What assumptions are you making? What will you do to challenge them?
Sometimes the assumptions you make get in your way. Here’s an example:
The word polk is pronounced _____.
The word folk is pronounced _____.
The white of an egg is pronounced _____.
The first 2 blanks set you up to make an assumption—to think a certain way. If you said “yolk” you were allowing an assumption to cloud your thinking.
Assumptions:
- Influence your behaviour and emotions
- Can be incorrect
- Can be self-defeating
- Are to be constantly challenged
Cara’s co-worker is not very communicative or friendly.
Cara could assume:
- She’s done something to upset her co-worker.
- Her co-worker is a jerk.
Or Cara could challenge her assumptions and:
- Realize there’s no law saying her co-worker has to be her friend
- Stop feeling guilty or hostile and instead cultivate positive relationships with her other co-workers
Jamal’s biology teacher is not wildly enthusiastic that he has finally started handing in his homework assignments.
Jamal could assume:
- He’s wasting his time doing the work.
- His teacher doesn’t support his efforts.
Or Jamal could challenge his assumptions and:
- Realize it would be nice if his teacher showed some enthusiasm but it isn’t required
- Keep doing the work so he stays in control of his own learning and reaches his goals
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