Q: Dr. Hurd, I failed to be connected with my girlfriend in my last relationship. What do you think could cause this problem? I don’t suffer from depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. Why didn’t it work? A: By ‘connected’ I … Continue reading
People are always asking me: How can I become more organized? Here’s an exercise to get you started. Make a ‘brainstorm list’ of as many things as you can possibly think of that exemplify ‘more organized behavior.’ Include things that you … Continue reading
If you wait for happiness, you’ll be disappointed. This is because if happiness comes your way, you won’t understand why or how it did. It will all feel so fragile and uncertain. If happiness doesn’t come your way, then you’ll … Continue reading
The current American President called terrorist-sponsoring Iran a “great civilization” and proclaimed it has “earned the respect of the United States and the world.” Here’s an alternative view from Iranian dissident Kianoosh Sanjari. “Mr. President,” wrote Sanjari last January 20, … Continue reading
It’s best to focus on today, here-and-now, because that’s where you have control. Make reference to the past so as to look at what did and didn’t work, and why. The purpose of doing so isn’t insight for insight’s sake, … Continue reading
Reality is rarely a catastrophe. Repeated efforts to avoid reality make it seem like a catastrophe. Avoiding reality leads to ineffective results, which in turn–over time–can develop into disasters. But most of the time, they’re disasters that need never have … Continue reading
In order to preserve and expand government programs such as Medicare, Social Security, and all the new ones being proposed, government must have money. A poor country could not create programs because there would be no capital to tax and … Continue reading
Constructive criticism consists of objective feedback given after the completion of a task. “Hypermanaging” consists of interfering and providing feedback–constructive or otherwise–before a task is completed. For example: “You didn’t do that right.” Reply: “I’m not finished yet.” Counterreply: “That’s … Continue reading
Expertise comes from experience. “Book learning” or abstract knowledge matter too. But they matter only in the context of experience to reinforce and integrate the abstract material. If you have lots of experience at something, you’re definitely an expert. If … Continue reading
Under capitalism, I work for myself and you work for yourself. Under socialism, I work for myself — and for you. Under socialism, you work for yourself — and for me. Wait a minute. If each of us works either … Continue reading
“President Obama” is the result of people recognizing, correctly, that they need a leader — and incorrectly assuming that ANY leader will do. Obama looks, talks and speaks like a leader, if you pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to any … Continue reading
The President and Congress are proposing elimination of the mortgage deduction on “rich” homeowners. In exchange, they’re going to essentially nationalize the banks and the entire mortgage market. They also propose elimination of tax deductions on those who pay for … Continue reading