"The most misleading assumptions are the ones you don't even know you're making."

Assumptions can trip us up in ways we don’t even realize. The main idea here is that the assumptions we’re unaware of are the most dangerous. Why? Because if you don’t know you’re making them, you can’t question or change them.

Think about the late 19th century, when everyone assumed that heavier-than-air flight was impossible. It wasn’t until the Wright brothers came along and questioned that unspoken assumption that we finally took to the skies. They didn't know it was supposed to be impossible, so they just went for it.

Now, imagine a more personal example. Let’s say there’s a guy named Joe. Joe's been at the same company for ten years, and he's never been promoted. He assumes his boss doesn’t think he’s leadership material. He doesn't even realize he’s making this assumption—he’s never questioned it. One day, a new colleague suggests that maybe Joe should just ask for a promotion. Joe reluctantly brings it up to his boss, who’s surprised. Turns out, his boss thought Joe was perfectly happy in his current role and had no idea Joe wanted more responsibility. Joe’s assumption had held him back for years.

So, how do you avoid falling into this trap? First, always question your own thoughts. If something feels limiting or frustrating, ask yourself why you believe it to be true. Are you assuming you don’t have enough time to start a new project? Are you assuming your partner won’t support your career change? Dig into these beliefs. Sometimes, just recognizing that you’re making an assumption is half the battle.

Here’s a little story to bring this idea home. Imagine you’re at a party. You see someone across the room who looks interesting, but you assume they wouldn’t want to talk to you. Why? Maybe because they’re laughing with a group of friends and seem engaged. You decide not to approach them. Later, you find out they were actually new in town and hoping to meet new people—they were just good at hiding their nerves. Your assumption kept you from making a new friend.

It’s like when you’re driving, and you miss a turn because you're certain the GPS is wrong. You assume you know better, but then you end up lost. The point is, we make little assumptions all the time without even realizing it.

To apply this wisdom, start by jotting down some of your core beliefs about different aspects of your life. Then, ask yourself where each belief came from. Is it something you’ve tested or just assumed? Push yourself to ask “why” multiple times. You might uncover some hidden assumptions that are steering your decisions.

The next time you feel stuck, think about Joe. Ask yourself if there’s an assumption lurking in the background that’s keeping you from moving forward. Question it, challenge it, and you might find a whole new path opens up.

In essence, stay curious and always be willing to question the invisible rules you've set for yourself. Who knows? You might just discover that the barriers you thought were there don’t exist at all.