Creative solutions to complex and challenging problems come from a willingness to constructively navigate civilized disagreements
Conflict is natural and often unavoidable. But when emotion takes centre stage, it can lead to hostility. We've all encountered unproductive, frustrating or infuriating situations. We know how they make us feel. What's often less obvious is the degree to which nonverbal nuances contributed to the problem. Take the way our facial micro gestures (specifically around…
Take your mind off automatic pilot and get it to work for you rather than against you
When left to our own devices, we humans have the capacity to create 'worst case scenarios' that play around in our heads unchecked and often without boundaries. When this happens, it paralyzes us and prevents us from speaking up when someone hurts our feelings, springing into action on an exciting opportunity or doing what needs…
Don't waste your energy on something that is not worth wasting your energy on
You don’t have to love them, but life is so much easier when you are polite to people, regardless of how they behave toward you. Have you ever had to deal with offensive customers, or colleagues? It can be a real challenge to keep your cool when your inner voice is screaming, “You’re a jerk!…
Learn how to express your feelings in more productive ways and keep an explosive temper from hijacking your life
Anger doesn't have to hijack your life. Anger is a natural emotion that helps protect us from real (or imagined) attacks against our physical or emotional well-being. When used appropriately, anger can motivate us to achieve goals we would otherwise be too afraid or lazy to pursue. In this way, anger may not be a big…
Learn how to express your feelings in more productive ways and keep an explosive temper from hijacking your life
Anger doesn't have to hijack your life. Anger is a natural emotion that helps protect us from real (or imagined) attacks against our physical or emotional well-being. When used appropriately, anger can motivate us to achieve goals we would otherwise be too afraid or lazy to pursue. In this way, anger may not be a big…
Life is all about choices so if you're continually frustrated, you have chosen to remain that way
Have you ever been frustrated? Probably a time or two! Frustration isn't actually a problem for most people; it's what we don't do about it that's the problem. Frustration frequently leads to worry, anger, inaction, and stress. So who needs frustration? No one. While you probably can't avoid frustration, you can do something about it.…
Because they enjoy feeling powerful and they like it when their targets don’t stand up for themselves
I was once asked if it was true that 68 per cent of bullying is same-gender harassment. What a great question. I’ve always contended that girls can be more vicious than boys in many ways, especially when they are in middle school and high school. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much the same when they leave the…
Regular open and honest communication with your child’s teachers is definitely the best policy
While your kids are at school, it may be a good idea to think about the important, even essential, relationship you and your child have with those people responsible for your child’s education: teachers. As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child. When it comes to academics, you know for a…
It's difficult to deal with idiots, but once you recognize the types you can build strategies to minimize their impact on your life
Life is a learning process: what works and what doesn’t; how to behave in public, with family and in the workplace; and especially what sort of people we want to be around and who we’d rather see sent to Mars. Even if it hurts to admit, we’re all guilty of behaving like idiots at times…
Bad neighbours are a fact of life, but before you end up in a feud, there are a few things you can do to find peace
Some neighbours are great. You visit over the fence, call when you need help and pitch in when the hard work needs to get done. But not all our neighbours are so fabulous. My son has a frustrating renter and a messy neighbour. The renter’s dog barks constantly. There are truck parts in the alley and somehow this…
Conflict is natural and often unavoidable. But when emotion takes centre stage, it can lead to hostility. We've all encountered unproductive, frustrating or infuriating situations. We know how they make us feel. What's often less obvious is the degree to which nonverbal nuances contributed to the problem. Take the way our facial micro gestures (specifically around…
