Assume Nothing

Our human nature is such that when we assume we know how to do something, we perform the act without much thought about the assumptions we make. Once we think we know how something should be done, we keep doing it, then we teach others to do it the same way, and they in turn teach others until eventually you reach a point where no one remembers why something is done a certain way but we keep doing it anyway.

How many times have you heard “It’s always been done this way. Don’t mess with what works.” Or “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Instead of challenging these assumptions, many of us simply keep reproducing what has been done before. It’s the easiest thing to do. No thinking required.

We automatically accept what we are taught and exclude all other lines of thought. The same thing happens when we see something odd or unusual. We tend to accept whatever explanation someone with experience tells us. And too often it’s the blind leading the blind.

Kids are really good at asking “why?” about everything and grownups tend to shut them down with the standard answer:”Because”.

Maybe it’s time to ask the “why” questions yourself. And don’t assume you know the answer.

Come up with something new.