Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: Lean for Life

Posted on January 31, 2016 by RealityCheck

You may choose to be pleasantly surprised when you see that the “lean” in this column has nothing to do with dieting! Rather, this “lean” refers to lean manufacturing, and it’s been around for decades. The goal is to reduce … Continue reading →

Posted in Satisfaction | Tagged choosing actions, examining options, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Mistake-Proofing for Relationships

Posted on January 24, 2016 by RealityCheck

Mistakes happen. When you make a mistake, you probably take some kind of action to try to correct it. But wouldn’t it be great if we could prevent mistakes from happening in the first place? Businesses that intend to survive … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: Persistent or Stubborn?

Posted on January 17, 2016 by RealityCheck

Last time, I wrote about constancy of purpose and the importance of having a long-term view to guide your decisions. Why is constancy of purpose important? Because few big goals are achieved quickly and easily. If you want to achieve … Continue reading →

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

Reality Check: Quality for Life

Posted on January 10, 2016 by RealityCheck

My introduction to Dr. Glasser’s work was accidental. Wherever there are miserable people, Dr. Glasser encouraged learning and using choice theory. He counseled and wrote about relationships, marriage, families, addictions, health, and schools. There’s also plenty of misery in workplaces. … Continue reading →

Posted in Workplace | Tagged choosing influences, examining wants, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Any Given Day

Posted on January 4, 2016 by RealityCheck

For many folks, the New Year triggers self-evaluation. We look back at what went well (or badly) and look forward—perhaps with resolutions—to the year ahead. What will I do differently? New Year’s resolutions can be effective, but more often than … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged blame, choosing thoughts, gratitude | Comments Off

Reality Check: Presents and Presence

Posted on December 27, 2015 by RealityCheck

How have you spent your December? Indeed, “spent” may be the appropriate word, as folks have been rushing around the malls, the stores, and on-line, shopping for those perfect gifts. As this traditional season of giving comes to a close, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged choosing thoughts, happiness, need satisfaction, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Comparison in Action

Posted on December 20, 2015 by RealityCheck

Last time, I suggested that it can be helpful to compare oneself to oneself. This comparison can help you see more clearly whether you are, in fact, making progress toward your goals. The example I had chosen was that of … Continue reading →

Posted in Satisfaction | Tagged choosing actions, comparing with others, discouragement, making choices | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Comparison that Works

Posted on December 13, 2015 by RealityCheck

If you’ve been reading Reality Check for a while, you know that I suggest not comparing yourself to others. Why? It’s futile, as you can’t control how others are doing. Further, your comparison may lead you to believe that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged comparing with others, examining options, examining wants, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Try a Different Stress Model?

Posted on December 6, 2015 by RealityCheck

Stress. Everybody’s had it. Yet some people seem to manage—or even thrive—in stressful environments, whereas others can barely cope. There are plenty of possible explanations for these differences: genetics, upbringing, experience, training, and so on. We don’t have control over … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged anxiety, choosing thoughts, perception, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Impulse to Vent

Posted on November 29, 2015 by RealityCheck

Have you ever felt that frustration has control of you? That you can’t hold back; you have to let it out somehow? If so, how well has that “letting out” worked for you? Venting can feel really good at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, conflict, frustration, self-evaluation | Comments Off