Marty Nemko's Blog, page 180

Waiting Wisely: Coping with six common situations

Waiting can mean worrying, often to no advantage. My Psychology Today article today offers thoughts on six common situations in which we have to wait.

Embarrassed, Alienated, or Dispirited: Questions for three types of beleaguered people

Not surprisingly, clients come to a career and personal counselor not just about practical how-tos like how to land a job or romantic partner but to get past feelings that get in the way. My Psychology Today article today offers composites of three such feelings. Each is followed by questions the person might consider.

How to Run a Meeting Crisply

People often complain about too many meetings, meetings that run too long, and just meetings, generally. I run many meetings and my Psychology Today article today describes ways to ensure that they're efficient uses of time.

How to Be a Good Guest at a Small Get-Together

Much has been written on the art of hosting, less on guesting. This provides a bit of remedy.

So, you’re invited to a small get-together, perhaps with you as the only guest. It’s an opportunity not just to have fun but to make or deepen a relationship. My Psychology Today article today offers tips on how to be an appreciated guest.

Too Smart for His Own Good: How intelligent people can avoid being off-putting

Many people wish they were more intelligent, but I’ve had clients whose very intelligence hurts them.  My Psychology Today article today offers a composite example followed by suggestions.

Thought Experiment: Imagine That Your Unhelpful Memories of Trauma Were Erased

Thought experiments can help people break out of a rut. One that I’ve developed is The Amnesia Experiment: Imagine that all your unhelpful bad memories are erased. That means that any residual negative effects of trauma vanish.  My Psychology Today article today asks you some questions to help you decide if you'd like to change anything about your life.

How Has Your Family of Origin Affected You? A story and seven questions for you

I often ask clients to describe how their family of origin affects their behaviors, feelings, and values. My Psychology Today article today offers a composite story that embeds common answers. That example may jump-start your own thinking on how your family of origin affects you today. To help further, I’ll then ask you seven questions.

Starting a Small Club

Whether virtual or in-person, a regularly meeting small group can be a rewarding tool for growth and fun. The focus could be on, for example, books, movies, sports, investment, or professional and personal growth, what I call a Board of Advisors. (I’ve written about this previously.)

My Psychology Today article today describes an approach to starting and running a small club.

How to Use Rewards and Punishments to Get What You Want

One of psychology's few unchallenged verities is behaviorism: You get more of what you reward, less of what you punish. There are nuances to make it more effective while remaining ethical. I describe them in my Psychology Today article today.

Should You Write a Memoir? If So, How?

I have decided not to write my memoir, mainly because I don' believe my life has been interesting enough and I’m not famous enough for it to be publishable.

But many people would be wise to write their memoir, even if it never sees the light of day. My Psychology Today article today asks questions that may help you decide. That’s followed by a step-by-step approach to creating one.