Personal change occurs most effectively when you focus on your core concern, versus distracting side issues - often little more than symptoms of your core concern.
Focus is everything when it comes to rapid personal change, and only you can define your particular core concern. This is where the Personal Change Indicator (PCI) enters the self-assessment scene.
When you complete the PCI you will quickly surface your core concern. Once aware of this basic, driving concern, you can take Focused Action, which means doing what you need to do to resolve that core concern as quickly as possible.
You may not know how to take Focused Action and this is where coaching enters the scene. It is not always easy to know 'what to do' and coaching from me, another coach, your minister, pastor, close friend, can help. Of course, the more objective the other person is when trying to assist, the more useful coaching can be.
Eliminate guess work and complete the PCI.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Social Learning Theory & Focused Action
Dr. Julian Rotter's Social Learning Theory (SLT) was the first Cognitive-Behavioral-Psychological-Theory and the stimulus for an abundance of respected scientific research.
For his pioneering work, Dr. Rotter was ranked by his peers as one of the most eminent Psychologists of the 21st Century, defining our rational and problem solving capabilities within his expectancy based model for behavioral change.
SLT is also widely recognized for its unique emphasis on the role of the Psychological Situation in the prediction of goal-directed behaviors. Consider the following:
You anticipate success in a tennis game, but not in bowling, because you are skilled at tennis but not so good at bowling. Simply put, your behavior is the direct result of your expectancies your tennis play will be rewarded, but not so in bowling.
Personal change is most probable when you anticipate your new behaviors will actually lead to achievement of your short and long term goals. This is where the Personal Change Indicator (PCI) enters the scene. The PCI replaces vagueness with clarity as you quickly learn to focus your energy on achievement of highly valued goals. In short, you will do the most important things first. This is referred to as Focused Action.
Focused Action is based on your anticipation your new behaviors will actually lead to valued outcomes. This is where self-care education becomes all important. The following example may help:
You rate back pain as your number one personal concern and want to learn how to prevent the pain in the future. Through self-care education, you acquire new and useful self-care behaviors expected to produce reductions in future back pain, better golf, a happier, more satisfying life, and the list goes on. Your life improves as the direct and predictable result of Focused Action.
This is basically how Social Learning Theory works and how it will accelerate effective problem solving behaviors and valued changes in your life.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
For his pioneering work, Dr. Rotter was ranked by his peers as one of the most eminent Psychologists of the 21st Century, defining our rational and problem solving capabilities within his expectancy based model for behavioral change.
SLT is also widely recognized for its unique emphasis on the role of the Psychological Situation in the prediction of goal-directed behaviors. Consider the following:
You anticipate success in a tennis game, but not in bowling, because you are skilled at tennis but not so good at bowling. Simply put, your behavior is the direct result of your expectancies your tennis play will be rewarded, but not so in bowling.
Personal change is most probable when you anticipate your new behaviors will actually lead to achievement of your short and long term goals. This is where the Personal Change Indicator (PCI) enters the scene. The PCI replaces vagueness with clarity as you quickly learn to focus your energy on achievement of highly valued goals. In short, you will do the most important things first. This is referred to as Focused Action.
Focused Action is based on your anticipation your new behaviors will actually lead to valued outcomes. This is where self-care education becomes all important. The following example may help:
You rate back pain as your number one personal concern and want to learn how to prevent the pain in the future. Through self-care education, you acquire new and useful self-care behaviors expected to produce reductions in future back pain, better golf, a happier, more satisfying life, and the list goes on. Your life improves as the direct and predictable result of Focused Action.
This is basically how Social Learning Theory works and how it will accelerate effective problem solving behaviors and valued changes in your life.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Interpersonal Trust
For those interested in 'theoretically' defined constructs, you will find Dr. Rotter's Social Theory (SLT) definition of the word trust interesting.
In SLT, Interpersonal Trust is defined as "the expectancy others will do what they say they will do."
Internal Locus of Control, discussed in another of my Blog posts, addresses feelings about ourselves and the important role personal skills play in the achievement of our goals.
Interpersonal Trust addresses how we feel about others and whether we actually believe they will do what they say they will do. Let's see how this works ...
