Bob picks apples for a living. The thing is, Bob hates picking apples. But he decides to be the best possible apple-picker he can be, hopefully earning him a promotion one day. And one day, Bob does get that promotion. Now he’s no longer picking apples. Now he’s managing other people who pick apples. Now he […]
Archives for August 2017
Using “Then What” Thinking to Overcome Anxiety
What’s the worst that could possibly happen? You either avoid this question or you tackle it head-on. When you’re feeling anxious about some life change or new undertaking, it can be useful to consciously consider the Worst Case Scenario. Suppose you fear certain social situations, such as business meetings. Regarding your next business meeting, what […]
Overcoming the Monster Beneath Your Bed
As a child, were you ever trapped by a monster under your bed? Having a suspected bed monster presents an uncomfortable dilemma. On the one hand, you want to get away from the monster ASAP. At the same time, we all know what happens the minute you step out of bed to make your escape. […]
Dealing with Dishonesty in a Relationship
You will meet two types of people in life: people who are basically honest, and people who are not. Being able to distinguish between the two is important–especially when it comes to choosing a romantic partner. (After all, it’s not like a dishonest person is going to tell you he or she is dishonest upfront.) If […]
Take the Home Tour . . . or Don’t
You buy a new home and fill it with stuff. Then what? Then you invite over everyone you know and force them to “take the tour,” which requires them to comment on how clever and shiny the various objects you have accumulated are. The downside is you’re required to return the favor when that person […]