“We judge ourselves mostly by our intentions, but others judge us mostly by our actions.” – Eric Harvey and Alexander D. Lucia
How many times have we found ourselves assuming we know why someone else said or did something? We say things like “They’re just jealous,” or “They must not like you.” But in reality, how do we really know what they are thinking?
Others will make judgments about us in the same manner. Maybe we find ourselves saying “that’s not what I meant” or “those we not my intentions.” After all, we know what was really on our minds – why we said or did something.
The good news is that we all have the opportunity to create change in this area. When it comes to others, assume the best. Give them the benefit of the doubt. No one likes others coming down on them over a simple mistake.
And when it comes to our actions and words, remember that others will judge us by what they can see and hear, not what our intentions are.
So ask yourself if your words and actions match your intentions.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
The big thing that has helped me is to assume positive intent on the part of the other person. Great post!
Tom, that really is a big thing – it takes practice, for sure!
Brian Tracy talks about being an “Inverse Paranoid” in his “Pathways Toward Personal Progress”