Group Administrator

Have you ever heard of "either/or" thinking? It's a dangerous, but common, mistake many of us have been conditioned to make. 
 
"Either/or" thinking, or black and white thinking as it is sometimes called, is basically just what it sounds like. Either/or thinkers don't see shades of gray. They want easy answers to difficult questions, so they see life in terms of winners and losers, good guys and bad guys, success or failure, right and wrong.
 
What they fail to realize that right and wrong often depend on time, place, culture and purpose, among other things. They also fail… >>>

Many people look forward to retirement, but not everyone finds it pleasant when it finally arrives. How can you make the most out of your so-called "golden" years?
 
Retirement is a time that some people look forward to and others almost dread. One thing is certain, though, retirement is a time of life that produces many changes - and some of them you might not expect. 
 
For example, John Mosedale, author of "The First Year, A Retirement Journal" pointed out that not having a job any longer can mean a loss of self-esteem and a lessened sense of… >>>

How do you close the gap between the reality you are living in now and the life you want for yourself in the future? The life you are living right now is not the one you want to live. You could do and be so much more, and you know this. However, somehow things just never seem to change much for you.
 
Does this sound familiar? Are you, or someone you are close to, trapped in a life you don't want, feeling stuck and unable to move? Here is a suggestion for moving forward. Why don't you try imagining… >>>

Many people are afraid of failure, but do you know anyone who is afraid of success? Today, let's talk about this all too common problem. But first, ask yourself, "Am I afraid of success?"
 
Even if your first instinct is, "No, of course not!" think about it. Abraham Maslow, one of the great psychologists, called it a "Jonah Complex," because Jonah chose to turn away from the great things God had planned for him. The Bible tells us that Jonah eventually found himself eaten by a whale, but most people who fear success find themselves consumed by regrets for… >>>

What do you believe is possible for you in your life - in your job, with your family and friends, financially, intellectually, emotionally? This is a very important question, so think about your answer for a moment.
 
These days more and more doctors, psychologists, researchers and many others are beginning to realize that what we achieve and become in life has as much, or more, to do with our beliefs as anything else. Sure, there are some limits. As far as we know, we can't time-travel or live forever, and we can't change things like how tall we are… >>>

How confident are you that the decisions you make are good ones? What do you do if you are not sure? Today, let's talk about making decisions.
 
Have you ever watched someone throw good money after bad? Maybe it's their car - one expensive thing after another breaks down, but they just keep shelling out the cash to fix it. When you ask why they don't get rid of it and buy another, they tell you about all the money they've spent to repair it and keep it running. 
 
It seems to be human nature that when we… >>>

Does being alone have to mean loneliness? Not necessarily. In fact, there is a good chance we all could use a certain amount of solitude. How much time do you spend alone, and how do you use this solitude?

If you live with others, time alone may sometimes seem like a precious commodity. However, it is important that you arrange to have some time alone, now and then. Not just a few minutes or hours, either, but a significant chunk of time you can call your own.

If you live alone, you may feel isolated and lonely. Perhaps you try… >>>

How effective are you at getting your message across when you speak?  If you think you could be better, I have a few pointers that may help.
 
Lou Tice spent a large part of his life talking about human behavior to people all over the world.  Most of the public speaking he did was to large groups, but he also did quite a bit of one-on-one coaching. He learned what a lot of us have learned - that the actual words we say are only part of the picture when it comes to getting people to remember what we… >>>

What is the best way to teach children? There are many theories about the most effective way to teach children. Some say repetition is important, while others say hands-on experiences are better. Some say kids learn best in a highly structure environment, while others think the freedom to experiment works best.
 
Perhaps the best way to teach children - is by loving example. This means that if you want your children to enjoy reading, cuddle them while you read to them, from a very early age. If you want them to be respectful, give them your respect.  If you… >>>

Is it possible to have high self-esteem and humility at the same time? For over 40 years, The Pacific Institute's education been teaching people, from all walks of life, to raise their self-esteem and their self-efficacy.  Every now and then, someone will ask, rather nervously, if raising their self-esteem is going to make them into conceited, egotistical or selfish people.
 
Now, it is true that people with high self-esteem value their worth as human beings and as individuals. They enjoy their own company, and have confidence in their ability to overcome obstacles and to achieve the goals they have… >>>