False consensus

People have a tendency to assume that others share their beliefs and will behave the same way they do in a given situation.

Which causes many of us to do or say or make things with ourselves in mind—assuming that most people are just like us, and that ostensibly ‘normal people’ will process and respond to things the same way we do.

Of course, this only gets us into trouble.

Because no one knows everything you know. And the stuff they know—stuff they might think is common sense—may not seem so common sensical to you to all.

It’s true. You—and everyone around you—likely overestimate the amount of people who share your choices, your values, your judgments and your worldview.

You are not like them in every way. And they are not like you.

Good news, too. Because it turns out you really are a unique snowflake, after all.