The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

How would you rate communication with your spouse? Are you a 10: interaction is perfect and both of you feel understood? Are you a 1: there is no exchange? Or are you a 5: there is some discussion but a lot of confusion? Where ever your score (unless you are a perfect 10), your communication can be improved. The quickest way to move up the scale is to stop some bad communication habits. Lying – Even small lies have consequences and a pattern of lying breeds mistrust. Not listening – Thinking about what you are going to say instead of what is being said. Interrupting – Causes frustration and demonstrates a lack of respect. Getting distracted – Other things/people are more important than your spouse. Failing to prioritize – Produces a “Chicken Little” situation – “The sky is falling.” Taking things personally – Not all comments (direct or indirect) are about you. Assuming – This makes an “ass out of you and me”. Name...

  By Laura Hull, LMFT   Coping Coach     I remember life before “the diagnosis.” It’s been over 15 years now, but I remember the cold chill that ran down my spine when the doctor told me that I had an autoimmune disease that would challenge my life going forward. Life changed that day. It was day one of a journey in the re-defining of “me.” Priorities changed, perspective changed, and I found out quickly that the volume of stress, much of it self inflicted, that I had allowed in my life up to that point had contributed, as least in part, to the situation I found myself in….it cost me something in terms of my health. I hope what I will share challenge you to consider the risk and potential consequences of unrecognized/unmanaged stress.   I counsel people to consider the consequences of stress on both their physical health and emotional health.   While no one can avoid stress completely, I think most of us, at times, blindly sign o...

By Aaron Welch, LMHC, NCC               Recently, Ichiro Suzuki slashed his 4,000th hit in professional baseball.   It was also revealed that he has the most hits in his 13 year major league career than any player has EVER had during a 13 year stretch.   That is amazing, considering how many incredible hitters there have been in the history of the major leagues.   Ichiro is supremely talented as a baseball player, blessed with great hand-eye coordination, blinding speed, and a rifle arm in right field.   However, one doesn't get to 4,000 hits just because of talent.   Ichiro has also been a tireless worker in honing his craft.               I heard a great story about Ichiro.   It referred back to when he first came to America from Japan to play with the Seattle Mariners.   He and his wife informed the Mariners t...