How assumptions and expectations can rock your boat?
It was a rainy summer day. There were a lot of passengers waiting on the pier to get on. At the front of the queue I’ve noticed a young couple. They took the window seat and bought a glass of prosecco each. Blissfully unaware of children running around them. When they’ve finished their drink, they put on waterproof clothing and headed to the top deck to admire the natural beauty of the Lake District.
On the exactly same trip there was a family of 6, grandparents, parents and 2 children. They were waiting at the back of the queue. By the time they got in, the boat was full, there were empty seats but only on the top deck. The children were screaming as they didn’t want to be out in the rain, although the top deck is sheltered. Grandparents fancied a hot drink but as there wasn’t a free table, they didn’t bother. Mum and Dad were ready for a glass of wine and a cold beer but as the bar is downstairs and there was a bit of a queue, they didn’t bother either. There was a lot of stress and arguing and by the time they settled in the trip was over.
Same day, same boat completely different experience caused by assumptions and expectations not always based on reality.
Here are some facts.
The Lake District is one of the wettest parts of England so it will rain even during summer.
The Lake cruises are in the top 10 visited attraction in the UK, there will be lots of tourists in the area.
Our boat holds over 500 passengers, the queues are unavoidable.
Summer school holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, there will be children running around enjoying themselves.
We make assumptions about people, work, family, holiday, politics etc., we then create expectations based on those assumptions. It’s like building a castle on sand.
Assuming does not equal knowing.
Don’t let these assumptions and expectations rock your boat.
On the exactly same trip there was a family of 6, grandparents, parents and 2 children. They were waiting at the back of the queue. By the time they got in, the boat was full, there were empty seats but only on the top deck. The children were screaming as they didn’t want to be out in the rain, although the top deck is sheltered. Grandparents fancied a hot drink but as there wasn’t a free table, they didn’t bother. Mum and Dad were ready for a glass of wine and a cold beer but as the bar is downstairs and there was a bit of a queue, they didn’t bother either. There was a lot of stress and arguing and by the time they settled in the trip was over.
Same day, same boat completely different experience caused by assumptions and expectations not always based on reality.
Here are some facts.
The Lake District is one of the wettest parts of England so it will rain even during summer.
The Lake cruises are in the top 10 visited attraction in the UK, there will be lots of tourists in the area.
Our boat holds over 500 passengers, the queues are unavoidable.
Summer school holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, there will be children running around enjoying themselves.
We make assumptions about people, work, family, holiday, politics etc., we then create expectations based on those assumptions. It’s like building a castle on sand.
Assuming does not equal knowing.
Don’t let these assumptions and expectations rock your boat.
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