Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: I Could Write Myself a Letter

Posted on June 25, 2017 by RealityCheck

If I were going to sit right down and write myself a letter…what would I say? More importantly, if you were to write yourself a letter, what would you say? When you find yourself troubled by a question that won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged examining options, examining wants, perception, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Bad News Bearers

Posted on June 18, 2017 by RealityCheck

“I know you don’t want to hear this but I have to tell you anyway.” Do you ever say (or think) that? You believe that you need to inform somebody of something unpleasant, and they’re not going to like it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, conflict, offering information, responsibility | Comments Off

Reality Check: What’s your predisposition?

Posted on June 11, 2017 by RealityCheck

“Sally said my hair looked nice today. Can you believe that!” Did Sally pay me a compliment? Or was that a subtle insult, implying that she noticed an improvement over those many non-nice hair days? Was Sally being sarcastic? Or … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged choosing thoughts, confidence, filters, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Does the News Hurt Your Relationships?

Posted on June 4, 2017 by RealityCheck

There’s almost always an election in season somewhere. A survey asked whether an election has negatively affected a personal relationship with a friend or family member. It wasn’t about a Canadian election. No matter; it’s still an interesting question that … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged choosing influences, conflict, examining wants, improving relationships | Comments Off

Reality Check: Is It Just Too Much?

Posted on May 28, 2017 by RealityCheck

Self-evaluation is the process of examining what we are doing and determining whether we’re moving in the direction we want. It can be helpful in many situations. Take Bruce, who works long and hard at work and in life. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged "should", choosing actions, responsibility, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Tired and Cranky, Anyone?

Posted on May 21, 2017 by RealityCheck

By the time I’d finished reading an article promoting an approach to education that I don’t happen to agree with, I felt tired and a tad cranky. I was fine before I started reading. So, what happened? When it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing, Thinking, Feeling, Physiology | Tagged motivation, need satisfaction, self-evaluation, total behaviour | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Meltdown

Posted on May 14, 2017 by RealityCheck

A thousand miles away, my usually sunny friend—she who chooses the most positive possible interpretation of everything—had a meltdown. It’s understandable. She’s been living with the reality of several family members diagnosed with cancers. Then, her mom took a tumble … Continue reading →

Posted in How it is sometimes | Tagged "should", anxiety, need satisfaction, offering information, responsibility | Comments Off

Reality Check: The two sides of protection

Posted on May 7, 2017 by RealityCheck

Could anyone possibly be against something named “Safe Food for Canadians”? The recent discussion around potentially negative impacts of new food safety regulations on small food producers is a good reminder that just because something has an appealing name doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged basic needs, freedom, making choices, responsibility, win-win | Comments Off

Reality Check: It wasn’t what I expected

Posted on April 30, 2017 by RealityCheck

The other day, I was giving a presentation in an unfamiliar room using an unfamiliar computer. For some reason, my presentation wasn’t working quite right. While it looked more or less the way it should, the system wasn’t responding as … Continue reading →

Posted in Perception & Reality | Tagged filters, perception, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Out of the Ashes

Posted on April 23, 2017 by RealityCheck

When good things happen, when our needs and expectations are being met, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to feel satisfied and happy. However, when bad things happen, we’re given the delightful and very useful gift of an opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged gratitude, improving relationships, learning, perception | Comments Off