Assumption is the Enemy…

Assumption is the enemy of excellence. I’ve allocated a lot of time in my self talk to reflect on how “I think”. What? Hang with me on this.

In healthcare we have an option to follow an algorithm of differential diagnosis. To not make assumptions, but follow the symptoms and history presented. I often tell myself (self reflection) to not chase the symptoms of an acute injury. In the collegiate sports medicine environment we spend hours with the athletes and they can present with various symptoms quite frequently for the same injury. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis and then manage the plan of care based upon the epi-center of the injury. This is my thought process, this is how I think.

Many authors have influenced my thinking, such as Dr. Henry Cloud and his book Necessary Endings and Daniel Kahneman and his well read Thinking, Fast and Slow.

Foundation of my current thought process is to remember some learnings from these authors. I said at the outset that assumptions are the enemy of excellence because I believe that ‘a reliable way of making people believe falsehoods is frequent repetition’ and ‘familiarity is not easily distinguished from truth’. While I have acquired truths and assumptions in my 65 years of life I must consistently challenge my biases.

I believe that my thought process is my strategy and my reflective thinking is my version of adjusting the plan. The bottom line is that I have gained much by being self-reflective, challenging the process, making necessary endings a normal part of who I am. To assist me in this process I created the graphic based off of Kahneman’s book.

Reflect on yourself…assume nothing.