First, understand the meaning of the word "critical". It is unbiased in it's meaning, it means to examine something without any consideration where the conclusi

First, understand the meaning of the word "critical". It is unbiased in it's meaning, it means to examine something without any consideration where the conclusions lead. In common use it carries a negative connotation, to be critical means to reexamine something and come to different conclusions, because it's when we are wrong that it is most often useful. Second, become very good at articulating your thoughts and ideas. If you can't explain something you don't understand it. So expand your vocabulary, watch your grammar, split hairs, use analogy. This takes practice and is always an ongoing process. Finally, hold nothing as sacred, nothing. You must be willing to accept that even your most cherished, deeply held views are wrong. You must be willing to entertain ideas you find reprehensible. You must adopt and throw away ideas when your faculty of reason tells you that you are wrong, and you must be unemotional about it. You cannot coddle your worldview. This is very hard, which is why most people can't do it.