You make goals… but then you procrastinate. Why are we so good at thinking of what to do but so terrible at actually doing those things? The problem is you’re skipping an essential step. Here’s what it is… The Mistake Every Productivity System Makes Productivity systems rarely take emotions into account. And feelings are a fundamental and unavoidable part of why humans do what they do. We can’t ignore our emotions. Because of the way our brains are structured, when thought and feelings...
There are many important qualities that can contribute to a person’s achievements and happiness, but there is only one that begets sustainable, long term success in all aspects of life – self discipline. Whether in terms of your diet, fitness, work ethic, or relationships, self discipline is the number one trait needed to accomplish goals, lead a healthy lifestyle, and ultimately, to be happy. According to a 2013 study by Wilhelm Hoffman, people with high self control are happier than those...
“For some people social anxiety is pretty pervasive,” said Justin Weeks, Ph.D, an assistant professor of psychology and director of the Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety at Ohio University. For others, the anxiety arises in specific social situations, he said. The most common example is anxiety over public speaking. Making small talk, eating in front of others and using public restrooms also can trigger worry and unease for some. Some people engage in what Weeks called “covert...
Are There Different Types of Shopping or Spending Addictions? According to Shopaholics Anonymous, there are several different types of shopaholics, and they are as follows: Compulsive shopaholics who shop when they are feeling emotional distress Trophy shopaholics who are always shopping for the perfect item Shopaholics who want the image of being a big spender and love flashy items Bargain seekers who purchase items they don’t need because they are on sale Bulimic shoppers who get caught in a...
The expression “you are your own worst enemy” rings true for most of us. How many times have we acted against our self-interest, then asked ourselves why did we self-destruct? Why did we say that to a loved one? Why did we procrastinate on that project? Why have we stopped doing that one thing that makes us feel great? Self sabotaging thoughts and behaviors are perpetuated by an inner critic we all possess, which psychologist and author Robert Firestone, calls the “critical inner voice.” The critical...
Many people look in the mirror and see someone they don’t like very much. They see faults, flaws and failures. They feel shame, embarrassment and maybe even anger toward themselves. Part of the reason some people have poor self-esteem is a discrepancy between expectations and reality (though this reality is usually distorted). According to Ryan Howes, Ph.D, psychologist, writer and professor in Pasadena, California, “Deep down we’ve all constructed an idea of who we ‘should’ be: how we...
The best way of dealing with any fear, rational or irrational, is to confront it. I think this is conventional wisdom. Everyone has the experience of growing up and being afraid of all sorts of things: the monster under the bed, standing up in class, being left home alone, being threatened by a bully, and so on. These fears go away after a time when the young person looks under the bed, stands up in front of class repeatedly, spends enough time home alone and develops the physical skills and experience...
depression can occur under many circumstances but most commonly is present in these two situations: Sudden Severe Loss In this situation, the individual has experienced a sudden, perhaps surprising severe loss. This loss may be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of friendship, or other grief process. In this type of depression, the patient can clearly identify what is creating the depressed mood. Long-term High Stress Level In this situation, the patient is depressed but can’t...
The Anxiety Trick The Anxiety Trick is behind most of the trouble people have with chronic anxiety. Have you struggled to overcome an anxiety disorder, only to get disappointing results, or even feel worse over time? You’re being fooled by the Anxiety Trick. This is a terribly common occurrence, and people mistakenly blame themselves for it. Here’s a more accurate, and helpful, way to understand this common and frustrating problem. What is an anxiety disorder? It’s you getting tricked...