Definition: Assumptions are beliefs we create based on past experiences, making us act like we know the answer before actually analyzing the problem.Example: I assume my friend didn’t text back because they’re mad at me, instead of considering they might be busy.Application: Challenge assumptions by flipping the script. Instead of, “What do I think is true?” ask, “What if the opposite is true?” If you’re stuck, brainstorm the opposite of each assumption. Mind-blowing revelations often happen here 🤯.

2️⃣ Assumptions

Definition: Expectations are the answers we’re already looking for, blinding us from seeing what’s really happening.Example: I expect people to understand my joke right away, and if they don’t laugh, I think they’re boring—missing the fact I might not have set it up well.Application: Go into problem-solving without expecting any particular result. Practice this with friends: try seeing each situation from multiple angles before forming an opinion. It’s like discovering different views in a mirror maze 🔍.

3️⃣ Expectations

"The answers you’re looking for are often right in front of you; you just have to see them differently." 🌈

Misconception: <ul><li>You might be assuming that talking to them again won’t help, or that taking over their work is your only option.</li></ul>Definition: A misconception is when we believe something is true based on a misread situation.Example: “If they haven’t done it by now, they’ll never do it. I have to finish the whole project myself.”Application: Reassess: what if they actually need help but are too afraid to ask? The answer could be to offer them a small task that breaks down the big work without overwhelming them.

1. "The Answer in Plain Sight"

Scenario Problem: “The Messy Friend Conflict”<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You’ve got a big project to submit in two days, and your friend is supposed to contribute half of the work. But they haven't done anything yet, and they keep giving excuses. You know they’re your friend, but if this project isn’t done, your grades are at risk. How do you solve this without ruining the friendship or failing the project?</li></ul>

LET'S TRY IT! 🔍

Limited Expectation:<ul><li>You expect a direct confrontation to be messy, so you’re avoiding it.</li></ul>Definition: An expectation is a preset idea of what will happen.Example: “Talking to them will just lead to an argument or make things awkward.”Application: Change your expectations: instead of a lecture, approach it as a friendly check-in. Say, “Hey, I know you’ve been busy. Do you want me to help with a part so we can finish together?”

3. "Expectation"

Instead of stressing and doing everything yourself, you discover that a 10-minute chat could lead to splitting up the tasks more effectively, saving your friendship and the project. It’s all about changing your approach to see the solutions hidden in plain sight.

ANSWER

False Assumption:<ul><li>You assume their excuses mean they don’t care, but this might not be true.</li></ul>Definition: An assumption is a belief taken for granted, often without real evidence.Example: “They’re just lazy, and they don’t value this project like I do.”Application: Shift your assumptions. Instead of assuming they don’t care, consider that they might be stressed or confused about the work. Try giving them an easy section or a list of tasks to start with.

2. "Assumption"

Imagine solving any problem like a magician—pulling answers out of thin air 🪄! TEDx speaker Collins Key reveals three psychological tricks magicians use to solve problems with ease. Here’s the crazy part: every solution is hiding in plain sight. All you need are three game-changing principles: Misconceptions, Assumptions, and Expectations. Let's dive into each one, in a way that actually sticks, so you can transform your thinking (and impress friends with your new problem-solving superpowers 😏).

🔥INTRODUCTION

Rethink Misconceptions - Reflect on whether you’re judging them too harshly. Realize the issue might not be laziness; maybe they need help understanding the project.Question Assumptions - Check your assumption that they won’t contribute. You could even ask directly, “Is there anything you’re stuck on?”Change Expectations - Go into the conversation with an open mind and a positive outcome in mind. Offer ways to break down the project and make it doable for both of you.

STEPS (guide)

Definition: Misconceptions are mental shortcuts where we expect hard problems to have hard solutions—tricking us into overthinking and missing simple answers.Example: I need to do a project but think I have to learn 10 new skills, instead of breaking down what I actually need.Application: When you face a problem, ask, “Am I complicating this?” Force yourself to simplify by asking, “What’s the simplest thing I could try first?” 👀 Test it, and adjust from there.

1️⃣ Misconceptions

Magicians know: the obvious answers are often overlooked because of how we’re wired to think. To find solutions, we need to challenge how we see things, throw out assumptions, and keep our expectations in check. Each stash below shows you how to do this, like flipping on a switch 💡, to make problems disappear.

The answer to EVERY problem is hiding in plain sight! This is an education & entertainment focused TEDx Talk by Collins Key, who gained national notoriety for becoming the first magician to become a finalist on America’s Got Talent and is currently one the world’s biggest family / children friendly comedy YouTube influencers with over 8 million subscribers where he uploads viral videos and teaches his millions of fans how to make fun comedy and humor DIY food experiments / technology life hack.

In this engaging performance Collins Key breaks down learning the surprising secret that solves your problems quickly by using the art form of magic and explains that the answer to every problem is hiding in plain sight. The only question left to learn in this TED talk is, do you see it? Collins Key, with 6.5M+subscribers, is one of the fastest growing channels on YouTube having gone from 1M to 6M subscribers in less than a year. His unique blend of viral trends and family friendly content makes his channel unlike any other with over 100M views in the last 30 days alone.

At the age of 17, he was the first magician to be voted into the finals in 8 Seasons of America’s Got Talent. On the show, he completely changed the perception people have of magic with his innovative style and mind-blowing performances. Soon after, he embarked on a 30-city tour opening for Demi Lovato in front of 12,000 to 15,000 screaming fans a night, something a magician had never done before. His record-breaking and award-winning scripted series with AT&T, The Disappearing Girl, showcased his brilliant innovation and a new way to partner with brands.  And recently Collins and his brother have been featured on the Disney Channel. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

education

Learning & Education

business

Business

creativity

Creativity

videos

Videos

humanresources

Human Resources

TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere -- celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED's format and rules.

TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-talks-usage-policy). 

For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request here: https://media-requests.ted.com.

COLLINS KEY

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