In the last blog, we explored limiting beliefs, the first of the“Big 4” energy blocks which prevent us from making conscious choices andreaching our potential. Let’s take alook now at another one of those blocks – the assumptions we make. An assumption is a belief that is based on the premise thatbecause something happened in the past, it is automatically going to happenagain. When you make choices based on your assumptions, you are lettingthe past control the future. Assumptions hold you back, because when youalready “know” that something won’t work, you probably won’t even considerdoing it. Even if you do attempt it, you won’t have a lot of energy for, or beengaged in, what you’re doing, since you don’t really believe it can work. Whenyou hold on to your assumptions, you miss out on many possibilities. Imagine this scenario: A new salesperson has done five salespresentations, and none of the prospective clients have decided to buy herproduct. If she’s makes the assumption that she is not good at doingpresentations, then it’s unlikely that she’ll put her all into soliciting them.And, even if she does end up doing one, the catabolic energy she brings withher to the presentation may actually repel her potential sales (and without hereven realizing it, she has created more proof that her assumption was correct.) Here are some typical assumptions: If I don’t do it myself, it won’t be done right. My kids are lazy and unproductive. I’m no good at interviewing. No one listens to what I’m saying. Because assumptions are primarily based on personal experience,they are internalized and emotional, and somewhat difficult to let go of.Delving deep to remove the emotion of the past experience may be necessarybefore moving forward. The main question to ask when challenging an assumption is simply“Just because that happened in the past, why must it happen again?” Your challenge: Over the next few weeks when you just “know” thatsomething won’t work based on your past experience, recognize your assumptionfor what it is, question it, and consciously choose to let it go and to takepositive action. In the next blog, we’ll go on to interpretations, the next of theBig 4 blocks. |