Here's an idea that can have real impact in a person't life.

When someone says “I’m unhappy”, “I need to see you in my office at 3.00”, or “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”, the chances are the listener will provide their own overlay of meaning and start to worry. In which case, it’s the MEANING (not stated but provided by the listener) which triggers the worry.

Whatever the information the speaker intends to convey gets overshadowed by the meaning the listener imposes on it.

Now you know that, listen for how to use it.

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Transcript: How Meaning Shapes Your Emotional Life.

#tinycast #tinycastuk #findingmeaning #attributions #hurtfeelings #mentalwellbeing #personalgrowth

In this short episode, I take a serious look at how the explanations we have for other people’s behaviour can wreck our peace of mind, and our relationships. You’ll hear how a single, emotionally charged explanation can take over your thinking, make you ruminate, and turn minor conflicts into major problems.

The episode offers a foolproof yet powerful technique to free you from these distorted explanations by generating alternative explanations. This is not about excusing bad behaviour, its about setting you free from the limitations of a harmful and distorted style of thinking by developing mental flexibility. It’s a simple way to a single, toxic idea from running your life.

Got a question or comment? Contact me.

#ExplanatoryStyle #MeaningMaking #CognitiveReframing #Rumination #tinycastuk #MentalFlexibility #Relationships

Episode Transcript

We are seeing a noticeable drop in standards of public courtesy. I think we all know some of the contributors, public figures and politicians giving free rein to their and fleeting judgments and prejudices with no regard for the normal rules of civil discourse.

This appears to be affecting how we, the public, act when trying to get our needs met, particularly when we are under pressure. Little thought seems to be given to some of the people whose jobs involve dealing with the public. Is it time to name bad behaviour and call it out?

Got a question or comment? Contact me.

#tinycast #tinycastuk #badbehaviour #difficultpeople #trump #incivility #relationships