And as humans we’re really good at making them. They inhibit us, constrict us and stop us thinking in different directions and in new ways. In fact, the older we get the better we are at making them.
Assumptions are things like...
• We’ve always done it this way
• It’s too expensive
• No-one will buy it
• It’s never been done before and there’s a reason for that!
• You can’t make it square
• You can’t make it round
• It has to be red
And the list goes ever onward. Kids are great examples of people who don’t make many assumptions. They simply haven’t got the life experience that we do. We have a game in our house called “first one to touch mummy’s bottom”. The idea of the game is that when the kids won’t do as they’re told, or won’t come when called (a common thing in our family by the way), you sneak up to them and say, “Hey, first one to touch mummy’s bottom” and then you run as fast as you can and slam into mum’s backside. Mum hates it but it gets the kids moving.
So one day we were having a picnic at Centennial Park in Sydney. There’s a great playground there, which is surrounded by a pool fence, (either to keep the parents out or keep the kids in). We also have a big dog and so we sit outside the playground and tie the dog to the fence while the kids play inside. About 10 metres away is a gate. Here’s a map to put you in the picture.
When it was time to leave, Hugh my littlest one, wanted to keep playing on the swings - time to get creative ‘Hey Hugh… First one to touch mummy’s bottom!’
We were off. I sprinted to the gate and then turned around to see how far Hugh was behind me only to discover that he’d already won! He simply walked the short distance to the fence, stuck his hand through the rails and touched mum’s behind and then got back on the swing.
My three year old out-smarted me because I made the assumption that you had to go through the gate. He didn’t. He saw the task quite simply for what it was and didn’t get caught up in any pre-conceived ideas.
So next time you’re working on a project or an idea ask yourself what assumptions are you making? What conclusions are you jumping to at the outset of the creative process which will hold you back? Let’s get them out in the open now, avoid them and move on.
The point is - beware of making assumptions.
Last month we spoke about parameters but assumptions are very different from parameters because parameters are the boundaries and rules to work within; they are very concrete and real - whereas assumptions are not real or stated, but subjective. Interestingly, if it’s not listed as a parameter then the chances are you’re making an assumption.
Remember: let go of your assumptions and pre-conceived notions and just let your mind go on a creative jaunt and come up with as many uninhibited ideas as it likes.
Nigel is author of ‘Think Bits’ and conducts creative thinking workshops. More information can be found at www.thinkbits.com.au. As well as presenting he also runs Nigel Collin Creative a creative services company.
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