Young folks often associate learning with what teachers “make” us do in school. Here’s an eye-opener: the cold, hard reality is that even after graduation, learning continues. Yup! In many workplaces, you need to continuously learn if you want to be successful and make lots of cold hard cash. Continue reading
Last column, I introduced the learning challenges of Suzi and Simon. Suzi used to perceive learning as fun until that day when she missed the introduction to algebraic equations. Now, she fears that she’s lost that and every future math concept forever. Confidence and fun are replaced by fear and confusion. Continue reading
“Fun is the genetic reward for learning,” according to Dr. Wm. Glasser in his book, Choice Theory. Glasser connects play and fun to learning through his theory that the need for fun was built into our genes as a reward for learning. Humans who learn have an advantage over those who don’t. Consider the early days of the human race: the ability to learn brought with it the ability to adapt and survive.
If learning is so much fun, why do you sometimes find long, unhappy faces in places where learning is supposed to happen? Continue reading
Is this the most wonderful time of the year? Or is it…the most dreadful time? I’m referring to the new school year, of course.
While I’m sure that most students are filled with excitement and anticipation, Continue reading
Advertising is a fascinating field. Its usual purpose is to persuade us to do something we might not do otherwise. Often, the goal is to sell, but there can be other goals, too. Advertisers may try to convince us to take an action we wouldn’t otherwise take, or even to believe something that we might not otherwise believe. Continue reading
Firmly fixed in Johnny’s mind is the idea that life is unfair. More specifically, life is unfair to him. Whether it’s at work, with his parents, his teachers, even with his friends, Johnny often feels as if he is under attack.
And Johnny is happy to list examples of these injustices. Whether it‘s as a toddler 20 years ago, or an event from 20 minutes ago, there’s a story carefully kept alive in Johnny’s memory that he can use to illustrate his mistreatment compared to others. Continue reading
Johnny feels picked on. He is sure that he is treated unfairly compared to others. Even worse, he is convinced that it’s the story of his entire life.
When I introduced Johnny in an earlier column, I suggested that he carefully examine his perceptions. Is he really treated unfairly, as he believes? Continue reading
“I’d do anything for my child.” If you’re a mom or dad, and even if you aren’t, you can understand that sentiment. You already know that some children, and even some adults, seem to be “picked on” more than others. No matter whether it’s school, the playground, university, or even the workplace, life progresses smoothly for some folks, while for others, every interaction is a struggle. Continue reading
We Maritimers have something in common; we’re always aware of the weather. When the sun shines and the birds are singing, everyone smiles; when it’s a (rare) dull, dreary day, it’s common for folks to feel dull and dreary too.
If you’ve been reading these columns and have a sense of reality therapy principles, you probably have a pretty good idea of what’s coming. It’ll be something like, Continue reading
We all need others to some degree. In reality therapy, that’s referred to as the need for love and belonging. Our lives are more satisfying when we can spend time with people we care about.
However, there are benefits to spending time alone, too! If you have the opportunity to spend time with just “me, myself, and I” (with the TV, computer, and phone turned off), you could uncover some helpful insights about yourself. In case you don’t have that luxury of time alone, let’s pretend for a moment… Continue reading
