Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

We previously covered Fear as one of the most prevalent internal blockers that keeps us from reaching our true career potential. This is the F in F.A.I.L. Now it’s time to look at the second internal blocker that holds us back, the A in F.A.I.L. - Assumptions.

Assumptions are what we tell ourselves based on incorrect expectations. Just because something happened in the past does not mean that it will happen again today. At one level, assumptions provide the walkway to a functioning planet. We assume the chair will hold us, the brakes will stop the car and the sun will rise in the morning and set in the evening.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with these assumptions. We form them from a lifetime of experience, and our assumptions are usually correct. In some cases, they will always be correct. When it comes to career ambition, however, assumptions really impede our growth. Here are a few I’ve heard from my clients:

• finding a new job is going to be dreadful
• I will never make $200K annual salary (or $500K or $1M etc.)
• it’s impossible to retire any time soon
• the CEO is just not going to ever notice me or promote me
• my manager is displeased with me so I am afraid to meet with him

When we assume, we predict a future that isn’t here. This subtle arrogance is along the depression spectrum. As we wade in its waters, we feel a little sluggish and our progress is greatly slowed. We oftentimes begin to sink.

Scarier still, as we make assumptions, we base our actions on them. We then view the outcome of the accurate prediction of our assumption and we create an entire belief system around this un-truth.

These types of assumptions are almost always false. The only thing that makes them possible is our continual obsessing. Without giving them mind-time, these assumptions fade away and a new reality comes into play. Changing the way we think about current events is like shining a light into a dark room.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”

- Isaac Asimov

The way I coach all clients through assumptions is to directly challenge the assumption. This is what you can do as well. Here are a few questions I ask:

1. What if this assumption was untrue? What would you do different?
2. How is this assumption making you feel right now?
3. If you changed your belief about this, what could be possible?

“We make assumptions, and believe we are right about the assumptions; then we defend our assumptions and try to make someone else wrong.”

- Don Miguel Ruiz, Author

As we make a deliberate effort to question our very own thinking, we realize how great it is that we are wrong. Being wrong about our assumptions is absolutely freeing. We are free to respond differently. We are free to be calm before the meeting begins. We are free to enjoy planning for a bold and fulfilling future.

Shawn Sommerkamp is a motivational speaker and Executive Coach with 20+ years of Fortune 100 leadership experience. He founded Motivationeer™ to coach Christian professionals how to use their career to glorify God and support local church growth.