Tag Archives: discouragement

Reality Check: The Sharp Edge

Posted on June 12, 2022 by RealityCheck

Criticism is a double-edged sword, and that sword can have one very sharp edge. I say it’s “double-edged,” because some criticism may be intended to be helpful (referred to as “constructive criticism.”) More likely, however, criticism results in hurt rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged "should", criticism, discouragement, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: Burden or Honour?

Posted on April 11, 2022 by RealityCheck

For some time, Carole has been caring for her mom, Beatrice. Carole is the logical caregiver; others have neither the skills nor the temperament to be able to effectively care for Beatrice. Beatrice is what we might call “a character.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged criticism, discouragement, gratitude, improving relationships, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Lost and Found

Posted on March 6, 2022 by RealityCheck

“So many people feel lost.” I read that comment recently and it’s stuck with me like a nagging thorn in my shoe. Why? Perhaps it so succinctly expressed my perception. I have a haunting sense that many people—young and not-so-young—are … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged anxiety, choosing influences, choosing thoughts, discouragement, making choices, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Past and Future Worries

Posted on January 31, 2022 by RealityCheck

“One trip through the misery is more than enough for most people.” That’s a quote from Dr. Wm. Glasser where he discusses the value—or lack of value—of dwelling on past miseries. The past is over. We can’t change what we … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged anxiety, discouragement, perception, self-evaluation, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: Do You Feel Appreciated?

Posted on November 28, 2021 by RealityCheck

Knowing that we are genuinely appreciated is satisfying. From a choice theory perspective, we might say that appreciation satisfies our need for power, recognition, esteem. Regardless of how we analyze it, appreciation feels good. I sincerely hope that you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged "should", choosing thoughts, discouragement, unhappiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: When We Share Stories

Posted on October 31, 2021 by RealityCheck

Our culture includes so many forms of story-sharing. There are documentaries, movies, books, TED talks, and so on. We share stories of difficulties, actions, triumphs and disasters, both truth and fiction. Do you share stories of your life? Do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged comparing with others, discouragement, encouragement, making choices, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: To-Dos and Purpose

Posted on October 10, 2021 by RealityCheck

How’s your to-do list? Does it motivate you by giving you purpose and direction? Or is it more like a collection of chores—a hamster wheel that demands lots of effort to keep going round and round but doesn’t seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged "should", choosing thoughts, discouragement, motivation | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Morning Outlook

Posted on April 4, 2021 by RealityCheck

How’s your morning outlook? Sunny and bright? Cold and dreary? Maybe it’s unsettled; you’ll wait to see how the day goes. These outlooks could be describing the weather forecast, but our internal outlook is more interesting. What control do we … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged choosing thoughts, discouragement, happiness, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: What We Measure

Posted on March 7, 2021 by RealityCheck

Some things we can influence; many others we can’t. It can be surprisingly difficult to accurately identify where we have influence and where there is simply nothing we can do. If you’ve been reading these columns regularly, then you know … Continue reading →

Posted in Perception & Reality | Tagged choosing influences, choosing thoughts, discouragement, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Spinning Our Wheels

Posted on February 28, 2021 by RealityCheck

One of the rare Choice Theory-related books that I don’t have is entitled Stop Spinning Your Wheels. As I thought I might indulge in a gift to myself, I went browsing for it. That browsing reminded me that the idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing thoughts, discouragement, persistence, self-evaluation | Comments Off