Mindset Monday - Shave With Hanlon’s Razor

Hanlon’s Razor is an aphorism - Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Or to put it another way, don’t assume people’s actions are evil or out to hurt you, it’s just that they don’t know any better.

All too often our stress isn’t caused so much by what someone has done, but our reaction to it, and what we tell ourselves are the reasons why they did that.

In the moment, it’s hard not to think other people are acting out to get you, or to hurt you, or to make your life difficult. But when we take a moment to breathe, and consider that they may not know the impact their words or actions are having, we’re less likely to suffer in our minds.

Remember, how often do we act in the way that deliberately tries to harm someone else? Are our own hurtful actions ever motivated by a story that they deserved it? Or that in the moment we simply forgot to consider the impact it might have on them?

This week, when you notice yourself frustrated or annoyed with people, apply Hanlon’s Razor and ask if what they did was motivated out of spite or simply ignorance?

Let me know how you get on 😊

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