Assuming Quote by Donald M. Nelson
“We must stop assuming that a thing which has never been done before probably cannot be done at all.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, 20th century business talk
Assuming impossibility stifles innovation and progress.
In simple terms: Never assume something can't be done because it's never been done before.
Key Takeaway
Challenge assumptions and experiment.
Themes
innovation
risk
mindset
Mood
cautious
optimistic
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- product development
- research labs
- startup pitches
- policy making
Key Concepts
entrepreneurship
creativity
growth mindset
Questions to Reflect On
- What would happen if you tried something truly new?
- How can you test feasibility before dismissing an idea?
A Different Perspective
Assumptions may ignore practical constraints or resource limits.
