It's easy to be critical of others, especially if you watch the news on a regular basis or endure a long daily commute. Fighting this urge has a lot of benefits, though. Seeing the good in other people can in turn make you happier and increase your own self-confidence. Here are some tips to help you make it a more consistent practice.

Practice Realistic Expectations

When you love or think highly of people, it's easy to feel hurt when they don't meet the high standards you set for them in your head. Don't jump to the conclusion that it is all their fault, though. One way to give others the benefit of the doubt is to adopt realistic expectations in your close relationships:

• Communicate needs openly
• Set clear boundaries
• Express feelings
• Don't shy away from healthy conflict

Make Generous Attributions

Once you learn how to see the best in those you love, the next step is to extend that same grace to other people. This is often easier said than done, particularly when the only experience you have with them is that they cut you off in traffic or snapped at the cashier while you were standing behind them in line. It's likely that if you knew the motivation behind their choices, you would understand why they do the things they do. Instead of judging them, try to assign the best possible interpretation for their behavior. 

Speak Acceptance Into Existence

Your brain tends to believe what you say. This is why repeating affirmations is so effective. It works just as well when you speak kind words about others. Make a habit of giving people compliments. If someone rubs you the wrong way, don't just take ten seconds to breathe before responding; tell yourself three things you like about him or her. Saying, "I trust you," or "I believe in you," out loud to other people not only lets them know that you hold them in positive regard but also can actually help you view them more generously.

Match Your Words With Your Actions

You can say you see the best in others, but if your actions don't reflect that attitude, no one's likely to believe it. Let your behavior speak for you. Practice acts of kindness with those around you. When you are talking to someone, make eye contact and nod to show that he or she has your full attention. Smiling at other people can trigger a similar response from them as well as the positive feelings that go with it. Simple gestures can go a long way toward showing people you see the good in them.

Choose To Trust

It can be difficult for those who have been hurt often or badly to trust other people. If you feel abandoned by those who were meant to care for you, or if you suffered a horrible breakup in the past, it may seem safer to regard everyone you meet with wariness until they prove themselves trustworthy. This response is both normal and understandable.

Ultimately, however, seeing the best in others comes down to choice. You can hold on to previously held convictions that people will let you down, or you can focus on all the ways that they haven't. You don't have to put up with abuse, of course, but if you use it as an excuse to never let anyone else get close, you are hurting yourself just as much as you are hurting those who miss out on the chance to get to know you. You get to choose which experiences guide your judgment and affect your relationships. 

Looking for the best in others may be difficult at times, but it is well worth the effort. You may be delighted to find how much it affects your general outlook on life.