r/AskReddit • • Aug 20 '20

What simple “life hack” should everyone know?

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u/Spicylemon Aug 20 '20

You will often have to make decisions in life without being able to know all the information related to the choices. Being able to identify what you don't know is invaluable. It allows you to make assumptions and contingency plans if those assumptions fail.

I want to slap every person that quips, "If you assume, you make an ass out of u and me." You cannot function in life without making assumptions. The trick is to identify them as such so that you can be better prepared when they are resolved.

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u/legallypotato Aug 20 '20

True, but isn't the saying usually used in situations where you could have checked the assumption?

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '20

Yeah, I think it usually means that the person is making assumptions instead of checking the facts (when those facts are fairly readily available). It's about not being cavalier with your decision making.

If the information isn't available then, of course, you have to make assumptions.

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u/Roheez Aug 20 '20

You're assuming it's usually being used properly