Increase Awareness of Your Inner Judge

Taken from Journal entry:
9th May 2023

Judgments have a way of becoming fixed ideas. We form opinions, draw conclusions, and make decisions based on our perceptions. We judge ourselves, others, circumstances, and even fictional characters.

But to judge is to limit. It creates a rigid framework that feeds fear, stifles creativity, and blocks openness, playfulness, and possibility. When we judge, we unconsciously build barriers—both for ourselves and for those around us.

So what happens when you’re asked to reflect on your own work or the work of others?

Rather than assigning labels like good or bad, I invite you to observe. Engage with the experience before rushing to evaluate it. Be curious. Notice what stands out. Challenge your initial reactions. Stay open to growth and discovery.

Instead of saying:

“It was good.”

“I liked it.”

Or

“That was terrible.”

Try:

“I noticed…”

“I observed…”

“I was focused on…”

Judgment often leads to defensive, “safe” behavior—a way of maintaining control. It fuels the need to prove ourselves, reinforcing fixed beliefs that leave little room for growth, change, or discovery. In an environment where judgment dominates, people feel pressure to justify themselves rather than explore their potential.

But what if we replaced judgment with curiosity? What if we shifted from proving to discovering? That’s where I believe true creativity and transformation begin.

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