Test assumptions. Transform reality.
Assumptions, things that are accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. We make them about everything - other people, potential experiences, places near and far, and yes, about ourselves. For us humans, assumptions can happen so quickly and deeply in our minds that they can be hard to identify and assess.
What assumptions propel you forward? Hold you back? When it’s time to kick one to the curb, what do you do?
Ask the question.
Build some momentum.
Put it to the test.
In December I traveled the distance between one of my growth goals and a related, limiting assumption in order to have a better chance at living up to my best:
Now that I’ve uncovered this fear-based and rather stagnating assumption, that if I fail or struggle on a small thing, I’ll do the same on bigger ones, let’s put it to the test:
First, ask the question: IS THIS ABSOLUTELY TRUE?
No, it’s not. In fact, I’ve made mistakes, struggled, and/or failed in just about everything I’ve tried, from teaching to knitting; cooking to coaching. And through all of this - there’s been learning followed by some version of success.
My most recent favorite failure occurred for me as a novice knitter. In attempting a fisherman’s rib scarf for my sister, I failed consecutively for about 90 minutes and perhaps in 200 attempts in the K1B, P1B stitches. I admit, this could be turning into a tangent just for me to brag but the proof is in the knitting. That scarf got done and to my sister ON TIME for the holidays.
Next, build some momentum: WHO ARE YOU WITH THIS ASSUMPTION? WHO COULD YOU BE WITHOUT IT?
Who am I with this: Hesitant, avoidant, sloth-ish, less likely to take a leap, less likely to ask for help or maximize an opportunity. Ugh - bummer.
Who could I be without it? A bolder leader, quicker to try and learn, more joyful, unburdened by fear. Yeah, this version is better - momentum is built!
Put it to the test: WHAT’S YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO TEST YOUR ASSUMPTION AND PROVE IT WRONG?
Writing this, now, live. Sending out into the world that I don’t know it all and will likely make some mistakes along the way. My test is in the waiting to see if all of a sudden I experience public ridicule, if my clients ditch me, if I fail before I’ve fully launched. Even as I write this, I am getting bolder - this won’t happen.
