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Be careful of making wrong assumptions
by/margit cathrine moller

What is the most common reason for making mistakes? Ignorance? Inexperience? Misguidance? Miscommunication? NO! It’s only Wrong Assumptions which lead us to make mistakes! But how? Let’s see.

In one study, two groups one opposed to and one supporting use of Meditation as an alternative treatment method each read two reports of carefully conducted research on the effectiveness of Meditation as an alternative treatment method. One report concluded that it was effective, the other that it was not. Despite being exposed to solid scientific information supporting counter-arguments, the members of both groups became even more convinced of the validity of their own positions after reading both reports. But both groups cannot be right! One group obviously made wrong conclusion. And this mistake came from the Wrong Assumption that they have all the necessary information which needed to get a final judgment. Not only that, they automatically accepted the initial frame and did not try to reframe the problem or given topic in several ways to see it from different sides and envision different potential outcomes. They made the Wrong Assumption that given frame is the only way to evaluate a situation.

Actually, we live a life consists of Assumptions. Puzzled? Let me explain. In the morning, when we wake up usually we try to get the watch (now it is cell-phone!) to see the time. First assumption we make is that the watch must be there, but there can be more than 101 reasons for the watch not being there. We think that it will take only 10 minutes to get shower assuming that the water supply remains uninterrupted, 10 more to get breakfast assuming that the breakfast is ready and within 30 minutes will be on the bus or car on the way to your office assuming that the office is there, even though a lot of people did not find their offices in right place in 9/11! Thus throughout the day we continue to make assumptions.

So what makes a man successful? Or what makes a man disappointed? It’s Assumptions! If one can make Right Assumptions continually then he or she will be successful and if he or she tends to get Wrong Assumptions most frequently then he or she must be disappointed with the results. People often make Wrong Assumptions because they rely too much on only one source of information. By getting information in the early stages of the decision-making process from a variety of reliable sources, you will be able to make better decisions. So don’t turn a blind eye – or a deaf ear – to valuable information. Only seeing what you want to see, or hearing what you want to hear, limits your options. And that can have a negative impact on your ultimate decision. Wrong assumptions can get you into all sorts of trouble. Whether you're struggling with a relationship, studying for a hard class or meeting new people, your preconceptions can make or break your ability to cope effectively with the situation. In order to stop making Wrong Assumptions, you'll have to check your ego at the door and keep your mind open to new possibilities. Remember that the only safe assumption to make is that your first assumptions might be false.

This keeps your head level and your mind open. Respect other people's ideas. Even though you might disagree with someone else on a hot topic, recognize that her opinion isn't worthless simply because it's not the same as your own. Base your judgments only on the most apparent facts. This is the most logical way of doing things, and it'll stop you from make Wrong Assumptions altogether.

Open your mind, open your health. Start reading today

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"Nature gave men two ends - one to sit on and one to think with.
Ever since then man's success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most."

                                                                                    - George R. Kirkpatrick -


EXPLORE, ENRICH, EXPAND: TAKE A JOURNEY THROUGH WORDS

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Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all life really means.
                                                                        - Robert Louis Stevenson


Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey.

                                                                         - Tad Williams

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