When it comes to taking action, many people just don't...

Because they are guided by less than useful assumptions.

Here are some examples of less than useful assumptions:

"Why go to the networking event, the last three were not productive."

"Writing an article won't get me significant business."

"I don't think she'll give me any referrals, so why risk asking?"

"I can't significantly increase my income, so why try?"

And the list goes on.

All the above are assumptions, and here is where "The Salt Test" comes in:

Thomas Edison is reported to "testing" anyone he was thinking about hiring. He would invite them to have a bowl of soup with them...and anyone adding salt without first tasting the soup failed his test.

Edison didn't trust anyone making decisions based upon unfounded assumptions. How did they know the soup need more salt? They couldn't...unless they tasted it first.

The lessons for us?

1) Test everything instead of making assumptions. The only way we can know what will happen by taking an action step is to take that action and pay attention to the results. Making unfounded assumptions (not testing and gathering information) that keeps us from taking action is the riskiest of all behaviors.

I call it "Premature Closure." Making a decision without adequate information.

2) Assumptions are merely "beliefs" in disguise. Our beliefs drive our behavior. It's worth our time and effort to examine our assumptions/beliefs. The next time you are assuming something, realize you have a belief that is going to propel you to either take action or to procrastinate on taking action. If it is in your best interest to take action, examine your assumption/belief very carefully before submitting to it. How do you know that your asking for referrals will be met with a "no?" You don't, do you? So, why not test your assumption? Better yet, test it many times before coming to any conclusions.

3) Why not assume in the direction of your success? Why not assume that taking an action will be beneficial, and more so as you improve your skill in whatever action you are taking? Instead of assuming that your action won't do any good, why not assume that it will put you much further down the road! And while you're at it, why not assume that taking the action step will be far easier and much more enjoyable than you could ever imagine?

In other words, if we are going to assume something, why not assume in a manner that tips the scales in our favor?

There are other lessons to be learned from "The Salt Test." I'll assume that you will give some thought to that and use your new discoveries to your advantage.

Alan Allard
http://www.alanallard.com