Maybe I should have tried to stop myself from finishing the thought once I realized its nature? Or you just have to pay even more attention, and it will come with practice?
I don’t think you should simply try to stop yourself. I think you should apply the insights of cognitive behavioral therapy. Talk to yourself about it, and you might find that you were reacting defensively because you believed on some level that losing the argument would be a terrible event. (Or perhaps you were otherwise motivated; but the important thing is that you were motivated, as the title of the post indicates, and you should try to find the motivation.)
CBT would then recommend that you build a habit of reminding yourself that losing arguments might be unpleasant, but it isn’t the end of the world. CBT theory predicts that eventually you’ll change your thought pattern and become less averse to losing arguments. That should result in being less defensive and more objective.
Then post the results!--either as a warning or a celebration.
I don’t think you should simply try to stop yourself. I think you should apply the insights of cognitive behavioral therapy. Talk to yourself about it, and you might find that you were reacting defensively because you believed on some level that losing the argument would be a terrible event. (Or perhaps you were otherwise motivated; but the important thing is that you were motivated, as the title of the post indicates, and you should try to find the motivation.)
CBT would then recommend that you build a habit of reminding yourself that losing arguments might be unpleasant, but it isn’t the end of the world. CBT theory predicts that eventually you’ll change your thought pattern and become less averse to losing arguments. That should result in being less defensive and more objective.
Then post the results!--either as a warning or a celebration.
Good advice, I will look into it!