At some point, we all make assumptions based on our expectations, preconceived beliefs and ideas. Most of the time, our conclusions are wrong and negatively impact our relationships, opportunities and possibilities. When you challenge your suppositions, you break through to a different perception, which allows for different results. Here are 3 steps to allow you to see more clearly.

Transcript:

Thank you for watching. I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist and I want to tell you a story about how assumptions can be damaging.

I once had a friend who would take the things I said the wrong way. If I said I preferred the color green over blue, she’d take it as an attack on her taste, because blue was her favorite color. If I shared some achievement or good news, she assumed I was putting her down.

This didn’t happen all the time, but when it did, I felt like I’d walked into an episode of the Twilight Zone. I’d be disoriented, trying to figure out how she could have misinterpreted what I said. And then I’d try to assure her I didn’t mean it the way she took it.

Unfortunately, that never worked. Because of this, the friendship eventually ended.

In hindsight, I realized that she was expecting me to attack her, so she took everything I said personally. The story she created around that became her reality. And nothing could convince her otherwise. Because she’d filtered what I said through the lens of her belief and her motivations, she couldn’t see me, or what I said, clearly.

We all do something similar, don’t we, at some time or another? When you make an assumption, you’re filtering what’s said or done through your own expectations and motivations. Your perception is muddied by your preconceived ideas and beliefs. And it generally causes to you to jump to an incorrect conclusion and then act on it, most of the time to your detriment. It could cost you friends, promotions, sales or your self-confidence.

Haven’t you ever leaped to a conclusion, discovered it was wrong, and then had to apologize for it? You weren’t seeing clearly through your filter. Here are 3 steps to see more clearly:

1. Start becoming aware of your assumptions, not only about other people and situations, but about yourself, too. Don’t believe everything you’re telling yourself about the situation, because it’s probably wrong.

2. Question whether there may be another explanation, one that may be as or more accurate or realistic than your conclusion. This allows you to catch those false perceptions before you act on them.

3. Challenge your suppositions and look for evidence that supports or disproves them. When you do, you begin to clear away your filters and perceive things more clearly. And this opens up more possibilities and opportunities for you, in all areas of your life. It may even save a friendship.

If you’d to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision blueprint at www. Linda-AnnStewart.com/setyourcourse.html. You’ll receive the blueprint, as well as tips and directions about the 4 vital areas you need to address so you can accomplish your goal.

Thank you for watching. How can you be more mindful and present, and become aware of your assumptions?

Read the accompanying article, Assumptions Don’t Serve You.