Let's say you believe someone else 'will do' what he/she says they will do" Let's also say you are involved in an important relationship, such as a marriage or business partnership. With trust we can work together and accomplish our goals. Without trust, we will be reluctant to invest either emotion or money. It's just too risky.
Trusting relationships must develop out of a bedrock of experience and be sustained because of validating outcomes. Simply put: We have to do what we say we will do and so must the other guy. This is a requirement of Interpersonal Trust and this determines, in part, our ability to work effectively together. There is no way around this, nor should there be.
All successful, healthy, relationships require trust and trust is the outcome of validating experiences we have had - and continue to have - with each other - over time.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
In SLT, Interpersonal Trust is defined as "the expectancy others will do what they say they will do."
Internal Locus of Control, discussed in another of my Blog posts, addresses feelings about ourselves and the important role personal skills play in the achievement of our goals.
Interpersonal Trust addresses how we feel about others and whether we actually believe they will do what they say they will do. Let's see how this works ...
Let's say you believe someone else 'will do' what he/she says they will do" Let's also say you are involved in an important relationship, such as a marriage or business partnership. With trust we can work together and accomplish our goals. Without trust, we will be reluctant to invest either emotion or money. It's just too risky.
Trusting relationships must develop out of a bedrock of experience and be sustained because of validating outcomes. Simply put: We have to do what we say we will do and so must the other guy. This is a requirement of Interpersonal Trust and this determines, in part, our ability to work effectively together. There is no way around this, nor should there be.
All successful, healthy, relationships require trust and trust is the outcome of validating experiences we have had - and continue to have - with each other - over time.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Internal Locus of Control
Internal Locus of Control is a contruct derived directly from Dr. Julian Rotter's Social Learning Theory. It has been highly researched for years with results supporting the basic SLT assertion: "Those who expect valued rewards to result from their own actions are most likely to achieve success." They are referred to as Internals because they are internally motivated and self-directed.
Externals, on the other hand, expect chance, luck and the actions of powerful others to play a more significant role in their lives, successes and good fortune. Externals are thus more likely to check out the casino and try their luck at the slots. You might find Internals in the casino, but not at the slots. They will be found in a skill based poker game or watching others lose their money.
So, what does this have to do with you and your voice matters? The answer is simple ...
If you are internally oriented, it is likely you will find this Blog of interest. Why? Because 'your voice matters' is focused on skills and actions you can and will engage in to more successfully orchestrate your personal and business lives.
Internals and Externals, your involvement is warmly received and most welcome.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Externals, on the other hand, expect chance, luck and the actions of powerful others to play a more significant role in their lives, successes and good fortune. Externals are thus more likely to check out the casino and try their luck at the slots. You might find Internals in the casino, but not at the slots. They will be found in a skill based poker game or watching others lose their money.
So, what does this have to do with you and your voice matters? The answer is simple ...
If you are internally oriented, it is likely you will find this Blog of interest. Why? Because 'your voice matters' is focused on skills and actions you can and will engage in to more successfully orchestrate your personal and business lives.
Internals and Externals, your involvement is warmly received and most welcome.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Tension Management & Relaxation
I published Tenson Management & Relaxation with CV Mosby/Times Mirror in 1982. Relaxation Therapy was a central component of the overall program, as was our first, paper and pencil version of the Personal Change Indicator, (PCI) now free on this Blog. We now measure over 1500 personal concerns, versus 52 concerns on the original version. The current online This is Me! report also does the analysis for you, and PCI results are immediate.
With RT facilitating Relaxation Skills and the PCI facilitating Stressor Identification Skills, the process of Tension Management and Relaxation was well on its way.
Your interest in self-navigation and self-care is central to this Blog. It's about what you want to and can do for yourself. It's about Internal Locus of Control, a central construct of Julian Rotter's Social Learning Theory (SLT). I was Dr. Rotter's lead research associate for several years and a dedicated student of SLT, the first Cognitive-Behavioral Psychological Theory - with a genuine scientific foundation and supporting research data. Simply stated, SLT offers a model for solving human problems and this is what yes your voice matters is all about.
