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articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Category Archives: Control and Choice
Reality Check: What would you choose?
A story told by Dr. Glasser in Choice Theory describes a mother-daughter relationship that had once been good but has now turned sour. Mom works all day. She comes home; her teenage daughter is lazing around watching TV. The kitchen … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged "should", conflict, improving relationships, internal & external control
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Reality Check: The Battle for your Beliefs
Attempts to influence and persuade us are everywhere. Advertisements are essentially attempts to influence: Buy this product! Donate to this cause! Believe these beliefs! Personalized ads and information are particularly persuasive. For example, if I can make my company’s ad … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged choosing influences, making choices
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Reality Check: Experiments in Liking
Do you remember when liking referred to having an affectionate feeling toward someone? Now, for many, “liking” means clicking a mouse on a little thumbs-up sign. Either way, liking indicates a positive emotional response. It’s a sign of approval, support, … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged choosing influences, choosing thoughts, freedom, power
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Reality Check: To be Deliberate
It’s probably the influence of advertising, but the word “mindfulness” for me conjures up the image of a lovely woman in a yoga pose. Waterfalls, peace, and harmony abound. Being mindful—paying attention to the present moment—is a really helpful practice. … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, internal & external control
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Reality Check: Unintended Effects
When we interact with people, we have control over how we behave. We can choose our actions, our thoughts, perceptions, and to some degree, even our feelings. What we can’t control is what others do. Smiling at a stranger doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged examining wants, perception, power, work
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Reality Check: There will always be an Irma
Are there people in your life who bug you? Treat you badly? Is this the story of your life? Sweet little Mary was picked on throughout her first year of school. Her nemesis was Irma, a big girl in a … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged conflict, internal & external control, making choices, unhappiness
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Reality Check: Sidestep your Traps
Why do I keep doing that? I should know better by now! That’s the way Sophie beats herself up after conversations with her mother. Why, indeed? The relationship with her mom was never great. Sophie is warm and outgoing, whereas … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged conflict, criticism, freedom, perception, power
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Reality Check: Knowing who your friends are
How do you know who your friends are? If you’re a well-seasoned adult, your response may be quite different from that of someone younger. Experience does bring wisdom. If you pay attention to it, that is. I know that I’m … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged choosing influences, confidence, improving relationships, power
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Reality Check: Is It Just Too Much?
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
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