SIT with Your Assumptions

Misinformation, misunderstandings, miscommunications. These are the pitfalls and pains of faulty assumptions.

Unchecked assumptions are a toxic poison. The collateral damage that can result from bad assumptions requires no explanation. There are few of us – from ages 8 to 88 – who haven’t personally experienced the consequences of perilous assumptions.

Assumptions can only become toxic when they go unchecked and unchallenged. The best use for an assumption is to make it an opportunity to learn more. We hear a lot about developing a growth mindset – challenging assumptions is one way to model the behaviors associated with a growth-minded attitude.

Next time you catch yourself assuming, USE the SIT model to pivot assumptions into possibilities!

STOP – INQUIRE - TRANSFORM

• STOP: Halt your runaway mind! Don't believe everything you see or hear without validation. Think before you say or do something you'll later regret.

• INQUIRE: Question everything: "Is that true?" "How do I know it's true?" "What leads me to this conclusion?"

• TRANSFORM: Use assumptions to ignite the learning process and discover hidden potential. The less we assume, the more we can learn!

So remember, instead of believing and acting on your assumptions, SIT with them first.

Avoid the trap that sitting with your assumptions takes too much time. Acting on a bad assumption will likely take more time, more labor, and more budget to repair.