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Welcome to Reality Check:
articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Tag Archives: examining options
Reality Check: Hoped-for results
Many of us like to think that we base our important decisions on facts and logic. Sometimes, however, our “hoped-for” results crowd out our logical assessments. Let’s look at Molly and Bill, whose life together includes a home and small … Continue reading →
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
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Tagged choosing actions, examining options, self-evaluation
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Reality Check: For Real?
There’s a thought-provoking TV commercial where a beautiful young woman expresses, “I believe the earth is our future; our children’s future.” The love-struck young fella across the table agrees, “We are so the same! For real!” What a coincidence! What … Continue reading →
Posted in Relationships
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Tagged examining options, improving relationships, internal & external control
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Reality Check: Shaking Off External Control
Last column, I described a mother-daughter conflict where mom, Sandy, tried to compel her daughter Chloe to study in a specific way. Sandy is convinced that she knows what’s best for Chloe. Now, let’s look at the situation from Chloe’s … Continue reading →
Posted in Personal Freedom
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Tagged choosing actions, examining options, internal & external control, learning
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Reality Check: Ease off External Control
The Reality Therapy approach emphasizes that when we use external control, unhappy relationships are the likely result. What is external control, exactly? In “Take Charge of Your Life,” Dr. Glasser says, “In a relationship, it is a belief that what … Continue reading →
Posted in Personal Freedom
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Tagged "should", examining options, internal & external control
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Reality Check: A Picture of Perfection
Selma had looked forward to retirement with great anticipation. Healthy and frugal, with both a good pension and physical well-being, she pictured a perfect retirement. Travel, home renovations, dinners and outings with friends—all are experiences she’s been postponing. Now, it’s … Continue reading →
Posted in Personal Freedom
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Tagged examining options, internal & external control, perception
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Reality Check: Who’s the most effective saboteur?
Amanda and Annie are cousins. They have similar backgrounds, and they have faced similar challenges throughout their lives. There’s a significant difference between Amanda and Annie’s lives, though. Whenever a setback arises, Amanda is easily thrown off course while Annie … Continue reading →
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
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Tagged choosing actions, examining options, perception
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Reality Check: What is closure, and how does one get it?
Whether you have wronged someone or someone has wronged you, healing sometimes involves closure. Closure implies putting the event behind you; “closing the door,” so to speak. How does one get closure? Rachel was Emily’s best friend, but no longer. … Continue reading →
Posted in Personal Freedom
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Tagged choosing thoughts, examining options, internal & external control
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Reality Check: The Virtue of Asking
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
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Tagged discouragement, examining options, examining wants, unhappiness
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Reality Check: Resilient Children; Resilient Adults
When things are going well in our lives, it’s easy to feel satisfied, to view ourselves as being effective, and to build good relationships with people. However, at some point, every one of us will experience a setback, a disappointment, … Continue reading →
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
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Tagged examining options, making choices
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Reality Check: Who’s holding the pen?
How much of our troubles (or our happiness) do you believe we are responsible for causing ourselves? All? None? Some? My Reality Therapy colleague, Becky Wentzell, uses the metaphor of looking at your life as a story to help folks … Continue reading →
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
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Tagged examining options, examining wants, freedom
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