12/14 Mental Toughness Thursday

As part of our professional development, we coaches just finished reading The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. We met this week to discuss the Third Agreement: Don't Make Assumptions. 
Ruiz presents the problem with assumption as this:

"We have the tendency to make assumptions about everything. The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. We could swear they are real. We make assumptions about what others are doing or thinking - and we take it personally - then we blame them and react by sending emotional poison with our word. That is why when we make assumptions, we're asking for problems. We make an assumption, we misunderstand, we take it personally, and we end up creating a whole big drama for nothing."

The way avoid assumptions is to ask questions. A simple, "What's up?" can go a long way to reducing misunderstanding and drama. A gentle, "I'm sorry you're upset/angry/sad. Can I help?" can smooth the waters in turbulent communication. 
As coaches, we work to avoid assumptions about attitudes and responses to the workouts, our cues, or our corrections. We try our hardest to not take your responses personally, and understand that you might be scared or nervous about what we're asking you to do. 
As athletes, what assumptions do you tend to make? Which assumptions have you made that have created problems? What assumptions have you believed as truth, only to discover they were not? Share your stories with us in the comments. 

Click Here for The WOD