Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Psychology’ Category

If you’d like to be polite by trying a dish someone else has made, but suspect you will not like the dish, take only a small portion at the start of the meal. Then, if you like it, you can take more. If you don’t like it, you can give the impression that you like it [...]

Read Full Post »

To cultivate a respectful beneficial relationship with a new doctor, don’t tell him what you think you have; tell him what you are experiencing and then, if you’re really worried, ask if he thinks you might have what you suspect. This is a good rule of thumb to apply with any other service provider, as well.

Read Full Post »

New to a small town? Here’s a general tip: don’t see a doctor in the same small town unless you don’t mind sharing secrets.

Read Full Post »

Controversy over Harajuku street fashion, in particular anime inspired street fashion, has been growing with the rising cognizance of the persona Venus Angelic (Venus Palermo). While some embrace Venus, others complain about odd obsessions. As much as one might be repelled by or mock the persona or culture, something to remember is that, historically, people such [...]

Read Full Post »

Scientists have identified a number of ways in which people can maintain a healthy brain and mental agility, such as through diet, exercise, meditation, education, pharmaceuticals, sleep, and games. Following is a list of a few resources for free games. Let us know if there are others that you’d recommend. Pogo Its Your Turn Penny Dell Puzzles Sudoku-Puzzles.net [...]

Read Full Post »

To socialize convincingly, you must appear engaged. This means exhibiting interest in the person, which can be demonstrated by following up on conversations and remembering matters important to the people you speak with, such as the number, names, and ages of their children. For tips to improve social success at work: Ways To Improve Socialization At Work

Read Full Post »

Recognize your biases and note how your actions reinforce the biases of others. Originally published 13 July 2010.

Read Full Post »

Don’t let people know you are angry. Practice smiling so that it comes naturally under a variety of situations. Displays of emotions can either empower you by influencing others or empower others by enabling them to read and thereby influence you.

Read Full Post »

Few parents want to yell at their children, yet nearly all do. We don’t condone yelling at children, but, if you slip, turn it into a teachable moment. When you cool off, sit down with your child and invite him to share his thoughts and feelings about the experience. Listen to him – don’t turn [...]

Read Full Post »

Businesses seldom receive positive feedback from customers. If someone does something exceptional, engender additional good behavior and reward the employee by letting the business know. Take five or fewer minutes to type or jot a short note, or have a brief conversation with a manager. On the flip side, many businesses will reward negative customer feedback with reimbursements, rebates, vouchers, or coupons. But, customers are rarely [...]

Read Full Post »

If you don’t care, there’s no reason (excuse) to not be empathetic.

Read Full Post »

Often, our aspirations are set by our parents. Our parents communicate what is important, what generates value in their lives, through their actions. Parents who work endless hours for their employers communicate to their children that working endless hours is how one emulates maturity and demonstrates commitment to his employer. Step back. Reassess your values. [...]

Read Full Post »

Accept that at times you will fail. Likewise, when you do fail, remember that you will experience success again. By the time we retire, we’ll most likely have racked up more failures than successes by nature of living long lives and having the courage to try things. It is the successes – such as marriage, [...]

Read Full Post »

Generally, fact matters less than perception: perception is fact to the perceiver – it doesn’t matter what was the real intent or what was really done, what matters is how people perceive the words or actions. It is because perception forms reality that it is possible to change a person’s understanding of reality.

Read Full Post »

To be satisfied at work, you have to accept that it’s okay to be occasionally dissatisfied with your job. Not every day is going to be rosy.

Read Full Post »

Each of us has knowledge or expertise that someone else does not. We can all take pride in this.

Read Full Post »

Even painful moments can enrich your life if you let them.

Read Full Post »

Even if you are not convinced of it, someone somewhere loves or cares about you.

Read Full Post »

If “why not” cannot be explained, then “why” should be asked. If something seems irrational but you cannot explain why it’s most likely wrong, then time might be better spent and answers found by looking into why it happens.

Read Full Post »

If you’re finding it difficult to motivate yourself to workout, think of how great you feel afterwards or the wonderful effects the exercise is having on your appearance.

