There’s a brain function that most of us have that I call AMS. AMS stands for

• Assumption: We think about something weâ??re going to do or say and decide what the outcome will be.
• Manipulation: Then we do or say it in a way that forces a given response or action.
• Self-fulfilling prophesy: This brings us full circle to back to the original assumption and we then say to ourselves, â??I knew this would happen if I did/said [whatever].â??

This can be a good thing when you think how much you can accomplish, the objections you can overcome, the minds you can change to flow in synch with your own and many people do use it this way (think the power of positive thinking, actualization, etc.).

But the kicker is that for some reason we tend to indulge in AMS far more often when we expect the worst.

I’ve found that AMS is a frequent contributor, if not the actual basis, for many of the miscommunications and misunderstandings that happen both in and out of the workplace.

It’s easy to say stop doing it, but how do you stop words and actions that aren’t even on a conscious plane? By heightening your awareness and bringing them up to conscious level.

• First think about the response you want and be sure that it passes a reality check;
• then think about the response you expect and see how closely it matches your want;
• if they aren’t in sync make whatever adjustments are necessary and revise your presentation accordingly.

The reality check is a critical part of the process because there’s no way to finesse an impossible outcome. If your want doesn’t pass then you need to adjust it and not use AMS as the excuse for not achieving/doing it.

If you’re getting the impression that I think itâ??s all in your mindâ??I do. At much as ninety percent of any subject is how you think about itâ??conscious, objective, self-aware thinking. Itâ??s amazing how often people start by doing, and when that doesnâ??t work, they try thinkingâ??kind of like the old joke, â??When all else fails, read the directions.â??

So although thinking may be the key to working smart the most brilliant thinking in the world is worthless without that minimum ten percent action that makes it happen.

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