Author Archives: Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

Three fundamental human needs (part 1): Need to belong and why I might be having difficulty making Dutch friends…

Posted on Juli 03, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

“Life in a foreign country is a dance of submission and resistance. Self-knowledge comes in small repeated shocks as you find yourself giving in easily, with a struggle, or not at all. What can you do without? What do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Automatic processes, autonomous, competence, Dutch, expatriates, expats, language, motivation, need to belong, reciprocity, relocation, social support | Leave a comment

Are self-affirmations only for high self-esteem people?

Posted on Juni 23, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

A recent article in Psychological Science (March, 2009) by Dr. Joan Wood and her colleagues from University of Waterloo has stirred up quite a bit of discussion about the value of self-affirmations. People started questioning if we’ve been all wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in mood, self-affirmation, self-control, self-esteem, stress | 7 Comments

Run beyond the boundaries: Changing the self-limiting beliefs

Posted on Juni 18, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

Last time I suggested that you reflect on the self-limiting beliefs (SLBs) if you would like to make better use of your potential to reach your ideal-self and your dreams. If you have a list of these SLBs that have … Continue reading →

Posted in Confirmation bias, Ideal self, self-control, Self-limiting beliefs, self-regulation, social support | Leave a comment

Are you setting yourself up?

Posted on Juni 12, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

‚“Rabbits have a powerful notion of their territory. They stay inside the self-proclaimed boundaries no matter what. Even if a coyote chases them to the brink of their known land, and escape is in sight, they will turn around and … Continue reading →

Posted in Automatic processes, Controlled processes, Self-limiting beliefs | Leave a comment

Why do some decisions feel better than others – that is, independent of the outcome?

Posted on Juni 04, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

In an earlier post I wrote about different ways/orientations to set goals and regulate behavior – prevention and promotion focus: First one referring to a focus on absence of negatives, and the latter one to achieving positive things. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in motivation, prevention focus, promotion focus, self-regulation | Leave a comment

You are an expat, therefore….

Posted on April 07, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

Anyone who hasn’t been stereotyped or prejudiced against? The answer is rarely “Me!”. So it’s highly likely that you’ll relate to what I’ll describe in this post – especially if you are among the “people on the move”; a group … Continue reading →

Posted in expats, expectations, Saboteur, Self-fulfilling prophecy, stereotype, stereotype threat | Leave a comment

Do I need to change my stereotype about the Dutch?

Posted on April 04, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

Yes, I took too long of a break from writing, and I have many exciting things to write about – from my trip to Turkey, to the inspiring seminar panel “From Diversity to Inclusion” organized by the Netherlands – Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in career, Confirmation bias, gender, social norm, stereotype, work-life balance | Leave a comment

"Let’s go for it!" or "Be careful!" What do your goals look like?

Posted on März 11, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

I’ve always wondered why some people are content with minimal goals they must attain, while others go beyond what is “necessary”… And here’s a theory that has helped me understand the differences: Self-Regulatory Focus, by  Dr. Tory Higgins (yes, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ideal self, motivation, ought self, prevention focus, promotion focus, self-regulation | Leave a comment

"It takes backbone to lead the life you want, Frank."

Posted on Februar 25, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

April Wheeler: Don‚t you see? That’s the whole idea! You’ll be able to do what you should have been allowed to do seven years ago, you’ll have the time. For the first time in your life, you’ll have the time … Continue reading →

Posted in coaching, emotions, Ideal self, ought self | Leave a comment

On missing Vancouver and letting go…

Posted on Februar 21, 2009 by Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff

I meant to write about our fundamental need to perceive our world as stable and predictable. How we need an anchor. I sat down at my desk and thought having a slideshow of random photos on my computer combined with … Continue reading →

Posted in Letting go, Need for security | Leave a comment