You probably know the old joke…
When you assume, you make an A$$ out of U and ME.
I’ve gotten myself into lots of trouble… and certainly made an A$$ out of myself on countless occasions for assuming things.
Usually when we think of assumptions, it’s regarding other people or things.
Let’s take a slightly different angle here, though… assuming things about yourself.
Have you ever assumed you wouldn’t like something because of a limited experience with that something in the past?
Perhaps a vegetable that just wasn’t prepared in a tasty way the last time you tried it (see brussels sprouts and broccoli).
Perhaps you’ve been reluctant to start a new exercise plan because you’ve not stuck with it in the past.
Perhaps you’ve given up on changing your eating habits because you’ve been unsuccessful in the past.
Just like making assumptions involving other people… making assumptions about ourselves can have similar results…
Only the only A$$ that gets made is ME (well you, but yea)!
I know what you are saying right now…
“Jeff, it’s not an assumption, it’s experience.”
Maybe.
I’ll admit, there is a fine line between assumption and experience.
BUT… Have you ever assumed you wouldn’t like something because of a limited experience with it in the past, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT YOU ACTUALLY ENJOY IT???
Just like assuming someone or something outside of ourselves will behave a certain way, because it/they have before…
The same goes for ourselves.
You can and do learn and grow.
As you do, your experience of yourself changes.
Things that you liked or in the past, that you feel different about now.
Applying this principle back to making health related behavior change…
Just because you may not have been successful at something you’ve tried in the past, doesn’t mean you can’t ever be.
Assuming you’ll “fail” again, because you’ve “failed” in the past is falling into the A$$UME trap.
If this is you, please know that you can achieve the state you desire.
You just need to find the path that works for you.
More specifically, you might need to chunk it down into smaller increments…
BABY STEPS as I’m always preaching!
Don’t give up.
Don’t A$$ume.
Instead, ask yourself what’s a smaller action you can take in the direction you want to go.
Start small and grow from there.
What’s something you have “assumed” about yourself in the past that you were surprised was actually different?
Are you ready to take control of your health journey, once and for all? Check out my 12-week program,
Healthy Lifestyle Mastery, then get in touch to learn if it’s a good fit for you.