Read Full Post »

A secret is something you know that others do not. Something ceases to be a secret once it is shared, whether it is shared with you or you share it with others. If someone has shared it with you, likely the “secret” has been shared with others.

Read Full Post »

Haunted house producers, don’t direct your audience to not touch your actors if you have not communicated a hands off policy to the actors. Even if you have communicated a hands off policy to your actors, any actor that comes into physical contact with an audience member should not be surprised to find himself knocked [...]

Read Full Post »

In natural disasters, people tend to run to hardware and general merchandisers for survival products. As such, these stores can be wiped out of survival products quickly. If you’re ever in such an emergency and unable to find supplies at these big box stores, try a retailer that sells camping or sports equipment, instead. Often, [...]

Read Full Post »

Before committing to moving somewhere new, look into the community’s infrastructure. For example, how old is the infrastructure? How often do they experience electrical shortages? How quickly are electrical shortages resolved? How often do they have water contamination issues? How are water contamination issues resolved and how quickly?

Read Full Post »

If you’re embarrassed now, don’t worry. There’s a very good chance you’ll experience something even more embarrassing in the future.

Read Full Post »

No matter how bad things might be or feel, it could be worse. For example, our universe could be sucked into a black hole.

Read Full Post »

Playing games to introduce people in the workplace is a juvenile approach. If you wouldn’t do it when introducing friends or neighbors, you certainly shouldn’t be doing it in the workplace.

Read Full Post »

Within your mind is a universe in which you create your own worlds and adventures, limited by your imagination and desires only.

Read Full Post »

Most actions are based on probabilities.

Read Full Post »

Sometimes it is best to give a person space. If a person exhibits rising tension, anxiety, or frustration, don’t hang over them. Give him a break. If you become too much of a pest, you can damage your relationship with that person. The person might be driven to avoid you because it is apparent you’re unable to [...]

Read Full Post »

Don’t let people control or affect your decisions through guilt or derision. If the only reason you might change a decision is due to someone else’s negative response, consider the purpose your decision is intended to serve and whether your reason for changing your decision is worth not fulfilling that purpose. For example, if someone’s [...]

Read Full Post »

If you want to attract more people, don’t assume that people don’t want to be with you; assume that they want to be with you and be surprised if they don’t. Often, a person’s assumptions affect the way the person approaches situations. If the person assumes he will fail, then his request might be effusively [...]

Read Full Post »

If you want to maintain the appearance of being young, don’t complain about – or comment on - matters related to your aging.

Read Full Post »

Don’t prioritize a pet over a child. Such behavior is never cute. Consider what prioritizing a pet over a child communicates to that child. A child recognizes that a parent has given greater status to a pet within a family than the parent’s child. Depending on the child’s age, such behavior can compel a child [...]

Read Full Post »

If you’re dissatisfied with the tone of a situation, try taking control by changing the tone. The tone in a situation is set by several factors, such as language, voice, body behavior, conversation topics, and actions. Changing the tone of a situation requires reinventing your part in the situation. Following are suggestions of ways in [...]

Read Full Post »

Spinning or manipulating facts is a form of lying.

Read Full Post »

If you love something, set it free. If it returns, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.* Members of the TPLL team have been debating the following distinction between love and ownership in relationships. What do you think? An expectation to be a person’s only source of happiness suggests ownership, not love. Such expectations [...]

Read Full Post »

Rituals create a false sense of control. But, sometimes that’s all that’s necessary to maintain control over one’s corrupting emotions.

Read Full Post »

Take care when using rhetoric; the recipient might take what you say seriously and can be offended, or think you’re simple.

Read Full Post »

Don’t assume everyone thinks like you and shares the same experiences; success often requires accepting, understanding, or adapting to these differences.

Read Full Post »

A way to gain additional background into a sensitive matter is to pretend to know nothing or very little about that matter. Generally, if one person believes a second person is unaware of a matter, he’ll provide details necessary for the second person to agree with the first person’s opinion. Further, the first person will [...]

