ASSUMPTIONS

I was having a discussion with a Co-worker the other day, on a word that really makes me cringe and I do mean I cringe, in the literal sense, whenever I hear anyone use it..The word is “assume” I know the adage and I for one believe, that the only one it makes an “ass” out of, is the one who is doing the assuming. I've included a few examples:

You’re redecorating and convey your thoughts to the Designer. After going over your ideas, you ask if your ideas are understood and the Designer states he/she knows just what you want. When the job is finally done, it's not exactly to your liking and question why. That's when you hear the "priceless" phrase: ".Well, I assumed that’s what you wanted." There I go cringing again....lol Why didn’t the Designer just ask for clarification before proceeding, if there were any questions left on his/her mind?

As we’ve all learned, not all assumptions are correct. In fact, the vast majority ore not! This gap in communication, leaves room for misunderstanding, frustration and judgmentalism. When one assumes they know how and what you’re thinking, know exactly what you’re going to do; thereby playing judge and jury, when in reality, the scenario they have played out is not at all what your thoughts were, let alone what the outcome was ever going to be, this action can only lead to the demise of whatever relationship you have...be it friendship, business or love relationship. I think those who assume, should carefully consider the consequences, shoud the assumptions be wrong.

Albert Einstein said that we cannot solve new problems, by using he same approach that got us where we are. He might also have said that we cannot notice fresh opportunities and solutions, if we assume we already know everything. To me that is the key phrase……to assume we already know everything. So, inquire more and assume less.

Take this little test, in story form...... that I found online and try as hard as you can, to make absolutely no assumptions at all.

A Man was walking alone in the jungle, when he saw a tiger jump out from the bushes behind him

He ran as fast as he could along the track ahead of him, until he came to a steep drop of about 30 meters down a clearing below.

The Tiger bounded into sight behind him and the man, obviously fearing for his life, leapt out and landed halfway down the cliff face, where he stopped his fall, by gripping a solitary vine in both hands.

As the vine began to slowly give way, the man saw the tiger's mate appear in the clearing below. The man then looked up and he could see the pursuing Tiger was there looking over the ledge.

The man then saw, just beside him, a lush strawberry plant laden with ripe fruit.
What would you do in these circumstances?

Give this some thought and remember to make no assumptions.

When you believe that you know what you would do, Scroll down.


















The best thing to do would be to roar a bit, then settle down and wait patiently until the vine failed and he dropped down into the clearing, probably stunned by the fall and then eat him.

I hope that you didn't ignore my advice and assume that you were the man....or did you?:)