Throughout this Blog, you will observe a consistent emphasis on education, self-care and internal locus of control. Our society is deeply troubled economically and people are seeking change. Yes, change is needed and this proceeds at its best, one person at a time. This Blog has one simple, fundamental objective: I want to help you better help yourself.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
With RT facilitating Relaxation Skills and the PCI facilitating Stressor Identification Skills, the process of Tension Management and Relaxation was well on its way.
Your interest in self-navigation and self-care is central to this Blog. It's about what you want to and can do for yourself. It's about Internal Locus of Control, a central construct of Julian Rotter's Social Learning Theory (SLT). I was Dr. Rotter's lead research associate for several years and a dedicated student of SLT, the first Cognitive-Behavioral Psychological Theory - with a genuine scientific foundation and supporting research data. Simply stated, SLT offers a model for solving human problems and this is what yes your voice matters is all about.
Throughout this Blog, you will observe a consistent emphasis on education, self-care and internal locus of control. Our society is deeply troubled economically and people are seeking change. Yes, change is needed and this proceeds at its best, one person at a time. This Blog has one simple, fundamental objective: I want to help you better help yourself.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Relaxation Therapy
When I first introduced Relaxation Therapy (RT), coining the term 1n 1976, few people considered relaxation skills central to mental and emotional health as they do today. When asked, why I called it Relaxation Therapy, I simply said, "Because I believe it will be a dominant therapy of the future". Later, when Dr. Herbert Bensen published The Relaxation Response, people began to pay more attention to the subject.
My original RT audiocassette remained unchanged for twenty-five years, until one day I received a call from Canadian file composer, Karl Mohr. Karl mentioned how he had been doing RT since he was a teenager and called me to say hello and to connect in some way. Long story short, we decided to integrate our interests in sound production and make some additions to RT resulting in our new and improved Audio CD in 2005.
RT consists of three stages. The first stage consists of deep breathing exercises to facilitate initial relaxation. The second stage consists of progressive muscle relaxation, starting with the toes, progressing throughout multiple and sequential muscle groups. The third stage consists of a simple meditation exercise, focused on relaxing even further to the soothing sounds of the sea. All of this is now supplemented by Karl's innovative background harmonics, bringing about an even deeper, systematic relaxation
Thousands of people have experienced RT with almost everyone relaxing their first time. So, I am fully confident of its effectiveness and know it can help you, when you take the time to do it.
Since learning relaxation skills is basic to tension management and self-care, I will often recommend the same to those participating in my Blog, whether this be RT or any of the other relaxation programs now available.
As always, please feel free to ask questions or submit your comments on the subject of deep relaxation and how it might have helped you with a personal concern.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
My original RT audiocassette remained unchanged for twenty-five years, until one day I received a call from Canadian file composer, Karl Mohr. Karl mentioned how he had been doing RT since he was a teenager and called me to say hello and to connect in some way. Long story short, we decided to integrate our interests in sound production and make some additions to RT resulting in our new and improved Audio CD in 2005.
RT consists of three stages. The first stage consists of deep breathing exercises to facilitate initial relaxation. The second stage consists of progressive muscle relaxation, starting with the toes, progressing throughout multiple and sequential muscle groups. The third stage consists of a simple meditation exercise, focused on relaxing even further to the soothing sounds of the sea. All of this is now supplemented by Karl's innovative background harmonics, bringing about an even deeper, systematic relaxation
Thousands of people have experienced RT with almost everyone relaxing their first time. So, I am fully confident of its effectiveness and know it can help you, when you take the time to do it.
Since learning relaxation skills is basic to tension management and self-care, I will often recommend the same to those participating in my Blog, whether this be RT or any of the other relaxation programs now available.
As always, please feel free to ask questions or submit your comments on the subject of deep relaxation and how it might have helped you with a personal concern.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Monday, March 23, 2009
Your "This is Me!" online report
Once you have completed the PCI, you will immediately receive your online This is Me! report. It is totally private and for your eyes only.
You are now FOCUSED big time. No confusion. No indecision. Your This is Me! report is reflecting back to you exactly what you said to yourself. Your priorties are perfectly clear and you know exactly where to best focus your energies. Your inner voices are clear as a bell.
