Reality Therapy emphasizes our need for relationships. That’s not radical; it makes sense that being able to get along with others generally leads to a more satisfying life.
So what if you need to deal with someone who dislikes you? Or who seems to have a nasty grudge against the whole world? Can you think of anyone like that? Someone who’s cranky, uncooperative, or just plain hard to get along with? What do you do? Continue reading
Alice is fuming, but you’d never know it. She’s choosing to keep her frustrations hidden, and having chosen this “internal fuming” behaviour throughout her life, she’s mastered the skill. No one would know.
We choose certain behaviours because they seem like a good idea at the time. For Alice, this internal fuming behaviour has worked well for her during past situations. When we have a behaviour that’s worked well, we have a tendency to choose it again and again. Continue reading
“What do you do?” It’s a simple conversation starter. When you’re introduced, it’s natural to ask about occupations.
However, if you’re unemployed and feeling uncertain about your place in the working world, you might perceive, “What do you do?” as more of an attack than an innocent inquiry. Or perhaps you’ve never worked outside of the home, and “what you do” is a sensitive issue for you. Continue reading
Do you want to get along with others? With all kinds of people in the world, each with our different beliefs and values, it’s impossible to agree with everyone. Sometimes those disagreements are minor, while others cut to the very core of what we care about.
If all you want is to get along, then it may be helpful to avoid discussing politics, religion, or anything of substance and stick to the weather, on which we can (mostly) agree. But where is the fun in that? Continue reading
Any time is an opportunity for a fresh start. We could work on improving our lives and relationships continuously, all year long. Just because we could, though, doesn’t mean that we do!
However, when a new year rolls around, it seems natural to get motivated and start doing things differently.
Why make changes? Choice Theory uses the metaphor of a scale to explain behaviour. Think of a teeter-totter—one end holds pictures of what you want; the other end holds your perceptions of what you have.
Do the ends match? Continue reading
What do business owners or managers want from their workers? One answer is “motivated employees.”
Regardless of whether the business creates products or sells services, ultimately, its success depends on the work of employees. Their motivation is key.
Managerial theories abound on how to “motivate” employees so they will do what you want them to do, and perhaps even do it with enthusiasm! Continue reading
Work and workplace discussions tend to draw out strong opinions. When you consider the numbers of employees who feel poorly treated, employers who feel that their workers don’t care, not to mention the workers who torment their fellow workers, it’s amazing that any work gets done at all!
Could your workplace be improved? Yours would be rare indeed if it’s functioning perfectly. What changes would be helpful? Let’s take a look at the workplace from the perspective of “wants.” Continue reading
“Live your dream!” “Take pride in your work” “Be true to yourself!” “Have a great day!” We’ve all heard them, and maybe even used them. These are the slogans, mottoes, and sayings that we sometimes use to replace thoughtful conversation.
Companies use them to try to motivate their workforce. Coaches use them to inspire their charges to do their best. Inspirational speakers use them to encourage their audiences to reach for greater possibilities.
Are these sayings just another means for someone to tell us what to do?
