It is easy to make assumptions in business and life.

Updated: Nov 24, 2023

Somedays, I find myself jumping to conclusions about everything that goes on in my life. These assumptions often come from my beliefs and past experiences, shaping how I perceive situations and people. I learned a crucial lesson about assumptions when I was 16, courtesy of my first boss. He told me that assuming makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me." Ouch! That stung, and the lesson stuck with me.

Now, I'm thinking about the assumptions I make in my business and life. Do they influence how I run my business, interact with people, and make decisions?

Here are some ways to strengthen my business and improve my life by understanding the impact of my assumptions and beliefs:

1. Know my truth: Stand by my beliefs and values, and understand how they shape my thoughts and plans in everyday situations.

2. Evaluate information: Determine what information is relevant and accurate before making an assumption. Be open to others' perspectives. Listen first, seek to understand, and ask questions.

3. Avoid jumping to conclusions: Stop assuming I'm always right. Pay attention to why I'm making assumptions and give myself a reality check. Identify assumptions and find ways to address them.

A practical way to do this is by grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. Draw a line down the middle, label the left side "assumptions" and the right side "questions." Without overthinking, brainstorm and jot down everything that comes to mind. Then, review and create an action plan to tackle the assumptions that might be holding me and my business back. It's a simple but effective way to gain clarity and move forward. x Kathie

About the author:

Hey there my name is Kathie, I've been in the business world for over 25 years, steering various ventures to success with turnovers of up to 3 million dollars. It all started when I was 27, and since then, I've been fully committed to making businesses not just run but thrive. After two decades of immersing myself in product-focused ventures, I decided to take it to the next level. I launched my own business consultancy, with a clear mission: helping businesses and non-profits grow. My secret sauce? Strategic thinking and a solid commitment to seeing people not just survive but excel. I have a track record to prove it. Taking businesses from ground zero to six figures has been my specialty. How did I do it? Well, chalk it up to thinking strategically, a clear plan, consistency, resilience, adaptability, and a good old dose of stubborn determination.

I've got the scars and the stories to back it up. Like to know more? Say Hello. x Kathie