I was at a training a few weeks ago and the instructor used these two words, context and calibrated, when we were discussing connecting meaning together. This blew my mind!

Early this year I wrote about Assessment Tests and my general disliking of them. Context and calibrated connected the dots for me as to why I dislike them. The problem is that these types of tests have absolutely no way of measuring circumstances preceding or even following a behavior that would allow it to be fully understood and assessed. Furthermore, there is no way for them to take external factors into account and adjust accordingly.

Like most things in my life, I just know when something isn’t “right” or is “wrong.” I can rarely back up that knowing when I first become aware of it but somewhere, someday, somehow I almost always confirm that knowing. Context and calibrated. Ahhh…

I think we could all benefit by incorporating these into our lives. Before we judge others or ourselves, it might do us a lot of good to remember to fully understand and adjust accordingly. When we assume or neglect to take other data into account, we risk making snap judgments and decisions.

We live in a society full of these things. Someone cuts you off on the highway…you quickly jump to judge them as horrible drivers and maybe even think they did it simply to piss you off. What if we stopped for a moment to consider other circumstances and adjust our thought.

• Maybe the person just got word that their spouse was being rushed to the emergency room after collapsing at work.
• Maybe their car was malfunctioning and they were trying to avoid an accident.
• Maybe they will lose their job if they are late to work.
• Maybe they just didn’t see you.
• Maybe…this list could go on forever…

Context and Calibrated

The thing is without context and calibration, we simply can’t know what is happening either with someone else or even ourselves. So what do we do? Either take the time to fully understand and adjust or simply let it go by. Why waste your time and energy on assumptions and subsequent snap decisions? Life is too short.

As for the assessment tests, take them if you like but remember that they are an incomplete tool with which to make decisions. Context and calibrate.