It is hard to understand other people, make friends, and resolve relationship problems if you feel self-righteous all the time.You have already taken the first step towards fixing the problem if you have realized you are too self-righteous.Staying humble about your own viewpoints, forming deeper connections with other people, and avoiding biased thoughts are all ways to adjust your attitude.
Step 1: Look at the world through someone else's eyes.
Think about what life is like for someone you are looking at.Do you know how they are feeling or what they need right now?Think about how their circumstances have shaped their philosophy.Someone who has always lived in a big city may see the world differently than someone from a small town.
Step 2: Get to know people.
Instead of judging people, reach out and say hello.Introduce yourself to people from different walks of life.You will have an easier time understanding why people act and think the way they do if you are friendly and curious.
Step 3: Listen with care.
Focus on understanding the other person when you are having a conversation.Pay attention to their body language, tone of voice, and emotions.Don't judge while you listen.Even if you don't agree, do your best to see where they are coming from.Say something like "Then what happened?" or "Mm-hmm" when you are paying attention to the other person.
Step 4: Stay focused on common ground.
If you think about how someone is different from you, you might think you are better than them.Try to find ways to be the same.You are less likely to feel self-righteous towards someone if you feel like they are on your team.Maybe you and a new friend can connect over your love of mystery novels, or maybe you both came from large families.
Step 5: If someone has hurt you, forgive them.
Don't carry around a self-righteous grudge if you have hurt someone.Bitterness and resentment only hurt the person who hurt you.Think about how you might have handled the situation if you had seen it from their point-of-view.Consider whether the person really meant to hurt you, or if they were just acting in an inconsiderate or shortsighted way.
Step 6: You should ask yourself why you judge people.
Think about the circumstances and emotions that make you feel righteous.This can be difficult to answer, so be honest with yourself.People are judgmental when they feel inferior.It is possible to judge others for having a negative trait that you possess and dislike in yourself, even if you are not aware of it.When you feel envious of others, you might judge them.You may want to find a better way to deal with your feelings if you are judging someone because they have hurt you.Talk to the person about the situation.
Step 7: You should learn to see the middle ground.
It is easy to feel self-righteous when you see the world in black-and-white terms, but very few things are all good or all bad.If you're comfortable with the idea that your own way of thinking probably has some flaws, then it's probably a good way to think.It's a good idea to talk to a lot of different people.You can debate with yourself.Think of an idea you support, like Cats make better pets than dogs, and then come up with some reasons people might disagree with you.
Step 8: Don't stereotype people.
If you overgeneralize about other people, you might end up writing them off.You should get to know them as individuals.You might be surprised at how much variation there is between people.If your workplace just hired a new boss, don't think, "She must be uptight." Wait and see what she's like in person.
Step 9: If your judgements are based on fact or emotion, ask.
If you feel strongly about something, it's a good idea to fact-check it.You might have distorted thinking patterns if you don't temper your feelings with facts.There are some examples of overly-emotional thinking.If your friend forgets your birthday, you think she doesn't care about you.You are thinking that this is the end of our friendship.Try talking to a friend if you are upset.They may be able to help you process your emotions.
Step 10: Do not think in terms of what you should do.
Do you have clear-cut ideas about how you should act?When other people don't live the way you think they should, you can feel self-righteous.Instead of telling yourself that you should eat vegetables tonight, tell yourself you could eat them tonight.I wonder if I can figure it out.
Step 11: Assert your own.
Stand up for yourself, but don't try to tear other ideas down in the discussion.Every time you disagree with someone, you don't have to win.Tell the other person why you disagree with them.A lot of minor disagreements are not worth getting worked up about.If you agree to disagree, you will save your energy.
Step 12: Accept that people do things differently.
Don't expect people to do things exactly like you because there is no right way to accomplish most things.Neither of you is better than the other if your method works for you.If the end result is a clean kitchen, then it doesn't really matter if you and your spouse clean the kitchen differently.
Step 13: You probably aren't as superior as you think you are.
People underestimate their abilities.It is possible to feel like you are better than other people even though it is just an illusion.Be aware of your biases and be honest with yourself about your bad and good qualities.
Step 14: Try not to change other people.
Self-righteous people try to bring others around to their way of thinking, but this won't work.People shouldn't feel pressured to give up their own ideas for the sake of fitting someone else's preferences.Accept other people's way of life, and live out your ideals proudly.If you are passionate about the environment and your family is not, don't force them to become like you.Volunteer for community clean-ups if you want to focus on what you can do yourself.