Tag Archives: offering information

Reality Check: Information in Action

Posted on June 14, 2015 by RealityCheck

Recently, I came across a near-magical convergence of two of my interests (that’s quality assurance and choice theory, of course.) The weekly quote on my favourite quality assurance website was a choice theory quote from Dr. Wm. Glasser! Glasser said, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged "should", frustration, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: Friendly Support

Posted on May 24, 2015 by RealityCheck

“You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family!” As we can, indeed, choose our friends, it makes sense that friendship would be supportive, encouraging, and helpful for both people. But that’s not always the case. Some friend … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged "should", improving relationships, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: Smart Praise

Posted on May 17, 2015 by RealityCheck

I have previously suggested that supportive behaviours, such as encouraging and offering recognition, are helpful for building strong relationships. How about praise? Is it an effective way to recognize and encourage? When little Joey started elementary school, he’d already had … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged learning, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: To Choose or Not to Choose?

Posted on April 26, 2015 by RealityCheck

In recent public service ads, a teenager says something like, “My parents didn’t tell me that driving while high was a bad idea, so it must be ok.” One logical response is, “If your parents didn’t tell you it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged "should", guilt, making choices, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Sustainable Relationship

Posted on March 29, 2015 by RealityCheck

Sustainability. It’s a popular word now, and its relevance is not limited to trees and trash. Thinking about sustainability implies thinking long term. For example, consider a sustainably-harvested woodlot. What do you see? Some trees ready for harvest, some left … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged improving relationships, offering information, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: When Positive Thinking Meets External Control

Posted on March 1, 2015 by RealityCheck

Last post, I suggested that positive thinking can be helpful, but with a caveat—to be effective, it needs to be paired with positive action. So, if positive thinking is good, then shouldn’t everybody get on board? You know, “Turn that … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged "should", choosing thoughts, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: Power and Embarrassment

Posted on February 15, 2015 by RealityCheck

Fear of embarrassment is powerful. Some folks will do almost anything to avoid feeling embarrassed. Why? According to choice theory, among the basic needs that we all share is a need for power; that is, to be respected and valued. … Continue reading →

Posted in Workplace | Tagged basic needs, examining options, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Value of Compassion

Posted on February 8, 2015 by RealityCheck

What does it mean to be compassionate? What differentiates a compassionate person from others? Elsie values compassion; in her mind, it is simply the right way to be. She easily finds ways to treat strangers compassionately by giving of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged basic needs, making choices, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: More Encouragement

Posted on October 5, 2014 by RealityCheck

Last post, I suggested that honesty is an important characteristic of effective encouragement. When offering encouragement, ask yourself, “Do I believe the encouraging words I am about to say, or are they just “feel-good” words and wishful thinking?” If your … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged discouragement, improving relationships, offering information | Comments Off

Reality Check: An Encouraging Word