Assertiveness is the skill of being able to stand up for your rights without aggressively violating the rights of others or passively accepting what you know to be wrong. When a salesperson bullies you into paying for a product that you know to be substandard and that you don’t need, that person is being aggressive.…
In the world of advertising, one of the most iconic slogans that exists is Nike’s, “Just Do It!” Together with its famous “swoosh,” it has made Nike one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. The slogan also has an inspirational message that reminds us to not get stuck obsessing about a decision –…
When psychologists speak of assertiveness, they typically are referring to being able to express your thoughts and feelings honestly while not impacting on the rights of others. Unassertive people are easily taken advantage of because they don’t stand up for their own rights – and they may make purchases that they don’t need or work…
I don’t consider myself to be a guy who scares very easily, but there are two kinds of people who scare me – not because I consider them to be dangerous to me but rather to themselves. The first type are the ones who don’t know how to say “No” whenever they are asked to…
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used approaches to psychological treatment throughout the world today. It is based on the principle that, in order for behavior to change, we must first make a change in our thinking. Emotional problems are essentially created by the negative or irrational messages we give ourselves about…
Occasionally, a retired friend of mine asks me why I continue to work as much as I do – probably more than I ever have before – even though I could also be retired. My response is, “Because I can!” It’s pretty much the same response that I give when I’m asked why I go…
At The Mental Health Gym, we make a big deal about doing the right things to maximize your potential. Nobody accomplishes all that they can achieve, but you can come pretty close by maintaining a positive mindset, taking reasonable risks, being willing to make mistakes, and learning from our non-successes rather than dwelling upon them.…
I’m a pretty competitive guy. There have been times, however, particularly when I was younger when my competitiveness worked against me. Why? Because I hadn’t yet learned that I am my competition. Whether I was in the classroom or in the gym or in a social setting, I sometimes held myself back from trying as…
The 2016 presidential campaign and election in the United States, as well as the events preceding and following the inauguration of the new president, have symbolized a phenomenon taking place in many parts of the world. There is an increasing polarization based upon political beliefs, ideologies, religions, and other factors. It’s logical byproduct is a…
Human beings are social animals. Research has demonstrated the importance of building and maintaining a social network as being one of the most important indexes of mental health. It is also protective against negative aspects of the aging process. But social comfort is not evenly distributed. Social role modeling from parents and older siblings, growing…
The world is changing. An increasing number of people are working from home – either telecommuting to their place of employment or creating their own entrepreneurial place of employment. Others who work in more conventional work settings spend their break time on their smart phones or other mobile devices. The end result is less interaction…