How To Stop Exaggerating And See Things Truthfully
Channel: Alex Zorach
Date: 2014-09-17

I start off by explaining how people can get into states of mind where they are distorting the truth to fit with things they already believe.  An example would be when people are in a state of denial about some fact that is presenting itself with overwhelming evidence.  This video is one tool that can help you develop the self-awareness to realize when you're doing this, and avoid it, but it's also useful for spotting when other people are exaggerating.

I focus on exaggeration, and I say that an easy and powerful way to spot exaggeration either in your own thoughts, speech, or writing, or the communication of other people.  This is to pick out modifying words or phrases, things like "many", "some", "a few", and things like this, and then to list a few contrasting options, including ones both greater and lesser than the word originally used.

By choosing the most truthful choice in the list, you will help to catch your own unconscious exaggeration.  When you do this multiple times, it can help you to get into a state of mind where you are focusing more on truthfulness than on backing up things you already believe.

I hope this can help you to be more self-aware, as well as to catch it when other people exaggerate.