Theory of Mind: A person's ability to create theories about other's minds (i.e. "I think, she thinks...")
Everyone develops this way of thinking and it becomes instinct to factor in other's intentions and motives. However, we're not always correct in our theories and acting off of them will get you into more trouble. When your pseudo-world doesn't align with the actual world, you panic..you get in trouble. So where do you go from there.
The next step is to face reality. What's actually going on? People don't expect you to read their minds. If you approach them in a logical way they'll, most likely, approach you in the same way. This is a great rule of thumb for acquaintances, colleagues, and non-immediate family (you get the point).
For me, the rules change when the nature of the relationship changes. When it comes to the people I love, I base many of my actions on my theories. I depend on the fact that I know this person, this person that I hold close to my heart (and there aren't many). I do this because it's my way of showing affection--factoring in intention and acting with emotion rather than ignoring the emotion and acting under pure logic. This is who I am and I'm going to attribute it to a number of experiences in my past and in the present.
I am a communication major. I study people and often people act with one intention and produce another. I factor in all possibilities. This includes, individuals, institutions, culture, history, primal instinct, tradition, etc. Yet in all analyses, there is something missing...intention. I don't mind this so much. Many math and science majors say that they love what they study because there is a definitive answer. There might be more than one way to go about getting the answer, but for the most part, the end is unquestionably clear. Communication isn't like this. We start broad, narrow down, but never really get to the pinpoint...because, everyone is different.
I do and am seeking to adopt the mindset of a UX designer. Thinking about what other people are thinking is my JOB. I actively try to be empathetic and consider how someone would go through a process--the emotions involved, the troubles they encounter. I then try and use my abilities to create a new experience, a better one.
I've always viewed my career as a my life (at least that's what I thought I always wanted). It's easy to juggle work and friends because I can throw in the right amount of empathy (and more) and it wont make me crazy. In fact, Im pretty sure that my life would be smooth sailing...smoother at least. But life isn't always perfect. Choices have tradeoffs. Focus on the positive and remember that the negatives were considered and that you cant just get the "good parts".
