We live in a world of labels. We label everything from products to people. But labels are lazy. They’re a way of simplifying the world around us, and they often do more harm than good.
When we label someone, we assume who they are and how they’ll behave. But people are complex creatures, and we can’t always predict how they’ll act.
For example, let’s say you label someone as “lazy.” This label might lead you to expect that they won’t put in much effort. But what if they’re going through a tough time? What if they’re dealing with a personal issue making it difficult to focus?
Labels can also be harmful because they can limit our expectations of people. If we label someone as “creative,” we might expect them to develop new ideas continually. But what if they’re not feeling creative right now? What if they need some time to recharge?
So what’s the solution? Simple. Stop labeling people. Instead, focus on the individual. Pay attention to their behavior and their actions. Don’t make assumptions about who they are or how they’ll behave.
As Seth Godin said, “Labels are lazy. They’re a way of simplifying the world around us, but they often do more harm than good.” So let’s all start being more mindful of the labels we use. Let’s stop making assumptions about people and start seeing them for who they really are.
