top of page
Writer's pictureUğur Gürbüz

Transforming Your Thinking: Three Steps to Move from Judgment to Understanding

"The important this is not to judge, but to understand." Baruch Spinoza


Recently, I have come to recognize the profound role that this sentence plays in reprogramming my mental patterns. When faced with any situation, I frequently ask myself this question: "Is this a judgment, or am I striving to understand the situation or the person?"

This approach involves three key steps:


  • Step 1: Asking the Question. This step is relatively straightforward, as it simply involves posing the question to oneself. However, it marks the beginning of a deeper introspective process.

  • Step 2: Expanding Awareness to Understand. This step is somewhat more challenging. It involves enhancing one's awareness to grasp the underlying dynamics of the situation or person. It requires a deliberate effort to see beyond superficial judgments and to engage with a deeper level of understanding.

  • Step 3: Establishing a New Mental Pattern. This is the most demanding step. It entails ingraining a new way of thinking into the mind so that it becomes an automatic response. Achieving this requires continuous practice and perseverance, as it involves reshaping deeply ingrained mental habits.


I believe that this approach is invaluable for enhancing our soft skills, such as communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. By transcending mere judgments and fostering a deeper comprehension, we embark on a journey of inner transformation. This, in turn, enables us to forge more meaningful and authentic connections in both our personal and professional relationships.

20 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Komentáře


bottom of page