Motivate Yourself

Ever heard of neuroplasticity? It means the brain’s ability to change and a lot of research has been undertaken to show just how flexible our brain really is, and coming back from a holiday last month made me think.

Why did a couple of drinks with a friend of mine whilst on holiday become the best thing about the whole trip?

Have you ever pretended to be someone you’re not? Maybe it’s not a bad thing.

Today's episode looks at the importance of valuing your goals. Is the end result really that much of a priority?

This month I want to give you a quick Top 10 of the hints and tips that I talk about as a therapist when helping people to become happier

I Am A Liar! It’s true! I lie to myself all the time, and guess what? You are a liar too!! It’s true. In fact you lie so much, that you believe your own lies. You even have constant hallucinations that create a whole new reality around you. A version of your own personal world that is different to the reality that anyone else may experience. But here’s the good news. These lies that we all tell ourselves often make our lives much easier and are a actually completely normal cognitive processes. They might sometimes get in the way but one in particular is very useful indeed and prevents a great big black hole from appearing in your vision.

As the old saying goes “Be careful what you look for, incase you find it.” This month is all about a psychological tendency we all have, to search for or interpret information in such a way that our reality confirms our existing preconceptions. Even if our existing preconceptions are incorrect.

If you've ever thought to yourself, "One of these days everyone will find out that I'm not as clever as they think I am," then you're in good company

How do you think you'd feel if you encountered severe psychological trauma? Would witnessing 26 people being shot damage you or strengthen you? You may be surprised.

I regularly talk about new years resolutions being a bad idea for permanent success, but what if that's not always the case.

It's coming up to Christmas, so why not do something different with a podcast? Let me tell you a story…..

Reframing means looking at something with a better perspective. Something we all need to practise from time to time. Today Richard looks at examples of how and when we need to reframe something in order to encourage ourselves to be 'the best we can be.'

Why are there suddenly massive spiders roaming around UK houses? And what can psychology teach us that’s stops us from running away like a frightened insect? Today Richard looks at Arachnophobia and John Watson’s Little Albert ‘Experiment’

In my January podcast I briefly mentioned something that is often referred to as ‘The 10,000 hour rule’ for becoming a master of something. And it prompted an email from a listener asking me to confirm whether or not it is true, that 10,000 hours over 10 years is all we need to do to become the best we could possibly be. And the answer is......

It doesn't seem that natural to sit in a metal tube and be hurled through the air, yet it conforms with all the laws of physics. Although that knowledge isn't always enough to stop the anxiety about it. Todays episode is all about Fear Of Flying and how to overcome it.