This personal development lark can be a pain, can’t it?

When I started out, years ago, as a beginner in the never ending rigmarole of trying-to-understand-myself-and-be-a-better-person (and, while I was about it, an emotionally sound, pain-free, modest and cool person as well), nobody told me it would be tough.

I’ve often wondered, since than, how it would have been to have been blessed with self-satisfied ignorance. I’d have saved a fortune, not to mention a huge amount of time as well, in books, training, therapy… and all the things that cropped up and needed paying for or attending to while on my ‘journey’.

If I’d had the sense early on, I could have stayed where I was and simply gone to the pub each time I felt bad, and drowned my sorrows. How much easier it would have been.

I’m a psychologist, coach, and therapist. All my work is aimed at enabling people to improve personal aspects of their lives and work.

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"Train your mind to look for your successes. They are happening all the time, you just have to look for them."
"We only develop greater resilience when we are deeply emotionally connected to other people."
"If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right".
"Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should, nor that you have to".
"Simplify your life and work to be content. That will create the space for you to notice the joy. It's always there if you look."
“Personal Change Begins In The Imagination. You Have To Imagine It Before You Can Become It, Whatever ‘It’ Is”

3 Comments

Linda Newman June 15, 2015 at 3:00 pmLog in to Reply

Is this you throwing down the gauntlet Barry? If you now Know yourself pretty well and love yourself, then it was worth all trials and tribulations. Personally, in hindsight, I enjoyed my journey of discovery even though I spent lots of time and money on so many enlightening subjects. Bless you for being the wise sage that you now are. Linda
Carolyn Blanch June 15, 2015 at 7:22 pmLog in to Reply

It’s the “wondering”, “wandering” and the “why?” on our personal journeys of discovery that make life so very much more interesting than relying on an alcoholic haze to get you through – but I still enjoy a good wine or a decent beer!
This Short Life June 18, 2015 at 8:10 amLog in to Reply

I often hear “But it’s not easy!” from clients when talking about making changes (particularly changes to substance use). My question then is “Does it need to be?” I read a great article a while ago (can’t find it at the moment) that said what sets us apart is not what we want (because everyone wants a great job, a great family life, great health, etc), it’s what we are willing to struggle through and sacrifice in order to get it. Anything worth doing (parenting is a good example for many) isn’t easy.