“Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must,” counseled Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. But what’s with the “must”, JW? When “must” we “endure”?
By the time you finish this column, you’ll realize you don’t need to ever endure life, but rather you can find enjoyment in every moment of it—even ... Views: 3204
OK, before you go all holier than thou critical, or laugh so hard you can’t pay attention to this content of this article, here’s what being “All FFF’d Up” means when it comes to the secret sauce of being fit. It means if you are going to stick to a fitness program, you need to have Fun, include ... Views: 2805
Ever travel with children or those needing assistance? Then you are quite familiar with the instructions flight attendants give passengers to put the mask on yourself first before helping others. Makes sense right?
Perhaps Lama Yeshe said it best, “Be gentle first with yourself if you wish to ... Views: 2688
How many times have you heard someone say something truly judgmental, obnoxious, hurtful, sarcastic or otherwise inappropriate only to be followed by a “Oh, I was only kidding.” There may also be a, “C’mon can’t you take a joke?” “I didn’t mean it.”
Here’s a simple fact: They weren’t ... Views: 2193
The self-help blogs and media are filled with useful information about positive psychology, becoming your best self, leading the good life, and the value and benefits of being optimistic, positive and hopeful. It’s next to impossible--from more than 3000 years of Judaism’s wisdom on happiness to ... Views: 2019
Of course that’s a provocative title. After all, we live in America where we have become anesthetized into believing that we must be ever so careful to avoid holding anyone accountable, answerable or responsible. Rather we prefer to blame a lack of self-esteem, a “bad” childhood, traumatic ... Views: 1909
Dr. Michael Mantell often quotes George Lucas' famous observation, “You can’t do it unless you imagine it.” This applies to elite amateur and professional athletes, CEO’s, high school seniors applying to college, couples on dates, and me writing this article. In fact, it’s a universal inborn ... Views: 1906
A client recently bought an expensive new car. He hasn't been the same since. He's been ranting about how expensive it is, how he shouldn't have spent so much, and on and on. I asked him about what type of options he put into it and he angrily spewed, "A - - - king navi system."
A navigation ... Views: 1897
There is no such thing as stress. Got that? Good. Then why are you wasting so much of your time with “stress management” programs, lectures, coaches, books, articles and websites? Could it be because you really don’t believe that there’s no such thing as stress?
Oh, I know it’s a cottage ... Views: 1831
Unattractive, stupid, lazy, lacking self-control…is that what you not-so-secretly think of the nearly 70% of adults with “overbesity,” that is, those affected by overweight or obesity? If so, read on. You may be a fat shaming bully and not even know it.
I was working out in the gym yesterday, ... Views: 1740
In 1988 when I wrote “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: PS It’s All Small Stuff,” little did I know that a number of years later my book would go into three printings, have an audio version, be celebrated and awarded wonderful titles like “Good Morning America’s” "Hot Pick" and “Publishers Weekly ... Views: 1736
No, of course you haven’t heard any good negative predictions lately. That’s because there aren’t any good negative predictions. There are only negative negative predictions. That’s because there’s nothing good about a negative prediction! Negative predictions can only be ... Views: 1693
When I go to the gym to workout, I want to untie the knots and jelly beans in my back and shoulders, unhook from the day’s residue of stress, release my brain’s “feel good” chemicals and build all-over body muscle power. I don’t want to deal with difficult people. Do you?
When you go to work, ... Views: 1616
George Eliot noted, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” If who you might have been is someone with more charisma, it’s definitely not too late to learn how to be just that.
There you are at the podium, presentation in hand but you’ve got one problem. Your hands are ... Views: 1602
Dr. Michael Mantell brings decades of experience in turning the most challenging workplaces around, often in partnership with leading human resource professionals. In this column, he describes the causes of negativity, the consequences of negativity and how to turn negativity into positivity and ... Views: 1576
"Dr. Mantell, what is it that keeps me back from reaching my goals in life?" I"m often asked about what is the single most impacting block to success. I ask in return, "What do you think of yourself?" No, not what do you think others think about you? But what do you think about you? Your ... Views: 1560
We’ve all heard about road rage. But, have you heard about the latest area for people to dump their anger? Desk rage. Well, maybe it’s not really the latest. I wrote a book about violence in the workplace in 1994, “Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace”. Same disease, now a new ... Views: 1504
Here’s the wisest elixir of happiness—gratitude.