Read Full Post »

Even though you might have prophesized something, don’t expect to receive credit for your foresight. People might not remember, and those whom do might not feel grateful for the forewarning.

Read Full Post »

If you apologize for something but the person thinks you’re apologizing for something else, don’t correct him. It’s apparent that he is more concerned about the other matter than the one for which you are apologizing. Don’t create two things for which to apologize by raising the first matter again.

Read Full Post »

The fallacy of the adage “youth is wasted on the young” is that there is insufficient time to realize every aspiration. Time is only wasted by those whom can leave the sofa but never do.

Read Full Post »

Another way to project wisdom is through efficient, effective, and eloquent communication. Being able to successfully communicate a thought with the fewest amount of words and simplest language leaves more time to focus on other things and circumvents confusion and frustration. Equally important is successfully determining the best format under which to communicate your message and understanding [...]

Read Full Post »

Sometimes, you must play it safe in order to be a hero. Recently, a group of snorkelers was trailed by a great white shark in open water. As the large fish circled, one of the snorkelers stayed in the water to help others board the yacht. She put her own safety at risk, trying to [...]

Read Full Post »

People who swim with sharks shouldn’t be surprised to be bitten.

Read Full Post »

To empower your employees to speak their mind, you must listen.

Read Full Post »

If you’d like to cogently communicate to your partner your appreciation of her figure, present to her a gift of lingerie you’d like to see her wear. This conveys that you find her so appealing that you enjoy and seek opportunities to view her body. (Usually, such gifts are modelled for the gift-giver.) Also, giving gifts of lingerie demonstrates an interest in participating in your partner’s process of [...]

Read Full Post »

Don’t worry about the things you can’t do; worry about the things you can do but don’t. “While there’s life, there is hope.” – Stephen Hawking

Read Full Post »

Generally, people remember your most recent accomplishments only, and never forget your failures.

Read Full Post »

1 out of every 100 people is a psychopath. (Not all psychopaths are murderers.) Generally, their actions are taken out of self-interest. In work, your actions should be taken out of your self-interest. Nobody is obligated, and few will be inclined, to put your self-interest before theirs. If your actions are taken out of love and [...]

Read Full Post »

Give yourself a virtual vacation by carving out time occasionally to do something you enjoy, such as a quick hike in the woods, an extra 15 minutes to sleep in, dining out with a friend, or eating a box of chocolates in front of the TV, during hectic or stressful times. Bodies and minds both need time to unwind, [...]

Read Full Post »

If you want an idea of what a community is like, take a look at its infrastructure. The condition of bridges, roads, and other public resources reflects a community’s ethos: it’s priorities, whether the culture is collaborative, the extent to which it is egalitarian – rewarding people based on merit rather than privilege or status, and [...]

Read Full Post »

If you want respect, never act like someone is more important than you. Be courteous, but never servile.

Read Full Post »

Many affect a persona in different situations. For example, a person might pretend to be helpless, insecure, or weak to elicit the assistance of others; seductive and playful to escape a bad situation, such as a ticket; incompetent or foolish to make others feel better about themselves or to avoid certain responsibilities; a queen bee to control the actions [...]

Read Full Post »

Some say we must accept how and who our loved ones are when entering a marriage because no one changes in a marriage. In fact, it’s the opposite. We must adapt in order for our marriages to be successful. If we are capable of change, so are our partners.

Read Full Post »

Rather than give up hope, reimagine your dreams.

Read Full Post »

Living every day as though it is your last deprives you of your future.

Read Full Post »

Don’t let yourself be immobilized by fear or feeling of lack of accomplishment. The only way to accomplish something is to step towards that accomplishment. Don’t be discouraged by your age or adversity. As Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes, J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, Susan Boyle, a singer that placed second on Britain’s Got Talent [...]

Read Full Post »

When parents have children, they have an important decision to make. With children, the parents created a new family. The parents must then decide which to prioritize more – the families into which the parents were born, or the family the parents created. This is a genuine decision as, rather than being objective, some parents [...]

