Is it actually that difficult to look at things objectively?

Here's a trick I learned in a poetry class. You might be surprised. It's... amazingly useful outside of poetry.

When you read a poem, you're aware that there's figurative language - that is, you aren't supposed to take everything literally - there's "poetic license." So immediately, most people are guessing and second-guessing and anticipating and interpreting and reaching conclusions. What does it MEAN? Right?

You don't know what it means, and there's a good chance neither did the poet. Start by admitting that you DON'T know what it MEANS, and may never know.

Now, here's the fun bit. Read the poem perfectly literally.

See it as if every word must be taken concretely, no exaggeration, no metaphor, nothing. Imagine it all as literally and vividly as you can, no matter how bizarre.

When people say what they think, that's how you should listen. Refrain from leaping to conclusions about WHY they'd be saying that or thinking that, or what they REALLY mean. Suspend any paranoias about insinuation or condescension or insult or the right side or the wrong side. Listen to what they say, and evaluate it word for word, phrase for phrase, sentence for sentence. For each one: 1) Is that a fact? 2) Could it by some unexpected fluke BE a fact, maybe? 3) Would it make sense that this person BELIEVES it's a fact?

Quit trying to pin people to motives when they speak. You can pin dead moths to a corkboard. Don't pin people.

I'm not saying be unaware. No way. We'll get to that in a second. Just stop trying to catch people out by stabbing through them. Put the pins to one side. Pay closer attention instead. You don't know what the poem means, but you're reading it objectively.

The next thing you do after reading the poem perfectly literally is you start thinking about all that other stuff - reading between the lines. Once you know what's truly there, you are equipped to bring your own mind and heart to the scene and complete it. With a real person, you have the incredible advantage of being able to ask them point-blank what they meant and why they said it. Allow them to answer those questions. Don't try to answer those questions for them. At this point, you have done your bit and are free to read between the lines as much as you want. Great work!

But if you skimp on the first step, you'll probably find yourself quite lost, or reaching totally unsubstantiated conclusions.

So... assuming what I've described above is a process for being more objective, what do you say? Is this very difficult?