Check your assumptions!
Human beings are meaning making machines. We often take 2 + 2 and make it 22, filling in all the missing numbers in our head.
Making assumptions, or mindreading as it is also called, is not always a problem. When I am grocery shopping for example, I will often pick up things that I assume my family will like.
Other times, however, when we make assumptions about what someone is thinking, why they are doing what they are doing or what they are thinking, we need to remind ourselves that it is very possible that our assumptions are wrong.
The only way to know for sure if our assumptions about someones behaviour or thinking is to check them out.
How? Just ask!
"why did you . . ."
"why didn't you . . ."
"am I right in thinking that . . ."
"would love to know your thoughts"
"how do you see this"
"am I right in thinking . . ."
"help me understand . . ."
This week just begin to notice how many times you are assuming what is the motive behind someone's action. And then check your assumptions. You may be very surprised.
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