Read Full Post »

It’s nearly indisputable that the way we approach and live our lives impact our longevity. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between positive outlooks, an ability to adapt to stress, and longevity. Likewise, numerous studies have shown that negative responses to stress and feelings of low self-worth can negatively impact our health and longevity. It’s [...]

Read Full Post »

If you’re committed to putting your children first, understand your ability to affect the feelings of your children in a divorce or separation. It’s inevitable that the actions of a parent or family member might disappoint your child – such as by not showing up to a child’s event, responding poorly to demands on the [...]

Read Full Post »

Flipping our post about interpreting body language, Reading His Lips, on its head, take care not to give yourself away through your body language. If you feel your body responding to a situation of anxiety, fear, or anger, try to slow things down. Slowing down the situation will provide your body time to recover and disguise [...]

Read Full Post »

Obesity is growing across the globe. As is the stigma related to obesity. If you care about the person you are with, and that person has self-esteem issues, don’t put down someone else’s body in front of the person you are with. Additional reading: How Western Diets Are Making The World Sick

Read Full Post »

You don’t gain respect from people whom constantly demand you appease them by predictably obliging at your expense. If you want people to value your opinions and contributions, you must demonstrate that you have opinions and contributions by which you abide. For what do you stand? Do your principle goal posts move each time they are pushed? If [...]

Read Full Post »

If you no longer want to be the victim, stop acting the victim. If you’re repeatedly “victimized,” evaluate your actions and look inwards. It could be your behavior – or your misperceptions – contributing to your situation.

Read Full Post »

We anticipate a rise in the incidence of disputes over the care of an aging family member as people seek to gain control of the wealth of the baby boom generation. We foresee the tactics used to gain control over the baby boomer, and thereby the baby boomer’s wealth, mirroring those used in child custody [...]

Read Full Post »

This post will be released in two parts. First, we address the concern. Tomorrow, we will propose solutions. With the size and age of the baby boom generation, we foresee a surge in family disputes over the control of a baby boomer’s care – and thereby control the boomer’s wealth – as the generation continues [...]

Read Full Post »

Sometimes bullies can be discouraged through means other than violence, such as by acting and sounding intimidating. For example, a voice can be applied to control some situations. This was illustrated in a recent episode of CSI, “The List.” In the episode, Dr. Langston used his voice to intimidate a prison population while investigating the murder of [...]

Read Full Post »

There’s no need to tell someone you “think” something when you’re telling that person what you think. That’s redundant. For example, when you’re communicating that something works best, there’s no need to tell the person, “I think this works best.” It’s apparent that you think it works best by telling the person, “This works best.”

Read Full Post »

A lesson from Wisconsin’s battle over public unions is that it pays to take advantage of the general public’s short memory by front loading any controversial actions. This allows time for tempers to cool and the subject matter to lose priority in peoples’ lives. The same lesson can be applied at home. If you have bad [...]

Read Full Post »

Another take-away from the crisis of Japan is having the grace to put the welfare of one’s family and community before one’s self when a difference can be made. The tradition of sacrificing oneself for the good of the group is deeply ingrained within the Japanese culture. As such, it is not surprising to those familiar with [...]

Read Full Post »

A lesson from the crisis in Japan is not to lose your cool in a disaster. If a person loses his head, he reduces his ability to help himself for several reasons. First, the person can be viewing the situation through blinders obscuring potential solutions. Second, people are generally less responsive to a person acting [...]

Read Full Post »

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his 1933 inaugural address.) We fear because we have imagination – we imagine what can happen to us. Without that, what or why would we fear? For example, why do most people fear heights? Because they imagine themselves falling. (Even though the source of fear is our imagination, [...]

Read Full Post »

If you want someone to save you, you must be willing to save yourself. Two TPLL contributors invested several years and thousands of dollars trying to help a person who claimed to fear for her life in an abusive relationship. Yet, each time the contributors stepped up to the plate to help her – taking [...]

Read Full Post »

Lessons from the Wisconsin public union battle: The sooner you accomplish something, the sooner people forget. By launching the battle immediately following the last big election, Governor Scott Walker and the Republican members of Wisconsin’s congress front load the risk of their controversial actions. (It also creates more time for public union financing to dissipate [...]

