Category Archives: self-awareness

*No one believes, but everyone thinks that everyone believes…

It is almost an implicit assumption that teams can make better decisions and perform tasks better than individuals can. This is true in certain circumstances and for certain decisions and tasks – but not always. For one, there are the … Continue reading

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Know thyself: How would you feel about a 360° assessment?

There are many reasons why people work with a coach. Two major reasons are raising self-esteem and changing behavior – generally with the ultimate goal of being more successful. The royal road to achieving these goals is raising self-awareness.

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Confabulation: Any idea why you just did that?

In his book titled The Happiness Hypothesis University of Virginia psychologist Jonathan Haidt defines “Confabulation” – that’s how people readily fabricate reasons to explain their own behavior. That might seem confusing and you might think “Why fabricate? Don’t we know … Continue reading

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Maximizing vs. Satisficing? How happy are you with your decisions?

Choose well, your choice is brief, yet endless.“ ~ Goethe Do you channel surf when you watch TV, even while attempting to watch one program? When you are in the car listening to the radio, do you often check other … Continue reading

Posted in change, decision-making, deliberative mind-set, expectations, happiness, Letting go, maximizer, mindsets, satisficer, self-awareness | Leave a comment

There’s nothing wrong with creating "worst-case" scenarios – as long as you don’t attach negative feelings to those scenarios.

When I first heard this statement during a leadership seminar, I somehow knew it was very important and would have far-reaching implications. At that time I preferred to ponder on it later and just noted it down. And since then … Continue reading

Posted in Automatic processes, Cognitive biases, Controlled processes, cost-benefit, decision-making, emotions, self-awareness, Self-limiting beliefs | Leave a comment

I thought I’ve already made up my mind! Stuck in a deliberative mindset?

I get frustrated with my occasional indecisiveness when it comes to some important decisions! At times I would even say I am a firm advocate of the “Assertive Right 4: You have the right to change your mind” from the … Continue reading

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Self-handicapping: Are you sabotaging yourself to avoid evaluation or failure?

I was watching an old episode of Grey’s Anatomy – my only TV addiction – where a lawyer who’s about to take the Bar exam in a few days for the 5th time is brought in for severe burns in … Continue reading

Posted in beliefs, expats, goals, mindsets, perspectives, self-awareness, self-esteem, Self-limiting beliefs | Leave a comment

Three fundamental human needs (Part 4): Can we be both autonomous and connected at the same time?

I think this is a question that many people struggle with from time to time.  The apparent conflict lies in thinking in terms of being autonomous/ independent versus connected as if these are two opposite ends of a continuum. If … Continue reading

Posted in autonomous, beliefs, connectedness, expectations, fundamental needs, Ideal self, need to belong, ought self, perspectives, self-awareness, social norm | Leave a comment

Three fundamental human needs (Part 3): Being competent

One of the reasons why many of us are reluctant to try new endeavors is our need to feel competent. Especially if you are used to feeling competent in different domains in your work, relationships or leisurely activities it is … Continue reading

Posted in Automatic processes, change, competence, expatriates, expats, fundamental needs, language, learning, self-awareness, self-compassion, self-control, Self-limiting beliefs | Leave a comment

Three fundamental human needs (Part 2): How well are you fitting in?

Last time I wrote about one of our fundamental needs – the need to belong. There are a number of secondary needs that result from that. Wanting to fit in is a consequence of our need to belong.

Posted in expats, language, need to belong, perspectives, self-awareness, self-compassion, social exclusion | Leave a comment