Building Psychological Strength

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Where Are You Going In Life? Feb 27, 2023

I spent a couple years in Omaha in my late 20s. When my friend Marcel came to visit toward the end of my tenure there, he suggested that we go explore downtown.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked. "Let's just explore," he replied.

Just explore. Park the car. Get out. Wander...

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Peak Mind Pro: How to Help Others Develop Grit Feb 21, 2023

Who would you rather have on your team: the person with the natural talent, the one with the highest intellect, or the person with the most grit? 

I hope you opted for the gritty one.

While our culture tends to value natural talent and innate intellectual ability, the reality is that grit...

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Choose Your Hard Feb 20, 2023

It shouldn't be this hard.

I just want it to be easy.

I need a break.

Between my job as a psychologist, networking with other professionals, and just because I'm chatty, I meet a lot of people. People with different backgrounds, life situations, and pain points. Yet, I hear that sentiment...

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3 Psych Strength Lessons from a Chiefs Super Bowl Feb 12, 2023

Today is the Super Bowl (for our non-U.S. community members, it's like the World Cup of American football), with my city's the Chiefs versus Philadelphia's Eagles. This isn't something I'd say out loud in Kansas City today, but the truth is, I 100% do not care about football. 

I grew up...

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Stop Choosing to Suffer and Take Charge of Your Happiness Feb 06, 2023

"Look around at what you have with appreciation. Be happy with it, and if you aren't, reach a little higher,"  he said as we sat around the fire having a surprisingly deep conversation. 

Let me rewind. 

 

The Alaskans

This was about 5 years ago. I was fresh out of a break up...

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How to Stay Motivated Jan 30, 2023

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You come up with an idea - something you want to start or stop doing, a change you want to make, or some project you want to take on. You're gung ho. Motivation level 10...and then an 8, and then a 4. Your motivation wanes, and you don't reach that point you were...

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Validation: The Skill That Will Improve Your Relationships Jan 23, 2023

"You don't understand me!"

"I do understand you. I just don't agree with you."

Dramatically rolling her eyes through tears, she looks at me. "She just doesn't get it. It's like she doesn't even care." The teen doesn't see the pained look of defeat on her mother's face.

That's...

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Peak Mind Pro: The Biggest ROI Comes from Investing in Your People Jan 19, 2023

At the end of the day, business is about making money. Sure, there are many amazing companies and organizations out there who are dedicated to doing good, improving lives in some way, and taking care of their employees, but the bottom line is the bottom line.

To that end, investing in your...

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Ever Wondered 'Why Bother?' You May Have a Case of the F*-- Its Jan 16, 2023

Normally I don't have trouble coming up with topics for blog posts. I've either read or experienced something that sparks an idea, had a thought-provoking conversation, or seen a trend in my clinical practice (people seem to hit walls around the same time. It's kind of amazing, actually.). I have...

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Balancing Striving for the Future with Being in the Present Jan 09, 2023

I took some time off last month to do some traveling with my dear friend Natalie. 

 

Living by Different Rules

Natalie lives a different lifestyle than most people I know. When we met 16 years ago, she was doing the house in the suburbs, corporate 9-5 thing. Now she spends half the year...

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Happy Year of New: The Best New Year's Resolution to Make Jan 02, 2023

I don't know about you, but I’ve always loved New Year’s. It’s a time to reflect on the past and set aspirations for the future. Sure, we can do both at absolutely any time, but there’s something about the clean slate of a brand new year that makes motivation soar and more...

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Expressing Gratitude Nov 21, 2022

It's hard to believe that it's already Thanksgiving! Maybe it's just me, but time seems to be flying by faster and faster this year.

I tend to be non-traditional with holidays. Who I spend them with and how I honor them varies year to year, but Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorites. I...

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