That’s right, gratitude will fill your storehouse of happiness. What’s this have to do with health and fitness? Plenty.
You see the study of positive psychology, specifically the work of Sonja Lyubomirsky in her book, “The How of Happiness,” ... Views: 1498
For those of you who know me, you know that I’ve been a devoted tennis player. That is, until I injured myself and turned to other forms of exercise and activity. I didn’t say I was a “good” tennis player. I said I was a “devoted” tennis player. At least two, and more likely three or more times ... Views: 1475
You’ve read the screaming, deceitful, headlines about getting ripped abs. “6 Ways to Get Ripped 6-Pack Abs!” “How to Get Ripped Abs in Just One Month,” “Do This One Thing to Get Six-Pack Ripped Abs,” “Scientists in China have discovered a revolutionary shortcut to six pack abs” and so on. ... Views: 1465
When it comes to your health, self-care, relationships, your happiness and wellbeing, there’s only one thing that drives it all – yes, the link is what you think.
Try to imagine an emotion – happiness, sadness, worry, calm, fear, anger, love – without a thought first creating it. It can’t be ... Views: 1465
A recent Pew Research Center study of modern parenthood found that more than half of parents say they find it very or somewhat difficult to juggle work and family life. Dad are doing more housework and more moms are being are being paid for working out of the home. And the public is conflicted ... Views: 1462
There is an African-American proverb that says, “God makes three requests of His children: Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have, now.”
It’s that time of the year again, when the “Best of_____” lists begin to appear. You know these lists. They include everything from the best ... Views: 1461
A recent Pew Research Center study of modern parenthood found that more than half of parents say they find it very or somewhat difficult to juggle work and family life. Dad are doing more housework and more moms are being are being paid for working out of the home. And the public is conflicted ... Views: 1446
When Dr. Michael Mantell began a recent speeck quoting President John F. Kennedy who said, “So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness and sincerity is always subject to proof" little did he realize he'd touch the life of a mom in the audience. "Dr. ... Views: 1446
If you are like most folks who read websites, magazines, and newspapers today, you may be totally confused by the sensational headlines that deal with wellbeing, health, obesity, exercise, nutrition, stress and a whole host of other related topics. It seems that on Monday, obesity is caused by ... Views: 1427
Dr. Michael Mantell coaches people to stir their healing power in the medicine of laughter and play. Living with stress, feeling uptight, being worried, not sleeping, and thinking limiting thoughts, kill the joy in your life—as well as your health and wellbeing.
One of the best anti-stress ... Views: 1423
A recent Pew Research Center study of modern parenthood found that more than half of parents say they find it very or somewhat difficult to juggle work and family life. Dad are doing more housework and more moms are being are being paid for working out of the home. And the public is conflicted ... Views: 1418
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my WAM program for personal success, what about me? I wrote about three steps to “me,” self-compassion, including 1) welcoming yourself as a friend,
2) Acknowledging your strengths and successes, and recognizing that, 3) Mindfulness promotes it all.
... Views: 1417
Miley Cyrus who believes Donald Trump is a “F—king nightmare,” has said she’d “move out da country” if Trump wins. But wait there’s more. Far more. And in an age of positive psychology, meditation, gratitude journaling, “Namasta-ing” each other, and of course the multitude of mindfulness ... Views: 1414
Mental mastery, whether it’s for a business meeting, a physical workout, academic success or mindful meditation, requires that you fully engage your mind. We’ve learned through years of research that our brains are capable of continued growth throughout our lives, especially when we are engaged ... Views: 1402
"Come on, Dr. Mantell, you've practiced psychotherapy for more than 40 years, have been a transformational leadership coach and mentor. You must have some rules to live well that you'd be willing to share." Of course I do, and I'm happy to do so, But first, a question for you.
