People get confused about focus. People say, ‘I cannot focus.’ In that moment this may be literally true, but they CAN revert back to the activity of focusing. Let’s say you’re really committed to reading a book, and you like … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, I’m told that I have Attention Deficit Disorder and I’m skeptical. It’s not that I don’t have problems paying attention; I do. I constantly lose interest in things. But even on medication I still have problems. Plus, … Continue reading
Q: What exactly is “tough love” and do you subscribe to it? A: “Tough love” refers to a true principle: The idea that just because you love someone doesn’t always mean you’re going to tell them what they want to … Continue reading
Are you impatient? Do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself and others? This is a major cause of the depressive feeling that life isn’t really valuable or worthwhile. Are you intolerant? Of course some things deserve intolerance—such as evil, or … Continue reading
A rational purpose is equivalent to being in a ship, on the ocean, with a compass/computer pointing you towards a selected destination. To have no rational purpose is like being that ship, completely adrift in the ocean with nowhere to … Continue reading
For motivation to take place, it has to be for yourself. It can either be: ‘I’m doing this exclusively for myself’ as, say, a novelist or an artist. Or, it can be: ‘I’m doing this for my boss but really … Continue reading
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MORALLY BAD FEELING. Feelings are automatic and not something you deliberately choose to have. Morality only applies to things over which you have control. So, if you have a feeling, the most you … Continue reading
Overthinking means unproductive thinking. I don’t like the term “overthinking” because it implies, incorrectly, that a certain amount of thinking is the right amount (what amount? never specified) and to go above or below it is irrational. This is no … Continue reading
Ultimately reason, facts and logic are more powerful than fear. The fear only seems powerful, but it isn’t, and once you start to ‘get’ this, it becomes easier. Fear is an indicator that you are in danger—not necessarily physical danger, … Continue reading
I realize that a rational person does not want to waste time. But wasting time implies knowingly squandering time. If you honestly believe you can accomplish something, and you seriously endeavor to do it, then you are not wasting time. … Continue reading
Discipline is the art of merging motivation with organization. You aren’t disciplined unless you’re dedicated to something. And you cannot be dedicated to something unless you WANT it. Before you strive to “learn discipline”, first figure out what you want.
I read a book some years ago called The Hamlet Syndrome. The book has some major flaws and I don’t necessarily recommend it, but one good point the book made had to do with the perils of thinking without action—i.e. … Continue reading