"Some things are in our control, and others not," states The Enchiridion – a compilation of the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. "Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and in a word, whatever are our own…
Author: Common Outlook Consulting Inc.
Wellbeing in Uncertain Times
Among many impacts, one of the most frequently reported effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic is a feeling of powerlessness / lack of control. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, you and I don't have any control over this…
The Scourge of Prejudice
Prejudice, from the Latin praejudicium or ‘pre-judgment’ (generally in a negative sense) is surely one of humankind’s greatest flaws. I cannot count the number of times I have negatively pre-judged a person or group – only to be proven wrong…
Navigating the Gloom and Doom
Yes indeed, managing the gloom and doom requires navigating. And as every good navigator knows, the first task is to look at where you want to go and then determine the best route to take. A good life-navigator also knows…
Criticize or Critique
Although the words criticize and critique are often used interchangeably, there is a huge difference between the two. Criticism perceives fault… says there is something wrong with an action, a behaviour, a performance. End of story. Full stop. A critique…
Taming the Inner Critic
We all have one… the inside voice that tells us we won't meet the challenge; that we don't fit in; that we won't – or aren't – doing well; that others are passing judgment on us. The Inner Critic is…
Fixed or Growth Mindset
Very early on in her compelling book Mindset, author Carol Dweck (a Professor at Stanford University) asks us to consider the kind of mindsets we carry, and in doing so, asks us to look at the beliefs that guide them.…
Negotiation and Authenticity
Although Magnus Carlsen was friendless and bullied at school, he had a very happy home life. His parents were devoted, and he had three loving sisters. The children invented creative games and made up songs, and it wasn't unusual for…
The Upside of Being Trapped
That initial sense of being trapped carries quite the SNAP! of realization, doesn’t it? Once that realization hits, the idea that we’re caught in something is almost debilitating, because it can permeate our being, and slowly spread into other areas…
How to Talk Yourself Down in One Second
The Sure-Fire One-Second Technique for Self-regulation and Self-management in Any Situation When something good happens to us – or when we do something well – we feel great. “I did a great job”, we say to ourselves. We feel confident…