# Assuming positive intent Created On: 07-07-2023 10:20 am Up:: [[Philosophy of Self (MOC)]] Tags:: #note/evergreen🌲 Topics:: [[Relationships (MOC)]], Related:: [[Assuming negative intent]] (opposite), [[Blameless retro]] --- That people are doing the best that they can given what they know in any given moment. This way of thinking should bring about an automatic outward view of people that they are doing the best of their ability and making the right decisions based on the resources and the information they have available to them at this time. That [[People aren't inherently bad]] and we should avoid projecting our emotions, such as hurt, pain, confusion, onto them, but strive to love them and have an inherent desire to understand how and why their behavior is manifesting in this way and how we can aid them. This turns an immediate and initial "critical" or negative perspective into one of [[thoughtfulness]] and [[Mindfulness (MOC)|mindfulness]] for others that is born from deep [[Empathy (MOC)|empathy]]. Because, if we choose to [[Assuming negative intent|assume negative intent]], we're labeling ([[Once you label me you negate me]]) them and casting them in a negative light in our mind, which robs us of the opportunity of authentically caring, loving, and [[Coaching (MOC)|coaching]] them: we cast them aside for the sake of protecting our [[Ego (Psyche)]]. This formation of basis marks the trajectory of how we think and act toward that person, not only in this specific moment, but in future; if we establish a negative narrative, why should we think this won't go internally unchallenged? Therefore, ==always assume positive intent==. --- There's something relevant here: [[You always own the option of having no opinion]] #note/develop🏗️