Let the pattern complete another repetition before naming it.

A single instance is an event, and it takes repetition before you can honestly call it a pattern. Naming a pattern too early means committing to an interpretation that may be wrong, and once named it is hard to unsee. Waiting for another repetition costs little and prevents a lot of misjudgment.

When you notice something and start to draw a conclusion about a person or situation, hold the conclusion loosely and watch for the next occurrence. Ask what would count as confirmation. Patterns that are real will keep showing up.