Assumptions

During a manic period last week, I attempted to excuse myself for not staying in touch by explaining to my Grandmom that I barely had time to keep anyone informed about anything.

She pointed out that I had time to write a one line email to Mom. Why not send her the note, too?

Here’s the thing – I temporarily forgot that my Grandmom has an iPad and checks her email every day! She has been doing so for a year now. But, I do not think of her as such. It’s a flawed assumption or mental image.

I guess parents experience this as their kids grow up. I remember smiling myself at a workshop when an executive asserted that this “internet” stuff didn’t work for practitioners in his industry. But, here I was.. doing exactly that.

I apologized. I realized I need to keep up with my Grandmom’s growth.. Nice life learning.

The questions – how many such outdated assumptions or mental images do we hold – of family, friends, customers and colleagues?

Are they keeping us from building better relationships?