In my first article in this two-part series on the forces that shape our lives, I explored the five forces (genes, upbringing, popular culture, technology, and unexpected events) that I believe are most impactful on who we become, the choices we make, and the direction our lives take. In this article, I will introduce what [...]
Choices, options, alternatives, preferences, opportunities, decisions; these are all words that have a powerful impact on our collective psyches as human beings. They evoke free will and self-determination, the ability to become whomever we want to become, and the ability to opt for whatever road we choose in our life’s journey. Yet, whether we actually [...]
When most people think of sport psychology, they think about what is typically referred to as mental training. The purpose of mental training is to better prepare athletes psychologically and emotionally for the rigors of sport practice and the demands of competition. Increasing motivation, building confidence, managing competitive anxiety, and improving focus are common areas [...]
Over my decades-long history as both a blogger, author, and public speaker (as well as being a Ph.D. in Psychology who sees clients), I have come to appreciate the power of words. I often hear someone say that “it’s just a semantic difference” when discussing the use of different words that are seen as having [...]
In my last article, I introduced you to my concept of a "chamber of pain." In this Part II, I will show you how to empty your emotional chamber of pain. The only way to stop the toxic contents of your chamber of pain from contaminating your life forever is to empty it. At the [...]
My experience, both professionally and personally, is that few people emerge from childhood unscathed from their upbringings. You get your psychological and emotional baggage from your parents (e.g., neglect, abuse), peers (e.g., rejection, bullying), traumatic experiences (e.g., loss of a parent or sibling), or popular culture (e.g., unhealthy values, expectations), to name a few. Sadly, [...]
Is there anything more decidedly American than the pursuit of happiness? It is woven into the very fabric of the American ethos as “inalienable rights” bestowed upon us in the Declaration of Independence (“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”). Is there anything that we devote more time, effort, and money to than attempting to [...]
I was recently interviewed by Ahmann Carter, the founder of the Ideas X People podcast. The podcast focuses on my ideas related to performance psychology. Here are some of the specifics: Common performance obstacles The difficulty and rewards in working towards your goals, regardless of your outcome The importance of identity and intrinsic motivation in [...]
I just did an interview on a great podcast called As We Get Older with Bob Pessemier. He's a former firefighter helping guys learn to how to navigate life better. My interview is wide ranging covering topics such as sports, aging, family, emotions, and life.
The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented in its impact on all of us. It has put the physical and financial lives of billions of people around the world at risk, not only in the short run, but, in all likelihood, for many years to come. The pandemic is truly a once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) experience. Though the crisis [...]
