.
Try to speak to yourself and others in a positive way. If you think and speak in more favorable terms, it can tremendously improve your quality of life.
10. Try New Things And Explore Alternatives
Things are different in practice vs. in theory. The only way to know if your assumptions are true or false is to try doing something different.
If you’re in doubt about something in your life already, try to get rid of it or attempt something new. It can be things, habits, goals, perspectives, identities, relationships, technology, or whatever is relevant in your life. See how you do without it instead of keeping it, just because it’s always been like that.
Start fresh. If it’s a mistake, you can get it back, but this time you’ll have new energy.
It’s never too late to start from scratch with a new career and new approach to life. The only things you’ll regret in life are the things you didn’t do.
Assumption Management Can
Boost All Areas Of Your Life
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When we assume things, we limit our potential and exploration of the world. Sometimes, we turn something great into something terrible simply by assuming instead of checking the facts.
By challenging assumptions, you can boost all areas in your life, from problem-solving at work to improving relations and how you view yourself and the life you’ve created.
It isn’t easy. You will have to get out of your comfort zone and try new things to gain a fresh perspective. But once you do, you will notice that your relationships will improve over time, and new opportunities arise as you elevate your mindset.
Through trial and error, you’ll learn from your mistakes, gain more confidence, and combat your limiting beliefs.
It can even lead to a significant change in your life, such as a new career, a step towards something you’ve always wanted, or meeting someone special.
Only you decide where this journey takes you.
More content like this? Check out The Painful Truth: Why You’re Not Getting What You Want In Life (And How To Change Now).
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