The Power of Assumptions in Our Lives

We don’t just accept assumptions in simple exercises like I had mentioned in my last post about assuming two circles are not identical when someone told us they are not, and then going the next step to pointing out which one is larger than the other. We also carry assumptions into our daily decisions, beliefs, and even lifelong perspectives. Many of the things we hold as absolute truths may simply be ideas we inherited from authority figures, cultural conditioning, or personal experiences that shaped our worldview. 

As a coach, I often witness how deeply ingrained beliefs can keep people stuck. Some individuals believe they are “not leadership material” because they were once criticized early in their careers. Others assume that changing careers is “too risky” because they’ve been told stability is everything. 

These beliefs are rarely questioned but have a profound impact on their choices, success, and fulfillment. If we can challenge the assumptions it would change our lives. We say our assumptions with so much conviction that we feel they are solid truths.

But taking a step back and re thinking is what a coach can help us with. Even a little questioning can weaken the assumption by 5-10% which makes the coachee walk out with a thought that I too need to give myself the permission to rethink of what I consider as absolute truth and what is the evidence around that.