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In a recent episode of Feel Better, Live More, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee shared a practice that encourages us to set aside these past impressions. He described interacting with his loved ones as though it were the very first time. Imagine meeting someone you know well – a spouse, friend, or colleague – and seeing them fresh, without assumptions or judgments. This shift, as Dr. Chatterjee found, can have a profound effect on our relationships. Option for Action:The practice itself is simple yet transformative. Here’s how to give it a try: Let go of assumptions:
Release any preconceptions about who this person is based on past experiences. Approach with openness and curiosity:
Treat the interaction as though you’re meeting them for the first time. See them in the present moment:
Notice who they are right now, allowing them to show up authentically without labels. Be fully present:
Listen actively, watch closely, and let them reveal new aspects of themselves.
I love this approach for our personal lives, but I also see its value in our work with learners and peers. In our busy lives, it’s easy to categorize people based on a single narrative or past behavior, often without realizing it. But what if, instead of viewing someone as “difficult” or “challenging,” we approached them with curiosity and let go of the story we’ve created about them? What if we watched more closely, asked questions, and allowed space for growth and change? Setting aside assumptions opens up the possibility of discovering something unexpected. It’s freeing for us, and it creates a space where others can surprise us, even teach us. So here’s my invitation: try this practice today. With a learner, a friend, a colleague, or even a stranger. See them as if it’s the first time. Look closer, ask questions, and let go of the labels we sometimes attach. You might be surprised by what you discover.
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