You all know what assume spells, and what happens when we assume. Even simple assumptions can have a ripple effect, impacting way more than we know.
My son shared a playlist with me the other day titled “Disney” that contains feel good songs from soundtracks. My wife and I were listening to it and songs from The Greatest Showman (I love that movie) came on. Amanda commented, “I didn’t know this was a Disney movie?”
“It must be,” I responded. “It’s on the Disney playlist.”
And then I realized the problem.
My son just typed in the name of the playlist; it wasn’t authoritative.
Yet, I jumped right to an assumption.
I even perpetuated it to my wife.
Although this is a benign example, it made me realize how even simple assumptions can be easily made, then spread, and even magnified.
How can we become more aware of simple assumptions and protect ourselves and others from making them? And, how can we do it without just playing it safe all the time? I don’t want to qualify everything with a “maybe”, “might”, or “could be.”
Here’s my idea. First, appreciate and acknowledge how easy it is to make assumptions. Try and catch yourself making an assumptions. Then pause, recognize it, and see what you can do different? For example, I went and looked up the Greatest Showman movie to see if it was a Disney movie. It isn’t.
Now that you realize how easy it is to make assumptions, reflect on some of the bigger assumptions you might unknowingly be making. Assumptions about how people think, what they meant when they said something that bothered you, or assumptions about their intent. How often do you make assumptions about others, and then act as if those assumptions are true? Find a time over the next week or two and check yourself before making an assumption. How would it have turned out if you’d acted on the initial assumption?
If you can learn something on a Simple Sunday, chances are Monday will be awesome. Here’s hoping it is!
Brian
Some articles for further reading