--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We simply assume that the way we see…" description: "\"We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these ass..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/387/stephen-covey-339_assuming_we-simply-assume-that-the-way-we-see-thi_2482525.png" --- # We simply assume that the way we see things is the way… ![“We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these assumptions.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/387/stephen-covey-339_assuming_we-simply-assume-that-the-way-we-see-thi_2482525.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/387/stephen-covey-339_assuming_we-simply-assume-that-the-way-we-see-thi_2482525.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/387/stephen-covey-339_assuming_we-simply-assume-that-the-way-we-see-thi_2482525.png) > “We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these assumptions.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our perception shapes reality; assumptions drive attitudes and actions. **In simple terms:** Beliefs influence behavior. Key Takeaway Question your assumptions. Themes perception mindset behavior Mood reflective inquisitive Type self-help philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - leadership training - conflict resolution - team building Key Concepts cognitive bias self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions guide your decisions? - How do you test their validity? A Different Perspective Assumptions can be inaccurate, leading to misjudgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assuming/) [Assumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumption/) [Assumptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumptions/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Behaviors Grow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behaviors-grow-879430/) [Grow Assumptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grow-assumptions-879428/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Positive behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-behavior/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Simply Assume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply-assume-879429/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Attitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-attitudes-879431/) ## Related quotes > [Life is in favor of those who are blessed with emotional intelligence, self-restraint, prudence, and positive behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-in-favor-of-those-who-are-blessed-with-emotional-intelligence/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think that Americans should gradually begin to adopt positive behavior rather than doing evil. They should not expect an immediate reaction in return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-hashemi-rafsanjani/i-think-that-americans-should-gradually-begin-to-adopt-positive/) [Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-hashemi-rafsanjani/) > [“Research shows that if you start your week off with good routines (things like going to the gym), you're more likely to keep up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-doland/research-shows-that-if-you-start-your-week-off-with-good-routines/) [Erin Doland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-doland/) > [Attitude determines how well you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/attitude-determines-how-well-you-do-it/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Keep my word positive. Words become my behaviors. Keep my behaviors positive. Behaviors become my habits. Keep my habits positive. Habits become my values.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/keep-my-word-positive-words-become-my-behaviors-keep-my-behaviors/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Simplicity has power. Founding our life on constructive, positive behavior is the simplest, most direct, and powerful approach I've ever found-simple, but not easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/simplicity-has-power-founding-our-life-on-constructive-positive/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [“While it is positive for young black males and females to learn discipline and self-responsibility, those attitudes, values, and habits of being can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/while-it-is-positive-for-young-black-males-and-females-to-learn/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Guilt rarely results in positive behavior. But gratitude? Great things flow from a heart of gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/guilt-rarely-results-in-positive-behavior-but-gratitude-great-things/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [If you stay in that new flow of positive behavior, it's hard to revert back to old patterns. But if you do fall off,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-bernstein/if-you-stay-in-that-new-flow-of-positive-behavior-it-s-hard-to-revert/) [Gabrielle Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-bernstein/) > [Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/keep-your-behavior-positive-because-your-behavior-becomes-your-habits/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“I once complained to my father that I didn’t seem to be able to do things the same way other people did. Dad’s advice?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kaufman/i-once-complained-to-my-father-that-i-didn-t-seem-to-be-able-to-do/) [Margo Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kaufman/) > [Stop being a critic and be a light; don't be a judge, be a model. I think we are far too critical. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-covey/stop-being-a-critic-and-be-a-light-don-t-be-a-judge-be-a-model-i/) [Sean Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-covey/) > [“Thinking that you are good can make you bad. Talking about positive behavior can encourage negative behavior. Laozi is clearly on to something when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-slingerland/thinking-that-you-are-good-can-make-you-bad-talking-about-positive/) [Edward Slingerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-slingerland/) > [“It is easier for most of us to affirm positive behavior than to deal with negative behavior in a positive way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-norman-wright/it-is-easier-for-most-of-us-to-affirm-positive-behavior-than-to-deal/) [H. Norman Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-norman-wright/) > [There was a lot of stress and assumptions made without me even saying anything, which was very upsetting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-stevens/there-was-a-lot-of-stress-and-assumptions-made-without-me-even-saying/) [Craig Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-stevens/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Assuming quotes > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) [James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/) > [Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/everyone-assumes-writers-spend-their-time-lounging-around-writing-and/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [One must believe that every living thing whatsoever must change insensibly in its organization and in its form... One must therefore never expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-lamarck/one-must-believe-that-every-living-thing-whatsoever-must-change/) [Jean-Baptiste Lamarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-lamarck/) > [I think the biggest problem working with me would be that I'm an only child, and so I have an internal dialogue that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-think-the-biggest-problem-working-with-me-would-be-that-i-m-an-only/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [People just assume that if you're famous, you're in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/people-just-assume-that-if-you-re-famous-you-re-in-hollywood/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [Humans suffer from self-centred notions as to the nature of life. Humans assume that alien life forms should conform to standards that match our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-perry/humans-suffer-from-self-centred-notions-as-to-the-nature-of-life/) [Steve Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-perry/) > [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. We make clothes, but we have the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-rousteing/we-can-use-our-art-to-become-political-to-become-something-you-want/) [Olivier Rousteing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-rousteing/) > [Everyone seems to assume that the unscrupulous parts of journalism will be the frivolous or jocular parts. This is against all ethical experience. Jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/everyone-seems-to-assume-that-the-unscrupulous-parts-of-journalism/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) [Browse all 2,452 Assuming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assuming/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. 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