Tag Archives: examining wants

Reality Check: A Model of Motivation

I have some ambivalence about the positive thinking business. It is a business, after all, with books, articles, and motivational speakers. Much of our culture encourages positive thinking, and you’ve even seen suggestions here in this column. Positive thinking complements … Continue reading

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Reality Check: What Does Love & Support Look Like?

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so along with eating heart-shaped candies and buying heart-shaped jewellery, it seems like an appropriate time to think about love. What does love and support look like to you? If you buy into some … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Mistake-Proofing for Relationships

Mistakes happen. When you make a mistake, you probably take some kind of action to try to correct it. But wouldn’t it be great if we could prevent mistakes from happening in the first place? Businesses that intend to survive … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Quality for Life

My introduction to Dr. Glasser’s work was accidental. Wherever there are miserable people, Dr. Glasser encouraged learning and using choice theory. He counseled and wrote about relationships, marriage, families, addictions, health, and schools. There’s also plenty of misery in workplaces. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Comparison that Works

If you’ve been reading Reality Check for a while, you know that I suggest not comparing yourself to others. Why? It’s futile, as you can’t control how others are doing. Further, your comparison may lead you to believe that you … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Feeling Unappreciated?

Have you ever felt as if you give and give and give, yet receive little appreciation in return? Neighbours Sara and Michelle are different: Michelle gregarious and fun-loving, Sara introspective and serious. Despite their differences, they are content as neighbours, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Other People’s Misery

Do you ever find yourself embracing misery that isn’t really yours? John does. Unlike others in his extended family, John feels that he has a duty to visit and maintain connection with his great-uncle Matthew. Far from expressing appreciation, Matthew … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Voter’s Choice

Election season continues. Far from being happy about having a say in how our country is governed, some folks are responding with frustration, confusion, and “Why bother voting? Here are the main objections I’ve been hearing: 1. Politicians are all … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Habit-Forming

It’s commonly said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. It’s tempting to believe that if you rigidly adhere to a new behaviour for a set number of days, then it magically becomes engrained in you. You … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Value of Delayed Gratification

Would you stop drinking all sugary drinks for a year for $500? That’s the offer that one family made to their children. You could view that as bribery. Or, you could view it as an innovative teaching method. Regardless, one … Continue reading

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