“Your heart is the light of this world. Don’t cover it with your mind.” Lighten Up in 2022 The solution to a problem is rarely found in the source of the problem. This is why it’s important to lighten up before tackling difficulty. Problem Solving from a Higher Place Positive emotions heighten our awareness and open our minds to... Continue Reading →
Psychology of Body Image: Don’t Believe Everything You Think
Perception versus Reality I was motivated to write this post and film an accompanying video after witnessing so many students overwrought by thoughts of inadequacy about how they looked. In reality, there was no doubt that they were healthy and whole, but in their minds, they believed the opposite. A phenomenon heightened by imaginary audience and... Continue Reading →
Acceptance: Your Peace Depends on It
Acceptance and peace go hand in hand. Watch Video — Click Here Consciously accept the good and the bad that exists in your life. The rain and the sunlight. The shadow and the light. Shift your focus. Change your life. Accepting what is does not lower the bar. Quite the opposite. Acceptance shines a spotlight on... Continue Reading →
Focus on what’s within your control in life & leadership.
When things go wrong, what do you focus on first? The world outside you or the world within you? The following is a video and activity overview from Part 2 of the 2020 SRC Leadership Development Workshop. Click Here for Part 1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVEjYGl9c0k Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of... Continue Reading →
Strength Based Leadership: ReThink Challenges
On January 11, 2020, I had the opportunity to work with the student leadership team at St. Clair College in Windsor Ontario. MISSION AND VISION The goal was to strengthen the bonds between team members and harness the power of their mission for the 12,500 students on campus. We talked about the many ways challenges... Continue Reading →
Delaying Gratification Doubles The Reward
Is it worth the wait? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXZvf2_UHJ0 Reflection Questions 1. Do you consider yourself a patient person, an impatient person, or an impulsive person? Give situational examples for each. For example: You may be more patient at work, but not at home. You may be able to control your impulses when it comes to food, but... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Focus Better
Why Can't I Remember Anything? One of the most frequent questions I was asked as a practicing psychologist and more recently as a psychology professor is why can't I remember anything. The problem is most likely a focusing issue — not a memory issue. An important distinction between memory and attention that I share in... Continue Reading →
My philosophy of teaching.
I have one intention in mind when I walk into a classroom: How can I warm up the room? 🔥 “Enthusiasm is contagious.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J4oL093oU0 In this short video I share the thoughts that go through my mind as I walk into a classroom and meet my psychology students for the first time. I also discuss the specifics of how... Continue Reading →
Optimism Bootcamp: 3 Steps to Empowerment
Nathalie Begin author of the Gutsy Feeling Blog invited me to give a positive psychology workshop called Optimism Bootcamp at a Symposium for Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. The audience was filled a very special group of people. Individuals that have been battling the chronic condition of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) their whole lives. Optimism and Health... Continue Reading →
Thriving Teams. Thriving Leaders.
LESSONS LEARNED In this post, I share the lessons learned at a thriving teams thriving leaders board retreat. It was a true team effort! With the team-building and leadership exercises equally led by the student leaders and myself. Please join in and explore the reflection questions, interactive activities, and workshop videos with the teams... Continue Reading →
Thriving Under Pressure — Leadership Training and Development
Fitness is more than physical. Recently, I was invited to do a Leadership Training and Development Workshop at a local kickboxing club. The ultimate stress release.This is where I go to cool my jets and find my joy. So, I was more than excited to take the leadership team's mental fitness up to the next level!... Continue Reading →
Shifting from anxiety to excitement
They say we only use 5-10% of our brain’s full potential. A statement I tend to agree with. Know thyself. Understanding ourselves better, including our brains, is always the first step in tapping into what’s possible, within, and all around us. Hacking the brain. Did you know that fear and excitement share the same set of neurotransmitters,... Continue Reading →
The unexpected benefits of stress.
Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. What you believe matters. The latest research in psychology examines stress in an entirely new... Continue Reading →
Enthusiasm is contagious
I believe in the power of education. Deep down in my soul. And it's this core belief that translates into a high level of enthusiasm and excitement for student success in my classroom.Video of Post: https://youtu.be/4J4oL093oU0 I believe so strongly in the impact of enthusiasm on motivating students, capturing their attention, and enhancing their learning that I wrote my... Continue Reading →
The upside of stress.
Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by the word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. Mindset is everything. Which is one of many reasons why I love Kelly... Continue Reading →