Welcome to the Blooming Mindset, a weekly dose of clarity, mindset, and practical wisdom to help you stay consistent, think more deeply, and build a life aligned with your identity and purpose. I'm Ruth Rieckehoff, and I'm so glad you're here. Please share this newsletter with a friend!
Beloved Architect of Identity,
Last year, we were camping near Yosemite.
No showers at the campsite. (Yes, I know, wild.)
So on day three, when we found a gorgeous alpine lake, my husband decided he was going in. Towel packed. Change of clothes ready. Brave soul.
Me? No way. At over 10,000 feet, that water looked like an ice bath from the underworld.
Right before jumping, he asked:
"This isn’t dangerous, right?"
I laughed.
“Dangerous? What’s going to be in there? A snake? At this altitude? In freezing water?”
So… he jumped.
It was freezing, but fine. He swam, got out, changed, and we moved on.
Fast forward months later, I’m on YouTube researching new trails in the same area. I stumble upon a beautifully filmed video. And then… my jaw dropped.
Because on camera, in that very same lake, was a snake. Swimming casually, as if it owned the place.
Turns out, there’s such a thing as a California alpine snake.
I couldn’t believe it.
I showed my husband. He laughed and said, “So you did know and just let me jump?”
Nope. I just made a confident assumption, that turned out to be completely wrong.
And here’s the kicker: it wasn’t dangerous. Just surprising. But it made me think…
How often do we run our lives or businesses based on assumptions we think are solid, but aren’t?
We assume:
- We already know enough.
- This strategy should work.
- That expert must be right.
But what if the reason things feel stuck isn’t you… Is it that one hidden assumption in your plan that’s wrong?
Sometimes we’re so eager to “jump in the lake” that we don’t stop to ask: Do I really know what’s in there?
That hike taught me something simple:
Validate your assumptions before you bet your energy, money, or confidence on them.
Because the “obvious” is not always obvious.
The upside? When you start questioning your assumptions, you see new opportunities. You notice better strategies. You stop relying on the wrong voices and start learning from the right ones.
That’s when momentum builds.
So here’s my challenge for you this week:
Take one area where you feel stuck, and ask yourself,
What am I assuming here? And what if that assumption is wrong?
Sometimes that single question is all it takes to unlock your next breakthrough.
I’m rooting for you always,
Ruth
Reflect
- What assumptions am I currently making about my work, growth, or audience that I haven’t actually tested?
- Where am I trusting my gut, or someone else’s opinion, without checking the facts?
Reframe
Old belief: If something feels obvious, it must be true.
New belief: If something feels obvious, it’s even more important to validate it.
Actionable Transformation
- List your top 3 assumptions. About your business, your strategy, or your audience. Write them down.
- Validate one this week. Look for data, test a small experiment, or consult someone with specialized expertise.
- Build a “recheck habit.” Every quarter, revisit your core assumptions. Ask: Is this still true? Or is there a snake in the lake I’m ignoring?
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P.S. Funny enough, I’m still not planning to swim in alpine lakes anytime soon 😂. But I am double-checking the “obvious truths” I used to take for granted—in business and in life. If you want more of these bite-sized lessons and mindset shifts, I share daily over on X. Come hang out with me there → Follow me on X.
