Category Archives: Choosing Behaviour

Reality Check: Experiments in Encouragement

Posted on March 30, 2014 by RealityCheck

How do we learn? One effective method involves coming up with an idea and then trying an experiment to see whether the idea works as we think it will. Observe what happens, and then draw a conclusion based on what … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged criticism, learning, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: When Evaluation Gets Personal

Posted on March 16, 2014 by RealityCheck

Last column, I offered suggestions regarding workplace evaluations and ways to prepare so as to gain some control over what can be a stressful situation. The workplace is not the only venue where we are evaluated! What’s happening when your … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged criticism, offering information, perception, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Wit’s end?

Posted on March 2, 2014 by RealityCheck

Are you ever at your “wit’s end?” You try everything you can think of to respond to a problem (usually a person-related problem), but nothing works to create the result you want. Interactions with others are sometimes delightful, other times … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged examining options, improving relationships | Comments Off

Reality Check: I Regret that I Cannot…

Posted on February 23, 2014 by RealityCheck

Last post, I suggested that one way to reduce stress is to create habits for on-going chores. Assigning a specific time to mundane activities can reduce the perception of never being caught up. Chores don’t take over your life! How … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged "should", examining options, guilt | Comments Off

Reality Check: Creating the Helpful Habit

Posted on February 16, 2014 by RealityCheck

Are you stressed? Is there too much to do, no time to do it? Do undone tasks scurry around in the back of your mind, popping up at inconvenient times? Many tasks are never fully done. Do you remember this … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged choosing actions, examining options, guilt, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Value of Reducing Waste

Posted on January 20, 2014 by RealityCheck

Last column, I suggested that being aware of your values can help you make choices that lead you toward the life that you want. We looked at the value of persistence; now let’s look at the value of “reducing waste.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: New Year’s Values

Posted on January 12, 2014 by RealityCheck

It’s the traditional season to make promises to ourselves: how we’ll change our lives, what we will achieve, what disciplines we will force on ourselves… While each day is as valuable as another, taking stock of life at New Year’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, examining options, happiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: Stewing on a Setback

Posted on December 15, 2013 by RealityCheck

If the word “stew” only brings to mind that tasty dish from a crockpot, you’re fortunate! For many, stewing means worrying, and it’s often over something completely out of one’s control. Everybody has setbacks, and it can be mighty difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged anxiety, unhappiness, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: Young People Today…

Posted on November 24, 2013 by RealityCheck

How would you finish the phrase, “Young people today…”? A frequent theme is, “Young people today don’t want to work,” or “Young people today can’t handle money,” or “Young people today expect to be taken care of.” That criticism often … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged "should", offering information, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Attitude in Action

Posted on October 28, 2013 by RealityCheck

What’s the most important attribute for success? Ask an employer, teacher, or coach, and it’s pretty likely that somewhere in the answer you’ll find reference to the need for “a good attitude.” In fact, entire libraries could be filled with … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged choosing actions, choosing thoughts, self-evaluation | Comments Off