The Overwhelmed Brain

Emotional Intelligence for Critical Thinkers

Perceptions and Why You Aren’t Always Right

What you perceive to be true and what is actually true aren’t always the same.

In fact, those two things can be so far removed from each other, you might wonder how you ever thought what you thought in the first place.

You are not always right, this you already know. But what about when you know you’re right and you decide to take action on that “knowledge”?

Who is affected by your behavior when you depend on a belief that may actually be incorrect?

Your perceptions define your reality, and your behavior is based on what you believe to be real. This article is a reminder that what you think is true may just be an alternate reality that you made up. [Read more…]

How embracing the masculine and feminine in you leads to a fulfilling life

masculine and feminineThe role you play in any relationship can either complement the person you are with, amplify the relationship, or be a repellent. When forming intimate relationships, the term “opposites attract” is more true than people think. Even in a business environment where there is a manager / subordinate relationship, usually opposites (at least in the form of masculine and feminine) play a huge part on whether they’ll get along or not.

However, when it comes to deep, strong friendships, “opposites attract” isn’t typically true. It’s here where finding an equal “energy” in someone can lead to a lifelong friendship. We all have both masculine and feminine aspects of ourselves, and knowing which one to utilize in each situation can lead to a much more rewarding, and fulfilling life.  [Read more…]

Saying “No” To Someone Reveals Their True Nature

What kind of response do you get when you need to honor yourself with someone by saying “no” to them? I had to do this once with a business partner, and it was one of the hardest things to do.

It wasn’t just a “No, I can’t help you”, it was a, “Hey, I know we’ve been planning a project together for over a month and a half now, and I know we’re going to have a conference call about it on Sunday, but I need to bow out now. I realize I’m fifty percent of the project, and that without me, you really won’t be able to finish it, at least in a short amount of time, but I have to back out.”

I’ll tell you, it was hard to click send on that email. It was an email instead of a phone call because I really wanted to word my message so it conveyed all my thoughts without interruption.

In a live call or conversation, you could say one word and the entire conversation could go into an emotional spiral. Tempers can flare and your message may never get heard. The only thing that might be conveyed is that you are abandoning them. [Read more…]

How your needs drive your behavior and motivation

Are all of your needs met? Do you know why you make the decisions you do?

Our needs motivate our behavior. If you respond to life’s events from a low level of survival, it’ll be more difficult to succeed in a loving relationship or keep steady employment or even gain a level of self-esteem and confidence. Let alone being able to pursue your hobby and passions.  [Read more…]

Are Convenient Beliefs Healthy For You?

A convenient belief is something you believe to be true, whether it actually is or not. It is a belief that is convenient for you because it serves a purpose in your life. A good example is distance healing. Sending your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes, or “healing energy” long distance to help someone heal may sound a bit ludicrous to some people. But for those who practice it, and can cite amazing results from doing it, they have no doubt it works.

So the question is: If the results are positive, does it matter if you can’t scientifically prove the process? [Read more…]