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How to Be Less Judgmental

Understanding and challenging the exhausting habit of being overly critical can improve your relationships—and your quality of life.

Corrie Evanoff

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

The concepts of “good” and “bad” judgment are tricky to navigate. Making snap judgments can help us make important survival decisions, but most of us also pass judgment in a way that doesn’t exactly benefit our personal well-being—or others.

So how do we cut down on the unproductive type of judgment? Fostering more empathy and practicing mindfulness is a start. Behavioral scientists generally agree that healthier judgment begins with cultivating self-compassion, rejecting snobbery, and easing up on certain snap decision-making processes.

Read on for expert tips on how to make decisions that are better rooted in fact, while also giving yourself and others a little extra grace.

Other People Don’t Think You’re a Mess

Individuals often overestimate how harshly others judge them. But self-compassion can help build a more balanced, healthy perspective.

How to Stop ‘Shoulding’ Yourself

Experts give some pointers on how to cultivate more grace and self-compassion so you can truly thrive in life.

You’re Probably Not As Open-Minded As You Think. Here’s How To Practice [LISTEN]

We’d all like to think we’re open to new ideas and curious about how others see the world. But our brains aren’t wired that way—in fact, being open-minded takes some conscious practice.

Negative Self-Talk: 5 Ways to Silence Your Toxic Inner Critic

Stuck in a negative self-talk spiral? Here’s what you can do about.

Before You Answer, Consider the Opposite Possibility

Pushing yourself to listen to contrary opinions is the way to make better judgments.

BONUS READ: Live Like the Ancient Cynics via The Atlantic.

The Cognitive Biases Tricking Your Brain

Science suggests we’re hardwired to delude ourselves. Can we do anything about it?

We All Make Snap First Impressions About Each Other—Here’s How to Slow Down [WATCH]

Taking a moment to pause and really look at the other person can help us all avoid embarrassment and hurt feelings, says youth empowerment activist Quita Christison.

How to Recognize You’re Being a Judgmental Jerk (and What to Do About It)

Do you use words like: better than, right, wrong, lazy, or unambitious to describe your coworkers or managers? If so, you may be hurting your career progress.

BONUS READ: Want To Be Happier and More Successful? Learn To Like Other People via Fast Company.

Illusion of Transparency: Your Poker Face is Better Than You Think

We tend to think that people can easily tell what we’re thinking and feeling. They can’t. Understanding the illusion of transparency bias can improve relationships, job performance, and more.

BONUS READ: Hanlon’s Razor: Relax, Not Everything is Out to Get You via Farnam Street.

Why Overly Kind and Moral People Can Rub You up the Wrong Way

‘Do-gooders’ are often judged harshly. Why do we resent their acts of altruism or question their motives?

The Falsification Mindset: How to Change Your Own Mind

A simple practice to boost intelligence, avoid cognitive bias, and prove your own ideas wrong.

BONUS READ: Changing Your Mind Can Make You Less Anxious via The Atlantic.

The Elements of Good Judgment

How to improve your decision-making.