Don't Make Assumptions

“Don’t make assumptions” is such a powerful rule.

It sounds simple, but it is difficult to internalize.

I give that advice constantly because making assumptions is causing so much pain and confusion.

Don’t make assumptions in personal relationships, because you never know how another person feels or what their intentions are.

If you make assumptions, you are putting your relationships at risk. You might assume your partner knows what you want or that a friend who has been silent for a while is angry at you or doesn’t like you anymore. If you do this, you are hurting yourself and others. You will get upset about things that never happened.

You will turn misunderstandings into drama and risk ruining your relationships.

Instead, you should ask questions. A lot of questions. Say what you actually want. Make sure you understand someone by asking what they actually meant.

If you want a healthy relationship, don’t make your partner guess. Talk honestly about your feelings. Say what you want. Don’t expect anyone to read your mind.

The same is true for other situations in life, too. You will have a much easier time by asking questions instead of making assumptions.

This is how learning works. Be interested. Don’t assume you know anything. That’s how you stay dumb. Be a beginner. Ask questions.

You will work much more efficiently after you stop making assumptions. You might not have understood what your colleague/boss/employee wanted or meant. Asking clarifying questions and over, not under, communicating will save you time and frustration.

You don’t know anything. Ask questions. Don’t make assumptions.