Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: The Satisfaction of Small Steps

Posted on November 9, 2014 by RealityCheck

Ups and downs are a part of life. When life goes well, activities tend to fall in to place; you know what you need and want to do. It’s during those down times that it can be difficult to figure … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Lots on your Plate?

Posted on November 2, 2014 by RealityCheck

Busy, busy, busy. Ask most anyone how they are doing and you’ll often hear, “I’m so busy!” What are some potential consequences of that busy-ness? Harriet cares for a very sick child, looks after an elderly aunt, and has a … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Power in Retirement

Posted on October 26, 2014 by RealityCheck

Among other needs, Dr. Wm. Glasser asserts that we all have a basic need for power. Before you get too excited and protest that you have no such need, let’s explore what that power need might look like. If you … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: More Retirement Planning

Posted on October 19, 2014 by RealityCheck

Whether you are looking forward to retirement with delight or trepidation, planning can help. While financial planning can help satisfy your need for survival, it’s also important to consider other needs. Last column, I suggested finding ways to satisfy your … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Retirement Planning

Posted on October 12, 2014 by RealityCheck

Retirement planning is often associated with money. You already know that money isn’t everything, so let’s try looking at retirement planning from a choice theory perspective. According to choice theory, we all have a set of basic needs: survival, love … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: More Encouragement

Posted on October 5, 2014 by RealityCheck

Last post, I suggested that honesty is an important characteristic of effective encouragement. When offering encouragement, ask yourself, “Do I believe the encouraging words I am about to say, or are they just “feel-good” words and wishful thinking?” If your … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: An Encouraging Word

Posted on October 5, 2014 by RealityCheck

The act of offering sincere encouragement can be as satisfying for you as it is helpful for the person being encouraged. Encouragement feels good. Encouragement can be motivational. Encouragement can be the key to a win-win in many areas of … Continue reading →

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Reality check: Forgetfulness Choices

Posted on September 21, 2014 by RealityCheck

When we met to catch up, my friend realized that she had forgotten to bring her pictures. Discussing those pictures was the main reason for our get-together. But we didn’t have them and it wasn’t practical to go get them. … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Worried about becoming my dad (or mom) syndrome?

Posted on September 14, 2014 by RealityCheck

It seems that marketers will do anything to convince us that their product is the one for us. (Sounds like I’m choosing skepticism, eh?) Just for fun, picture this as your problem: You’re trying to market a product to young … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Fluffy, Revisited

Posted on August 31, 2014 by RealityCheck

A few posts ago, I presented this classic quandary: Is it appropriate to deceive someone if you believe the deception is kinder than the truth? Here’s the scenario: Maria’s beloved cat, Fluffy, went missing. Maria responded to the reality of … Continue reading →

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