Marty Nemko's Blog, page 190

Using Catastrophizing to Advantage: The mitigate-then-compartmentalize tactic

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Catastrophizing gets a bad rap: True, if we focus on the worst-case scenario, we’re more anxious, often without being able to do much about it.

But catastrophizing can also enable us prepare for that worst case or to reduce that fear by rehearsing it as kids do when, for example, playing with a toy fire truck.

We catastrophize not just about personal matters but societal ones. For example, after Donald Trump was elected, some people catastrophized that it would lead to America’s downfall. I had friends who planned to move to Canada to escape. Today, some people are catastrophizing Biden’s redistributive, leftward agenda, fearing it will turn America into a third-world nation.

How can we derive catastrophizing's benefits while limiting its liabilities? My Psychology Today article today suggests the mitigate-then-compartmentalize tactic

Career Counseling for Counselors; Self-assessment, growing, changing

The saying goes, “Physician, heal thyself."  Indeed, I've seen that be useful advice to counselors. Perhaps they’re so busy healing others that they neglect themselves.

As a small antidote, my Psychology Today article today offers thoughts on how counselors and other helping professionals might help themselves, in other words, counseling for counselors.

Earning More Money Ideas: Whether you're an employee or self-employed.

Especially in our COVID-stunted economy, you may be wondering how to make more money. That's true whether you're an employee or self-employed. My Psychology Today article today offers ideas that have helped my clients.

How-To-Do-Life Tips: 41 ideas on personal growth, relationships, work, and more

When I have a piece of how-to-do-life advice that doesn’t require a blog-length explanation, I post it on Twitter. Their concision may even make them more useful. My Psychology Today article today offers recent favorites.

An Acronym to Remember: Its letters stand for six pieces of potent advice on making the most of life

No one can keep in mind, let alone implement, all the good advice that's out there.

So as a thought experiment, I asked myself, “What have my clients found to be the most useful pieces of advice for making the most of life?" After listing them, I rearranged the first letter of each to make an acronym: HOME TV.  I explain it in my Psychology Today article today.

It’s Time: Thoughts and questions toward a better retirement

Many people reach the point when they know it’s time to retire. Of course, that evokes complicated feelings: anticipation, anxiety, excitement, fear. My Psychology Today article today offers thoughts and questions toward more excitement and less fear.

7 Alternatives to "Hi, how are you?" "Fine."

A Martian visiting Earth would have a hard time understanding why so many interactions begin with, “Hi, how are you?" "Fine. How are you?" "Fine.”

Yes, that's a social convention, a nicety designed to acknowledge the other person and give a moment to gather thoughts. But you might want an alternative or two to that old standard. I offer seven in my Psychology Today article today. 

The Power of Color: An easy, yet powerful tool for influence

There is an extensive research literature.on the psychology of color. My Psychology Today article today offers some findings.

Asking: Sample language for common requests at work, in relationships, and more

You ask and you get rejected.

You ask and you get no response.

You ask and they say “later.”

How you ask can improve your results.

My clients report that they’ve learned best when I teach by example and then ask them to say what principles were embedded. So, I do that for you in my Psychology Today article today.

5 Tips for Worriers

Many people would like to worry less. The tips I offer in my Psychology Today article today may help.