Generally speaking, the more ambitious the goal you set, the more likely you are to procrastinate. Suppose you decide to run a marathon. But first you should probably finish that big project at work. Then you’ll need to buy just the right running gear, maybe read a few books on marathon running. And it makes sense… CONTINUE
Being Kind to Yourself – Saying Goodbye to Negative Self-Talk
There I go again, being a jerk. Why am I so lazy? I keep repeating the same mistakes. I don’t deserve to be happy . . . Negative self-talk is a common symptom of depression and anxiety. It’s an attempt to motivate yourself by self-criticism. But you won’t make yourself feel better by making yourself… CONTINUE
Living Courageously and Other Words of Inspiration for Daily Life
by James Robbins, Dallas Therapist Be brave. Have courage. Easy words to say, but not so easy to put in practice. Courage means you keep showing up. You keep giving it your best effort, even when the outcome is uncertain, even when the odds seem stacked against you. When confronting an obstacle, you admit you… CONTINUE
Are You in Touch with Your Inner Teenager? Advice on Discovering Passion in Life with Dallas Therapist
by James Robbins, Licensed Therapist in Dallas, TX What would my 13 year-old self do? I ask myself this from time to time. Not that my 13 year-old self had all the answers, but I like to check in. As a therapist and life coach I’ve noticed something interesting: When my clients retire from their… CONTINUE
Signs of Depression in Men
How common is depression in men? According to the American Psychological Association, about 30% of men will experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. However, depression tends to effect men and women differently, and often goes undiagnosed in males. Whereas depressed women are more likely to report feelings of sadness and episodes of crying,… CONTINUE
How to Make the Most of Counseling and Therapy
If you are already in counseling, or you are considering working with a psychologist or therapist, four tips will help maximize your therapy process: 1. Take personal responsibility. On the one hand, counseling is a perfectly appropriate place to “vent” about your boss, your spouse, etc. On the other hand, you don’t want to get… CONTINUE
Self-Improvement versus Self-Acceptance
Although I started playing the guitar at age 12, I’ve never been as good as I want to be. For better or worse, I am a natural born practicer. I often spend so much time practicing the guitar I forget to spend time simply playing the thing. It’s as if some part of me feels… CONTINUE
Getting Unstuck
When you watch an episode of a scripted TV show, you’re following an A story and a B story. In the A story, for example, Bill is trying to pull off one last big heist. But no matter how much he racks his brain, he can’t figure out a way to get into the bank… CONTINUE
Are You Selfless or Selfish?
From a certain perspective, everything you do is selfish. Why do you do something “nice” for someone? Maybe you expect something in return. Maybe you’d feel guilty or socially awkward if you didn’t do it. Or maybe it just makes you feel good to do something nice. Whatever the case, you’re doing something because it somehow… CONTINUE
Balancing Your Relationship
In most romantic relationships, there are two roles: the pursuer and the pursued. When these roles are out of balance, the relationship suffers. The pursuer wants more togetherness. She wants more quality time with her partner, more communication, more physical and emotional closeness. She wants more commitment, and often feels she isn’t the main priority… CONTINUE