Harshly...

 

When we experience a failure or embarrassing mishap , like forgetting a new acquaintance’s name or tripping on the sidewalk, we often think that others will judge us harshly. However, research shows that our fears are overblown; people are less critical than we think.

One of the reasons why we overestimate the negativity of others’ judgments is that we tend to focus on our mistakes more than others do. For example, if you trip over a few words in a 10-minute speech, your thoughts afterward are likely to be focused on the blunder. 

However, the audience’s impression of you is likely based on the bigger picture—the ideas you shared, the confidence you projected, etc. So, the next time you commit a social gaffe, give yourself the same grace others would.

Others judge us less harshly than we think, so proceed accordingly. Just a thought.