Most of us have more good ideas, intentions, and plans than we ever achieve. We increase the chances of achieving them if we turn them into goals. Certain behaviors are important in order to transform our thoughts into goals. We move from having thoughts to having behaviors when we establish goals that are concrete, realistic,…
Some preseason games have already been played, and it is only a few short weeks until the games that count begin. Football season will soon be upon us in America. For many of us, football has replaced baseball as our national pastime – perhaps because it’s easier to fit watching 16 games into our busy…
Do you wake up with enthusiasm? Or do you wake up with apathy or even dread? If you are not beginning your day on a positive note, it is probably because your expectations are low. You may be going to a job you don’t like or dealing with a project that doesn’t interest you or…
May is Mental Health Month. Each year, when I hear that a month is being devoted to mental health awareness, I’m reminded of the time when I was a young parent and was taught the appropriate response to the question that almost all children would get around to asking. When a child becomes old…
Throughout the year, we have a number of chances to reassess our progress, modify our plans, and resolve to better ourselves in various ways. These can be considered as times for renewal. The start of a new year is such a time. So are birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and changes of season. Now is a particularly…
The Goal-Achieving Psychotherapy approach places a great deal of emphasis on being proactive to make good things happen. It is important, however, to recognize that sometimes it pays to do nothing. I’m not talking about meditation or some other type of formal relaxation, although there is definitely a time for that in the healthy lifestyle. …
Stock market experts tell us that one of the common mistakes that average investors make is to invest in “hot” stocks that are doing well, and then to become disillusioned and sell when the stock loses significant value. The typical amateur investor thus often winds up doing the opposite of what people hope to accomplish…
One of the concepts that I have difficulty relating to is boredom. I’m seldom bored, but I frequently hear others complain that they are. It’s not a subject that I’ve studied a whole lot, but I think that I’ve had enough experience in avoiding boredom to enable me to help others by sharing my thoughts…
I’ve been carrying one of my favorite football quotes around with me for about 50 years. Although I’m no longer certain who said it, it was a quarterback whose offense just came out on the field after the opponent’s punt pinned their team back near their own end zone. Despite the seemingly dismal situation, as…
It seems to be a rite of passage for many teenagers to deny the existence of other generations. Many teens want nothing to do with their parents, are embarrassed to be with their siblings (older or younger), are immune to the influence of teachers, and are willing to do almost anything to not be different…
This blog is being written on the day when we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King. In his short lifetime, Dr. King used non-violence to lead the way for advances in civil rights and harmony among diverse segments of society. He also was a role model for promoting hope. His most famous speech…