A Thinking Man

There are two types of managers that I hate: those that bully, and those that bend.  I have worked for both in equal numbers during the course of my career - two bullies, and two bendies (as well as the occasional ‘good guy’), and I have to say, I actually prefer the bullies to the [...]

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Sometimes (perhaps especially when on holiday) we often long for an anxiety-free existence.  However, in my book, that would be a bad thing.  Human beings have powerful emotional systems and anxiety is a natural feeling that arises in response to stress.  It is part of the natural flight-or-fight response that have enabled the human race [...]

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I can remember a dreadful journey from Norwich to Goole when I was 22.
It was my first serious job interview. I was feeling awkward and
overwhelmed. In my blind haste to get off the train and get to the
interview I opened the carriage door (it was a long time ago) and fell
several feet onto the track-side.
The [...]

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Are you a seagull?
Albert Ellis, a cognitive therapist, cited by the American Psychological Association in 2003 as the second most influential psychologist in the twentieth century, used to argue that most people had strong tendencies to be like seagulls. As a psychotherapist he was quite unusual in his methods and often did and said seemingly [...]

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Whenever someone asks me to fill a form in about my employment I delight in causing confusion.
“Are you employed, self-employed, or retired?”  I am honestly able to reply, “All three!”
Although it confuses others, it is quite clear to me.  I retired early from my career and receive a pension for 30 years of my labour. [...]

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As schools across most of the UK are about to start their Autumn terms, spare a brief thought for the teachers.  Although a few of them may have been swanning around for the past couple of months doing nothing but gardening, a few have been using the time to recover from the traumas of the [...]

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I mentioned in my last posting how communication was one of the issues that contributed to the high stress levels of my hospital stay. I want to expand on that today. However, I must acknowledge that the communication confusions were also a source of mirth, albeit unintended.
From my perspective there were four communication [...]

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“I resent my depressed wife” is the title of an honest piece published in today’s Times about a reader and his wife. When she became depressed, the quality of their life and relationship changed for the worse.
Depression can come out of the blue and touch even the most seemingly happy and well-adjusted people. [...]

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There is an account in English medieval records of two fishermen from Hull who had a frustrating experience.  They ended up in London and went into a pub and tried to order a meal.  All they wanted was a plate of eggs and potatoes.  Unfortunately it took them a very long time to get served [...]

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A friend of mine was attacked last week. She, a 24 year old woman, was standing in the driveway in front of her house in the afternoon chatting to a neighbour. A 55 year old disabled woman from across the square in a middle-class suburb, came towards her shouting abuse, then grabbed hold [...]

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