Category Archives: Needs

Reality Check: When We Choose To Give Up

Posted on July 21, 2026 by RealityCheck

What does it mean to “give up”? Perhaps the first picture that comes to your mind is surrender. We’ve thrown our hands in the air, reached our limit, “That’s it; I’m done.” Sounds pretty negative, doesn’t it? On the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice, Making a Change, Needs | Comments Off

Reality Check: Staying Alive

Posted on July 14, 2026 by RealityCheck

Have you ever taken a CPR course? Or maybe you can recall music from the ‘70s? If so, I imagine that the words, “Staying Alive” bring a little tune to mind. Feel free to hum along as you read. Staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, conflict, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Could Organizing Your Wants Change Your Life?

Posted on June 12, 2026 by RealityCheck

I have an important question for you and it’s only four words long: “What do you want?” Perhaps you can easily produce a detailed list of exactly what things you want, what people you want in your life, what values … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Wisdom of the Second Look

Posted on October 13, 2025 by RealityCheck

When we cross a busy street, we look both ways to make sure the coast is clear. It’s often prudent to take a second look before we set out, as we might overlook a potential threat the first time. If … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Most Basic Need of All

Posted on April 15, 2023 by RealityCheck

In recent columns, I’ve explored four of the five basic needs that Dr. Glasser suggested are common to all of us. Among those needs is the need for love and belonging. We need to know that we are not alone … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: For the Fun of It

Posted on April 1, 2023 by RealityCheck

Are you serious about having fun? Or do you consider fun to be frivolous? Do you treat fun like dessert, saving it for after all the serious business has been handled? Then, if there’s time, maybe you’ll have the opportunity … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Our Most Basic Needs

Posted on March 5, 2023 by RealityCheck

Are there more incidents of unhappiness now than ever before? The pandemic and the changes that accompanied it can certainly give that impression. There are plenty of stories. Some—about celebrities or strangers—appear in the media. But you may also be … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, examining wants, happiness, hope, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Understanding your need strength profile

Posted on March 31, 2013 by RealityCheck

Choice Theory proposes that every human being has the same five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. However, that doesn’t imply that we are identical; far from it! The strength of each of those needs contributes … Continue reading →

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