Category Archives: Behaviour change

How ACT might change the story about addiction to fossil fuels

Posted on June 10, 2013 by

How can ACT help reduce excessive consumption of fossil fuels?  In this blog, the third and probably last in my series on ACT and environmental change, I want to critique an economist’s view of behavioural change and argue that ACT … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Meaning, Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, Values | 3 Comments

Understanding the Real You

Posted on June 1, 2013 by

As a psychologist, many clients want me to help them understand themselves better. Who am I? Who is the ‘real’ me? How do I become more like the real me? And because I am all seeing and knowing, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), Behaviour change, Organisations and careers, Psychological Flexibility | 5 Comments

ACT and conscious evolution Part A: Why cant we get our act together to respond to global change?

Posted on April 21, 2013 by

We live on a planet completely transformed by humanity.  Our impacts upon the planet are so great that scientists have now coined a term for a new geological age – the Anthropocene.   We are changing the climate, the chemical balance … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Decision making | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When Feeling Awkward Gets In The Way Of Change

Posted on March 28, 2013 by

Have you ever wanted to try something new but because it felt awkward you backed away from the change and went back to what felt more comfortable, even though part of you really wanted to persist with the change? I … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Values, Work | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

(How to) Stay on The F*****G Bus

Posted on March 17, 2013 by

I recently came across Helsinki bus theory, an interesting metaphor by the photographer Arno Minkinnen which is usually applied to creativity.  Being a big fan of bus metaphors, I started using it with my coaching clients and it resonates, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), Behaviour change, Decision making | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Dangers of Language

Posted on March 5, 2013 by

“So, how do you feel?” “I feel like I’m grinding through life, sort of like I’m pushing a heavy boulder uphill.  Every day I’m grinding forward, but it feels relentless.” “So how does this feeling of ‘grinding’ actually show up … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), Behaviour change, Mindfulness | 8 Comments

Closing the intention-behaviour gap

Posted on February 16, 2013 by

Over Christmas I put on an additional 3kg. I have been getting rid of it ever since and I have realised that losing weight is a fantastic practice in psychological flexibility.  Just about every minute of the day there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Fitness, Health, Mindfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Different Motivational Properties of Values and Goals

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

When committing to a new course of action it’s useful to distinguish between values and goals because they have different motivational properties. Goals can be achieved.  This is why they motivate – we enjoy the feeling of purpose and progress … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Decision making, Meaning, Values | 6 Comments

Training People To Do What You Want – Ethically

Posted on January 15, 2013 by

There is an episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon trains Penny to do what he wants. He uses chocolate. We are all constantly ‘training’ the people around us but we don’t usually use chocolates and it is rarely … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Relationships / communication | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

How You Can Make 2013 A Successful Year

Posted on January 3, 2013 by

So here we are in 2013. What will it take for you to define this year as successful? Let’s start by looking back on 2012. What did you achieve? What mistakes did you make? Where do you feel you failed? … Continue reading →

Posted in Behaviour change, Meaning, Values | Tagged , , | 1 Comment