All Personal growth Articles

I have the world's best job. I'm a Futures Therapist. It's my job to help men, women, and children learn to live well in the world of the future. Really, there is no single future we are moving towards, but a number of possible futures. Most therapists are trying to help people to adapt to a world that no longer exists. Since the profession of Futures Therapist may be new to you, let me Read more...

Let's face it, no matter what the latest ups and downs we read in the news, the economy is still sick. And predictably President Obama's approval ratings are dropping. When he was elected most of the world felt hopeful that Mr. Obama could make a difference and turn things around within the country and with our relationships around the world. Democrats were looking forward to major changes in Read more...

Jed Diamond, Ph.D., is the author of The Irritable Male Syndrome: Understanding and Managing the 4 Key Causes of Aggression and DepressionDear Dr. Diamond,Over the past three years especially, I have noticed that my relationship with my wife has begun to deteriorate. In the past there were open displays of affection and frequent verbal affirmations. Now, I seem to be irritable all the time. Read more...

Even the most motivated of us -- you, me, Tony Robbins -- can feel unmotivated at times. In fact, sometimes we get into such a slump that even thinking about making positive changes seems too difficult. But it's not hopeless: With some small steps, baby ones in fact, you can get started down the road to positive change. Yes, I know, it seems impossible at times. You don't feel like doing Read more...

My friends sometimes tell me I'm obsessed with things coming to an end. Maybe they're right. I've been a psychotherapist for 44 years now. During that time I've treated more than 30,000 people. Most of them come to me because they are miserable and they want the pain to end. When they first come to see me, they usually have only a vague idea of what is wrong. Many are looking for a quick Read more...

See also: act local, economy, food, think global

Life is simple; it's the living that's tricky. Some complicate life by trying to meet the needs of too many people in too many different circumstances. Others bore themselves in front of too many screens. It doesn't have to be that complex or lifeless. To really feel alive, it comes down to two simple things. The first reason for living is personal fulfillment -- a sense of personal meaning, Read more...

In the world of math, a numerator is the number above the line. It represents a defined quantity of parts of the whole. A denominator is the whole, a below-the-line representation of all of the parts. Together, they form a fraction, a ratio of parts to whole. The pursuit of happiness is a fraction. The numerator represents how much you have. The denominator represents the whole of what you Read more...

Baby ducks learn to walk by imitating their mothers. Many species, including humans, develop much of their behavioral repertoire by following role models. One distinctive characteristic of humans, however, is that as we become adults we can choose whom and what to imitate. If you're interested in achieving your most important and ambitious goals then there's probably no better role model than Read more...

Most people are so busy reacting to the needs of daily life that they're happy just to be getting through the day. It's hard to live on purpose when life revolves around daily crises and you're always feeling overwhelmed. By taking the time to define your Purpose, you'll open up more time and space, have more energy, and be more focused. Your Purpose is not a big, burdensome, heavy weight Read more...

See also: dreams, life purpose, passion

Is there something you've been putting off learning, doing or seeing? Do you feel it's too late to try? Think again. Here are five things you may think you're too old to do but probably, happily, surprisingly, aren't. Get a Degree: Want academic letters at the end of your name? Clicks rather than bricks may be the way to go. "Do your research for an online learning program just like you Read more...

If you are trying to buy happiness, forget shopping. Research has long indicated that possessions don't add up to happiness. But you might want to invest in experiences. A new study suggests that a meal out or a night at the theatre brings a better return in terms of happiness for both the consumers and those around them. By satisfying a need for social connectiveness and vitality, those Read more...

Sure, we all know how to do nothing. We all know how to lay around and waste time. But many of us are too busy to do it much, and when we do it, our minds are often on other things. We cannot relax and enjoy the nothingness. Doing nothing can be a waste of time, or it can be an art form. Here's how to become a master, and in the process, improve your life, melt away the stress and make Read more...

For years I was confused by what seemed like dueling philosophies. The first held that in order to succeed, in order to build wealth, you must delay gratification. In other words, sacrifice today so you might live well in the future. The competing message was to live every day like it was your last--enjoy it while you can. I agree with both philosophies, and I've managed to reconcile the two Read more...

Life is full of options, there are the everyday choices—shorts or pants, sushi or Italian, the 405 or Sepulvada—and the life altering decisions—having a child, moving to another city, changing professions. The more mundane choices can be decided by weather, whim or traffic reports. But to make the really important decisions, those that determine the direction your life will take, you need Read more...

Barack Obama isn't the only baby boomer in the midst of a transition. Whether it's dealing with an empty nest, the end--or beginning--of a marriage; the loss of a parent or the birth of a grandchild, for most of us, mid-life is a time of transition. For some it's marked by a career shift, others it's a time to downsize or make a move toward retirement. Then there are the physical realities Read more...

Like many people, I am finding myself at point in life where I just don’t have the same willpower I once did. I tell myself to do things like eat healthier or get more exercise, but I’m just not motivated the way I used to be. When giving up is not an option, but motivation isn’t working, where else can you turn? Consider faith. Getting in touch with what you believe or hold to be true Read more...

When I recently spoke at a PTA meeting, a father was there with his young daughter while mom was working late at the office. After my speech, he turned to her and said, "Tell me one of your dreams." With a big smile she said, "Daddy, my dream is to be a teacher." I waited because the logical response I typically hear to this dream is "Teachers don't make enough money so Read more...

What's stopping you from achieving your dreams? Is there some habit or behavior that you keep repeating and all the while continually complaining about it? There is strength in recognizing our weaknesses and power in changing them. If you want to make a serious change in your life for the better, identify your so-called "bad habits." For some, when the pain gets too intense, the Read more...

See also: finding success, getting more done, improving your productivity, overcoming procrastination

There are the dreams you have for your life and then there are the dreams that life has for you. At times, we may wonder what's going on or feel lost, but life has its plan which may include your dreams ... or something completely different. We're all part of the fiber that makes life whole, and to that end, we have our place here. For such a time as this, you were created to do some Read more...

See also: dreams, personal growth, purpose in life