Read Full Post »

Kids, adults might not tell you this, but, people never really grow up. The “adult” mindset is a fallacy. Why else would an adult refer to his actions as a 40+ year-old as a “youthful indiscretion?” Or, be on one’s third marriage – as the result of an affair – at nearly age 70? Many adults [...]

Read Full Post »

Several lessons can be learned from the recent controversy involving NPR’s Ron Schiller and James O’Keefe’s organization, The Project Veritas (“the video-gate controversy”).  First, perform appropriate vetting before making an investment. In the video-gate controversy, the prospective donors’ credentials were not properly investigated. As a result, Ron Schiller and his colleague were reportedly unaware that they were victims [...]

Read Full Post »

If you’re in a position of management, or want to maintain the respect of others, don’t advertise when someone spits (figuratively or literally) on you. While it might help you vent your frustrations to complain about someone cutting you off, deliberately costing you a dime, or making you late, it also puts you at the [...]

Read Full Post »

When everything is taken away from the poor, what more is there to take?

Read Full Post »

Learn to read body language and respond to what people are telling you through their actions. For example, if someone leans away or steps back from you when you lean in or step closer, she is communicating that you’re too close or that she is afraid of or insecure around you. Insecurity can also be projected by a [...]

Read Full Post »

Youth, consider the long-term consequences to some of your decisions. You may be able to have just as much fun while implementing simple solutions that will circumvent the long-term negative consequences of some decisions.  For example, partying in front of giant speakers at a rave might be fun, but, is it worth the intense ear ringing you’ll experience throughout life? [...]

Read Full Post »

Long-term predictions are a surefire way to look like a prophet, or a fool. Strengthen an argument by focusing on immediate or short-term consequences and alternatives. (Misspellings and incorrect word usage are also surefire ways to look foolish.)

Read Full Post »

Occasionally we need to vent. Generally, the workplace is not the best place to vent. If you need to vent in the workplace, put it in writing. Don’t put it in writing with the intent to send it, but, as an outlet. Type what you’d like to say to or about the person in an [...]

Read Full Post »

Just because a person does you a kindness doesn’t mean she’s offering you friendship or ever wants to hear from you again. Try to keep things in perspective and understand why a person is stretching her hand out to you.

Read Full Post »

Don’t expect dogs to think or understand things the same way you do. If you provide a dog a treat, such as food from your plate, for a special occasion more than once, he won’t understand that the treat is for a special occasion. He will expect to receive more in the future and can become a pest [...]

Read Full Post »

Ever notice that when some people try to explain their reasons for doing something, they respond in second person, using language that projects their actions onto the listener? For example, when a person is asked how he feels about his parents winning the lottery, he might say, “you are surprised when you learn it’s your parents [...]

Read Full Post »

People who say women are not cruel apparently never lived or attended school with one.

Read Full Post »

A common axiom provides that if you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes truth. With modern technology, one does not need to repeat a lie for it to become truth. A rumor or fiction told in a movie, on TV, or over the radio can be amplified and retold through various forms of electronic media until it’s rabidly accepted as [...]

Read Full Post »

Women with small breasts, or large stomachs in comparison to the size of their breasts, can make their breasts look larger and their stomachs smaller in business suits by buttoning their suit jacket up to, but no higher than, just under their breasts. The lapels of the jacket swell out, which, enhanced by a dress shirt buttoned [...]

Read Full Post »

Read Full Post »

The difference between coincidental and deliberate is a pattern.

Read Full Post »

If you’re having back pain, trouble sitting or standing up straight, feeling out of shape and don’t have time to work out, or don’t feel graceful, try yoga. Yoga stretches muscles, and improves breathing and posture. It can raise metabolism and, unlike other forms of exercise, can be performed during most daily activities, such as bathing, [...]

Read Full Post »

If you think something is wrong that could affect your physical safety, do not be afraid to speak up. Nor be embarrassed to have spoken up if your fears are not realized. A little over a year ago, a fire broke out in one TPLL contributor’s workplace. Even though the fire alarm went off, most of [...]

Read Full Post »