Assumptions Test

May 14

This writing is Certified Human

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” — Marcus Aurelius

The Obstacle

We assume.

We’ve seen
Heard
Lived
Done it all before.

We assume many things in life
How situations will play out
People’s attitudes
Intentions
Actions
Motivations.

Not exploring more can save us time
It can also lead us down a false path.

When we assume
We may not have enough information
To make the wisest choice
Or best action.

We may assume false attitudes
Tones
Intentions
Feelings
Emotions
Motives.

We may say things we regret
Or do wrong.

The wrong path
Wastes time and energy
Strains relationships
Creates conflict
That could have been avoided
If we had tested our assumptions.

We know we assume.

People assume about us.

Oftentimes they are wrong
We are wrong
Our assumptions are wrong.

We know assuming gets us in trouble
Strains relationships
Causes conflict
Wastes time and energy.

Since we know this
We can anticipate
Plan for and avoid it.

In all things of consequence
We can take the time
To understand others
Explore options
Find what we may be missing
Before taking action.

Avoid conflict
Build trust
Save time
Increase performance
Better focus energy.

All we need
Is an assumptions test.

• Plan for the assumption
• Pause before words or action
• Ask what else could be true
• Explore the possibilities

CHEAT CODE: PLAN → PAUSE → TEST THE ASSUMPTION → GATHER INFORMATION → ACT

I assume many things.
People’s tone
My wife’s intentions and mood
Motives of others.

I assume what people’s actions
And thoughts mean
Without ever asking.

This assumption makes me frustrated.

Assuming leaves me resentful
Imagining what they meant
And why
Whole stories playing out.

Assuming leads me to say and do things
Without enough information
To be confident in my beliefs.

Assuming wastes my time
By not exploring any other paths or creative ways
To solve the problem.

I would be better off testing my assumptions.