Good judgment is a key factor when it comes to living a happy life. It helps you make decisions that improve your life instead of harming it.
To have good judgement typically means thinking our decisions through. People with that quality do not consider only one perspective. They look deeper into how they have made their past decisions so they can avoid making choices that turn out badly in the future.
Many factors influence whether our decisions are good. People with good judgment ask rare questions to gather information and ensure the best possible results.
If someone has excellent judgment, you can usually tell by these rare questions they ask
1. “Does this relate to my past?”
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Often, our past influences our decisions. We all have certain patterns of behavior that come from our experiences, many of which occurred in our childhood.
People with good judgment don’t ignore how things they went through in the past can affect their decision making now. They look at how they reacted to a situation and what influenced that reaction. They will also consider how their response affected the situation, using their behavioral patterns and how they have worked to make informed decisions about what to do. If their previous actions made things better, they may continue to respond in this way.
2. “What are the long-term consequences?”
Some decisions have a huge impact on our lives. Knowing the extent to which a particular decision can affect you can help you make a good decision, preventing you from being surprised and stressed about the outcome.
People with good judgment look at the big picture. They know a little change can have a great effect. Even for minor decisions, they try to consider how it might affect their family or job.
Our decisions may not immediately affect us. This can make it difficult for people with poorer judgment to understand the connection between a decision and a bad outcome. Therefore, people with good judgment avoid short-term thinking and instead think about what would happen far in the future as a result of their decision.
3. “What’s their side of the story?”
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When someone makes us frustrated or sad, we may want to shut out what they are saying to us. Especially in tense arguments, people tend to stop listening. The problem with this is that fighting to win rarely leads to a positive outcome.
People with good judgment may try to cool their anger in an argument. Without their emotions getting in the way, they can step back and think about why the other person is arguing. This helps them understand their friend’s or partner’s perspective.
Understanding where someone is coming from can help put you even more at ease. It can help people realize that the person they’re fighting with isn’t just yelling to make them feel bad. They are hurting in their own way. This lets people who consider other people’s sides return to the conversation with less aggression, which can help resolve the conflict.
4. “What evidence supports this decision?”
If we’ve never experienced a problem before, we may not have enough information to help us know what to do. Asking others for their ideas can give you the knowledge you don’t have. Their opinions can serve as data or evidence.
When enough people around us reach the same conclusion, it can mean that it is the right choice. Even if not everyone agrees, it can help you weed out ideas that many people consider inappropriate. Especially if that advice comes from an expert in the matter, it is important to consider their opinion. An expert’s research can give you a broader perspective on the situation. You can also become an expert yourself by doing your own research on credible websites.
Yet people of good judgment know you should consider where you get your evidence. If someone wants us to make a particular choice, they may not be giving the most objective and truthful advice.
5. “What can I actually do?”
Some goals feel so big that we don’t know where to start. It might seem impossible to achieve based on where you are now. This can make people feel hopeless. They may want to give up or give in, depending on the situation.
People with good judgment tend to stick to their goals and avoid feeling defeated because they know how to deal with situations that seem impossible to resolve. They think of small steps that can bring them closer to their goals. By creating action-driven steps that are feasible with their current resources, they are more likely to achieve their goals in the future. It prevents them from giving up on their goals when it feels overwhelming.
6. “What are the risks involved?”
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We often experience something called cognitive bias when making decisions. This means that our beliefs and past experiences influence our decisions. They could make us choose the wrong option just because we were biased into believing it to be true.
This can also happen when people want something that is bad for them. They may ignore all the warnings that their friends give and tell themselves that they are sure that this is the right decision. A person who has excellent judgment avoids this bias. When making decisions, they consider the risks rather than pretending everything will be perfect.
Life is rarely perfect and acknowledging that can make you more prepared to face situations. This can also help you avoid panic when that risk arises. Considering possible risks shows good judgment because it means you look at things realistically and cautiously. This way you won’t be blinded by their bias.
Lily Bell is a college student studying English and publications covering relationships, mental health, and personal narratives around the human experience.