When it comes ... Views: 1399
Are you among the 80 million Americans born between approximately 1982 and 2001? Look around. Have you noticed that you make up about a third of your workplace? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has noticed and they say that what’s more, in just five more years, you presence will jump to 46% ... Views: 1386
It all began when I was studying psychology in college in the 1960’s. That’s not as far back as you think. Just think of Abraham Maslow writing his paper in 1943 on what he called the “Hierarchy of Needs.” Both he and his pyramid have been revered for more than 70 years. I’m pediatrics ... Views: 1386
There s/he sits in front of you or more likely in a text message, that “follow your dreams,” optimistic, confident, tolerant, ethnically diverse, born somewhere between 1976 and 2004, and from the most marketed to and most nearly technologically addicted, socially-networked generation in ... Views: 1386
Want to get active and healthy while also improving your romantic life? That’s right. The two go hand in hand. If you are concerned about your spouse’s/partner’s health, his/her weight or activity level, here’s a method for you to be a good role model for health, have some healthy fun with each ... Views: 1384
Righteous indignation. Proving your point. Being right. Holding On. Never letting go. Beating a dead horse. Having to win. Always coming out on top. Having to have the last word. Sound familiar? Then this column is surely for you.
I believe that peace is the single greatest good. Peace. You ... Views: 1382
Here is a novel idea if you are a tough boss. Get fair. Fast. That is, if you want to hold on to your employees, especially millennials. Whether your realize it or not, employees expect the American workplace to be a kinder, gentler place in which to work. So tough guy or tough gal, get ... Views: 1382
So you want to improve the way you and your spouse, partner, co-worker or friends at the gym communicate? There probably isn’t anyone anywhere that believes there isn’t room to improve in this most fundamental skill of life. If you disagree, at least do it agreeably ☺.
The very structure of, ... Views: 1377
Yes, I'm the same Michael Mantell who promotes “the link is what you think” and who believes, OK, thinks, that every emotion we ever have, ever, is first conceived and then anchored in the way we think. It's ALL in your head. Simply put, you not only won’t - but actually can’t- ever have an ... Views: 1371
Michael Mantell, Ph.D. is convinced that if there was a drug that offered all of the benefits that play does, it’d be the biggest seller on the planet. But who needs to buy a pill when play is free, available 24 hours a day, and no is ever prescription needed?
Plato did prescribe, “Life must ... Views: 1368
It’s that time of the year. It all starts popping up in the – often nonsense – media stirring headlines in late March, early April. “Get Flat Abs in 5 Minutes.” Yeah, right. “Get Your Beach Body Now!” Dream on.
If you type “bikini body” or “beach body” into your Google search engine, you will ... Views: 1350
“Dr. Mantell, it seems that ‘being authentic’ is the hottest topic in self-improvement. Is that true?” If 119,000,000 hits on Google means something is hot, then yes, authenticity - in our age of inauthenticity - is hot.
Just what does being authentic mean? Where does this originate? ... Views: 1348
“Why can’t things ever go right, just once in my life?” “I’m such a ________.” “I’ll never be as good as ___________.” “Why do things never go my way?” “Why can’t I ever succeed, just once?”
Sound familiar? Perhaps you’ve tried behavior and habit change methods to help you overcome these ... Views: 1333
It took quite awhile to earn that degree, to go on for graduate studies, to land that impressive job. And somehow, it’s still leaving you with thoughts of defeat, of fear and worry.
Or perhaps that degree and job hasn’t happened for you, it’s not where you put your skills to work. Perhaps ... Views: 1309
With all of the resolutions, intentions, goals and wishes you’ve considered for the new year, 2015, if one of them is to finally meet your true love, your “soulmate,” the person of your dreams, then be sure you take some notes on this article. You may just need them if walking down the aisle ... Views: 1307
Between L’Espalier in Boston Le Cirque, Eleven Madison Park and Bouley in NY, Restaurant August in New Orleans, Mélisse in LA, and Lulu in Palm Srings – I admit I’m having major food “cravings” just thinking about them as I write this article. These are the best in their respective cities in our ... Views: 1303
Sure, you may be thinking that word might be “hate,” “poverty,” “illness,” or “death.” No, these words are mild compared to the life-sucking, contentment-robbing, depression-boosting, anxiety-causing and anger-building word I’m thinking of.
That word is “should.” In the wonderful words of my ... Views: 1303
A recent Pew Research Center study of modern parenthood found that more than half of parents say they find it very or somewhat difficult to juggle work and family life. Dad are doing more housework and more moms are being are being paid for working out of the home. And the public is conflicted ... Views: 1298
Valentine’s Day may well have started as the Roman version of “match.com.” Young single men and women placed their names in a box, names were drawn randomly and couples were put together as partners for a year. After that it was up to them.
Robert Browning pointed to the essence of the ... Views: 1293