COMPLAINING OR USEFUL FEEDBACK? Point of view can make a difference…
Has someone been complaining about your child? Maybe it’s the neighbor who thinks there’s way too much noise in your home. Or the teacher who has let you know there are challenges at school and that your child needs to do the homework, be less talkative, comply with school rules, Continue Reading
BODY LANGUAGE: MORE POWERFUL THAN SOME WORDS! It’s often what you do, the gestures you use, that can make all the difference!
“Jeff” stormed into my office, clearly infuriated with one of his college professors. And it was equally clear that he wanted me to tell him he was right! To tell him that he had good reason for telling that professor exactly what he thought of her! After all, she’d embarrassed himContinue Reading
DO YOU REALLY DISAGREE? Family history, life experiences, & mood can influence how we understand and react to what we hear.
“Interesting. I’ll really need to think about that a little more.” You’ve made a suggestion to your boss, and this was her response. So what do you think? Does she really find your idea interesting? Is this a polite way of letting you know your input was considered briefly – thenContinue Reading
IT’S NICE TO KNOW OTHERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOU! But, too much concern might make you want to fight or flee!
Someone in your life is concerned about your well-being. For the umpteenth time, that person has inquired about your well-being. At this point, what you’d really like to do is just say “STOP!” And you might just start feeling like a rebellious kid again – complete with eye roll andContinue Reading
FOR MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION…LISTEN MORE THAN YOU TALK! YOUR TURN WILL COME: Many arguments happen when two people talk and neither really hears the other.
Have you ever listened to two or more people doing what I call “parallel arguing?” Each person is so invested in making that all-important point, that no one hears anyone else! I’ve been spending way too much time lately listening to some political talk shows. Doesn’t matter which party, whatContinue Reading
FAMILY COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES: Visiting with your family? Try a different approach!
Your family might not be so perfect — but changing your story can help you feel better.
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on family connections – mine and others. Some families really seem to get along well, have a collective sense of humor and mutual understanding, resolve differences eventually, and stay connected across miles and generations. Those are the fortunate folks that others tend to envy.Continue Reading
YOU CAN CHANGE THAT ANGER HABIT!
It was supposed to be just an ordinary conversation. All you really wanted was to get your point across – quietly and without conflict. But, suddenly, there you are again – in the middle of an argument you’d planned to avoid. And, once again, someone is angry at you –Continue Reading
HABITS I’VE DISCOVERED I REALLY DON’T NEED! AND – THOSE I WISH I HAD! How new habits can work to reduce your stress and anger.
HABIT: an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habit) When I started this blog, my plan was to write at least two posts each week! Well – a quick glance at my posts will quickly show that I’m not even close to achieving thatContinue Reading
Tips For Handling Those Moments When Passion is About to Overcome Reason – and your words are about to change everything!
If only those folks who are so irritating knew how you really feel! How angry, frustrated, upset you get when they just haven’t gotten the point! If only they knew and would change their attitudes so that you could get your needs met and so that they could help youContinue Reading