Tag Archives: discouragement

Reality Check: Forge on

Posted on July 4, 2013 by RealityCheck

Have you ever felt that events you can’t control are conspiring against you? If so, you might feel like pulling the covers over your head and crying, “Why me?” It can be tempting to believe that we have no choice … Continue reading →

Posted in How it is sometimes | Tagged discouragement, examining wants, unhappiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: Perception and Schooling

Posted on April 28, 2013 by RealityCheck

Perceptions we form about ourselves during school days can influence us long after what we’ve learned at school is a dusty memory. Brandon has the perception that he can’t do math. Where did he get that? Perhaps his parents told … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning | Tagged blame, discouragement, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Rise or Sink?

Posted on March 24, 2013 by RealityCheck

Much like a community or a family, a workplace has its own atmosphere and culture. Some places are productive, filled with industrious people who are happy at their work. Other workplaces seem angry or sullen, where even simple tasks take … Continue reading →

Posted in Workplace | Tagged discouragement, dissatisfaction, examining options | Comments Off

Reality Check: Overcoming a longstanding upset

Posted on June 25, 2012 by RealityCheck

If you seek out self-development resources for inspiration, then you already know that gurus, teachers, and coaches suggest that it’s helpful to have a positive outlook. But what if that positivity eludes you? Tashia “knows” that anyone she meets is … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Freedom | Tagged choosing thoughts, discouragement, learning, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Possibilities and Potential

Posted on May 13, 2012 by RealityCheck

Lauren has a dream, and she’s talked about this dream for years. When she’s asked what she does, Lauren replies without hesitation: “My dream is to open a home for challenged youth.” People who know and love Lauren encourage her … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged discouragement, examining wants, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Virtue of Asking

Posted on May 7, 2012 by RealityCheck

Selflessness has genuine virtue. It’s wonderful to give of yourself for the benefit of others, with no expectation in return. Now consider this: Is there virtue in asking for what you want? Or does the very idea seem selfish to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged discouragement, examining options, examining wants, unhappiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Hard Work of Positive Thinking

Posted on April 14, 2012 by RealityCheck

When discouragement hits, it can be hard to imagine that you have any choice at all about how you feel. The total behaviour aspect of choice theory states that taking action of some sort is the most direct approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged discouragement, learning, unhappiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: Taking Active Control

Posted on March 23, 2012 by RealityCheck

Gregory has been waiting for years for an appointment with a medical specialist. We know that it can feel like years when we’re waiting, but Gregory says that literally years have gone by without even an initial appointment. That’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged discouragement, examining options, internal & external control | Comments Off

Changing Those Discouraging Thoughts

Posted on September 1, 2011 by RealityCheck

Last column, I suggested some actions to help move away from “discouraging,” as changing what we do is the most effective route to changing what we feel. The next most effective way to change a feeling is to change what … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing, Thinking, Feeling, Physiology | Tagged discouragement, internal & external control, making choices | Comments Off

Acting on “Discouraging”