You can tell a lot about what your mate might be thinking by studying his or her face, posture, gestures, and voice. But even after collecting all that nonverbal information, you’d be hard-pressed to know exactly what you’re mate is thinking. Yet, how many times do you open your mouth and go full steam ahead into a conversation based on what you think you know is in your partner’s mind? I would venture to guess that the answer is, a lot. The hazard in mind-reading in a relationship is that once the person starts it, it becomes contagious. So now you have two people conversing based on what they’re sure the other is thinking. Here are a few helpful hints to prevent you from falling into the mind-reading trap:
- When you start playing an assumption through your mind, notice it and stop the tape in your head.
- Express confusion to your mate and ask for clarification, immediately.
- If you notice your partner attempting to read your mind, be proactive on clarifying your situation or point.
- Make, “I just want to clarify …” a part of your relationship’s vocabulary.
- To learn more about how to avoid mind-reading in a relationship, click here.