Many of the choices we make in life are based on assumptions—beliefs we take for granted about what is possible or necessary. While some assumptions help us navigate the world efficiently, others can limit our growth and hold us back from achieving our full potential. These “fixed choices” often feel inevitable, as if they are the only options available. However, by questioning them, we can uncover new possibilities and expand our ability to grow. To challenge these assumptions, we do well to engage in self-reflection, seek alternative perspectives, experiment with new approaches, and embrace a mindset of continuous learning.
Identifying and Challenging Assumptions
The first step in questioning our fixed choices is recognizing that they exist. Others may point out misguided assumptions or we may reflect on why we find ourselves doubling down in conflicts and attacking the other person as a way to avoid questioning fixed assumptions we insist on. Many assumptions operate unconsciously, shaping our decisions without our awareness. For example, someone might assume they are “just not good at math” or that “real artists have natural talent,” leading them to avoid trying. To uncover these hidden beliefs, we can ask ourselves questions such as:
• Why do I believe this choice is necessary or unchangeable?
• What evidence supports or contradicts this belief?
• What would happen if I chose differently?
By identifying the assumptions behind our choices, we create an opportunity to challenge them. A person who believes they are bad at math might look at past experiences and realize they never had the right support or teaching methods. Recognizing that their difficulty was not an inherent trait but a circumstance opens the door to trying again with a different approach.
Seeking Alternative Perspectives
Assumptions become fixed when we only consider one perspective. To challenge them, we must expose ourselves to new viewpoints. This can be done by talking to people with different experiences, reading diverse sources, or deliberately questioning societal norms. For example, many people assume they must follow a traditional career path, moving up a single ladder within one field. However, learning about professionals who have successfully switched industries or created unconventional careers can expand our understanding of what is possible.
Seeking alternative perspectives also helps us see that what feels “fixed” is often a result of cultural or environmental influences rather than true limitations. A person who believes “I’m too old to start something new” may find inspiration in stories of older individuals who have launched businesses, learned new skills, or changed careers.
Experimenting with Small Changes
Once we have questioned an assumption, the next step is to test alternative choices. This does not require making drastic changes all at once; small experiments can be just as powerful. For example, someone who assumes they are not creative might start by doodling for five minutes a day. A person who believes they are bad at networking might challenge themselves to have one conversation with a new person each week. These small shifts provide real-world evidence that alternative choices are possible.
Experimentation also reduces the fear of failure that often accompanies big changes. When we see choices as fixed, failure can seem like confirmation of our limits. However, if we treat our choices as experiments, setbacks become opportunities to learn and adjust rather than proof that we cannot succeed.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
At the core of questioning assumptions is adopting a growth mindset—the belief that our abilities, skills, and opportunities can expand with effort and learning. When we hold a fixed mindset, we see our current capabilities as permanent, reinforcing the idea that some choices are simply not available to us. In contrast, a growth mindset allows us to view challenges as opportunities to develop new skills and perspectives.
One way to cultivate a growth mindset is to reframe how we interpret obstacles. Instead of seeing failure as a sign that we are not capable, we can view it as valuable feedback that helps us improve. This shift in perspective encourages us to persist through challenges rather than retreating to familiar but limiting choices.
Conclusion
Fixed choices often feel inevitable, but they are frequently based on unexamined assumptions. By identifying these assumptions, seeking new perspectives, experimenting with small changes, and embracing a growth mindset, we can expand our possibilities and move beyond self-imposed limitations. The process of questioning our choices is not always easy, but it is essential for personal growth and transformation. When we challenge our assumptions, we open ourselves to new opportunities, greater fulfillment, and a life shaped by possibility rather than constraint.