Maybe the Squeaky Wheel Shouldn’t Get the Grease
Personal developmentWe've all heard the saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." It suggests that we tend to focus on things that are not going well. While this can be good advice, it's not always the best approach. Sometimes, we pay too much attention to the…
How Successful People Leverage Failure and Rejection
Personal development“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
—…
It’s Probably Not About You: A lesson in not taking things personally
Personal development
Understanding the Root of Behavior
In moments when someone cuts you off in traffic or a friend acts snappy, it's easy to take their behavior personally. However, it's crucial to realize that more often than not, their actions are not…
Finances, Budgeting and Mental Health
Personal developmentThe Connection Between Finances and Mental Health
Finances are not the number one reason for suffering; it's an attachment to financial or material gain that is the root of suffering. However, money is often cited as the number one reason for…
Autism Spectrum and Making Friends
Personal development
Developing and maintaining friendships can be a rewarding and fulfilling aspect of life for teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While building social connections might present unique challenges, there are effective…
Preparing for College: A 6-Step-Guide
Personal development
Preparing High School Seniors for the Transition to College Life
The transition from high school to college marks a significant milestone in the lives of young adults. It's a time filled with anticipation, excitement, and even a touch…
Autism Spectrum and Dating
Couples and Marriage Counseling, Personal development
Going on a date can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience, especially for teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The key to a successful date lies in being authentic, respectful, and considerate of your own needs…
A Guide to Developing Strong Social Skills
Personal development
Navigating the complex world of social interactions as a teenager can be both exciting and challenging. Developing strong social skills is crucial for building meaningful relationships, fostering self-confidence, and preparing for success…
Effective Study Strategies for Teen Success
Personal development
Navigating the world of academics as a teenager can be both challenging and rewarding. Developing effective study habits is crucial for achieving academic success while maintaining a healthy balance with other aspects of your life. In this…
Linus Drops his Blanket
Personal developmentIn the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown frantically asks if anybody knows the true meaning of Christmas. The eternally sweet Linus, with his security blanket in tow, walks to center stage of the school auditorium, drops his security…
Dealing with Toxic People
Personal developmentDealing with Toxic People: How to Protect Yourself and Support Them
Recently, there has been a lot of attention on how to recognize and minimize contact with toxic people. While it is important to take appropriate steps to protect yourself…
Understanding Toxic People
Personal developmentDealing with Toxic People
Dealing with toxic people can be a difficult task, but it's important to remember that with the right knowledge and practice, you can protect yourself and avoid being pulled into their negative vortex. This article…
Mindfulness and honesty
Mindfulness, Personal developmentTo completely experience the here-and-now, truthful mindfulness is required
Mindfulness and honesty are intricately intertwined as you must be completely honest with yourself about what is going on at any given moment. Genuine honesty first…
Mindfulness, Discipline, Application
Mindfulness, Personal developmentBegin personal change with mindfulness, discipline, and action
Mindfulness
Personal change is a process that requires a conscious effort to shift one's behavior and thoughts in a new direction. This process can be initiated by mindfulness,…
Mindfulness: Understanding and Knowing
Mindfulness, Personal developmentPracticing Mindfulness: Balancing Intellectual Understanding and Experiential Knowing
When it comes to practicing mindfulness, it's important to recognize the value of both intellectual understanding and experiential knowing. Intellectual understanding…
Creating the Mindful Mind
Mindfulness, Personal developmentThe Practice of Mindfulness
The word "mindfulness" is becoming more familiar to the general public, and that's a good thing. In a world full of violence and heartache, a mindful mind can help relieve suffering. Mindfulness is the practice of…
Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness, Personal developmentMindfulness: The Art of Being Present
When you look at the child in this picture, notice the 10,000-mile stare. This gaze is called the "10,000-mile stare," and it happens when someone is totally absorbed in the moment. His eyes are open, but…
Mindfulness Series
Mindfulness, Personal developmentI've discussed the importance of mindfulness in almost every post on my blog, so I figure that doing a brief series on mindfulness would be helpful.
Visit the Mindfulness Archives to see all articles about Mindfulness.
Learn more about…
2016 - Jonathan F. Anderson, LPC-sMetacognition: Awareness of Awareness
Mindfulness, Personal developmentHow Mindfulness Practice Cultivates Metacognition
Metacognition is a valuable outcome of mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is the practice of noticing what is in your awareness without judging it as good or bad. For example, consider the mild…
Pain is a Feeling . . . Suffering is a Thought
Mindfulness, Personal developmentThe Difference between Pain and Suffering
When you stub your toe, you feel pain physically. Suffering, on the other hand, is the mental turmoil that arises when you judge the pain, the situation, or even yourself. For instance, when you blame…
Extracting Rejection
Personal developmentUnderstanding Extracted Rejection
Extracted Rejection is a phenomenon where one perceives rejection after an event has taken place, even though the facts suggest otherwise. It is different from Anticipatory Rejection, which occurs before a…
Anticipatory Rejection
Personal developmentAnticipatory Rejection: What It Is and How to Overcome It
Anticipatory rejection is a pattern of behavior where you reject yourself before others have the chance to accept or reject you. This self-defeating habit can prevent you from forming…
Basics of the Mind
Personal developmentThe mind is a complex process involving urges, thoughts, and drives that lead to behaviors that are either encouraged or discouraged though either pleasant experience or unpleasant experience. To understand how this vastly oversimplified explanation…
Meditation
Personal developmentYou've probably seen meditation in the news over the past few years. It is an empirically validated practice that changes your brain structure, chemistry, and function. And it's not about an empty mind . . . it is actually a mindfulness practice.
It…
Brain Science
Personal developmentBrain science (neuroscience) involves the physical structure of the brain, its biochemistry, and experiences that help shape it. A brain repeatedly subjected to trauma (physical or emotional/chemical) is more likely to suffer some difficulty.…