The next step is to take Focused Action and to remain focused on your primary concern. You are strategically self-navigating through the course of your daily life. You are making needed course corrections and you will achieve the satisfaction you seek.
Repeated completions of the PCI document your progress, facilitating a steady rudder in the face of ever changing challenges in your ever changing life. Hence the name, Personal Change Indicator.
The PCI files all your reports, making previous This is Me! reports available to you, and only you, so you can track your progress. As they say, What gets measured is what gets done!
Keep in mind, Focused Action, coaching is available to help you better navigate and stay the course.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
You are now FOCUSED big time. No confusion. No indecision. Your This is Me! report is reflecting back to you exactly what you said to yourself. Your priorties are perfectly clear and you know exactly where to best focus your energies. Your inner voices are clear as a bell.
The next step is to take Focused Action and to remain focused on your primary concern. You are strategically self-navigating through the course of your daily life. You are making needed course corrections and you will achieve the satisfaction you seek.
Repeated completions of the PCI document your progress, facilitating a steady rudder in the face of ever changing challenges in your ever changing life. Hence the name, Personal Change Indicator.
The PCI files all your reports, making previous This is Me! reports available to you, and only you, so you can track your progress. As they say, What gets measured is what gets done!
Keep in mind, Focused Action, coaching is available to help you better navigate and stay the course.
Dr. Ray
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Focused Action Training is a proprietary educational process !
Focused Action Training is a proprietary 'educational' process, developed and solely owned by American Network Services, Inc. and offered only by certified Focused Action Coaches, certified only by American Network Services, Inc.
Focused Action Training can stand alone, or can serve as a supplement to any form of therapy, counseling or self-help service.
Focused Action Training includes the self-assessment tool, the Personal Change Indicator (PCI) with the resulting "This is Me" online report, the validity of which is solely determined by the forthrightness of the person completing the PCI.
The PCI was developed by Clinical Psychologist, Ray Mulry, Ph.D., who taught psychological assessment within the graduate training programs in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana. The PCI is also proprietary and solely owned by American Network Services, Inc.
yourvoicematters.com is a non-profit Nevada corporation licensed by American Network Services, Inc. to offer Focused Action Training, including use of the PCI and Focused Action Training by certified Focused Action coaches.
American Network Services, Inc.
A Nevada Corporation
774 Mays Blvd. Suit 10-309
Incline Village at Lake Tahoe, NV 89451
775.833.3400
Focused Action Training can stand alone, or can serve as a supplement to any form of therapy, counseling or self-help service.
Focused Action Training includes the self-assessment tool, the Personal Change Indicator (PCI) with the resulting "This is Me" online report, the validity of which is solely determined by the forthrightness of the person completing the PCI.
The PCI was developed by Clinical Psychologist, Ray Mulry, Ph.D., who taught psychological assessment within the graduate training programs in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana. The PCI is also proprietary and solely owned by American Network Services, Inc.
yourvoicematters.com is a non-profit Nevada corporation licensed by American Network Services, Inc. to offer Focused Action Training, including use of the PCI and Focused Action Training by certified Focused Action coaches.
American Network Services, Inc.
A Nevada Corporation
774 Mays Blvd. Suit 10-309
Incline Village at Lake Tahoe, NV 89451
775.833.3400
Sunday, March 22, 2009
This Blog is about YOU!
Let's be clear from the get go. This Blog is about YOU and your desire to better self-manage your health, your psychology, your life.
Let's be clear about another thing. My contribution is to help you achieve your goals. Focus is always on your concerns, what you want to achieve, how to rise above the muck and the mire, a challenge we all share.
Your primary concern may be for a failing relationship or maybe headaches, back pain, depression, fear, anxiety, job safety, personal safety, your children, medical costs, perhaps the meaning of life. It's all about you, your ability to clarify your feelings and thoughts, to focus on what you most want to achieve. Yes, your voice does matter.
Back to my contribution. Believe me, you already have the motivation you need, so often squelched by the rigors of everyday living, discouraging failures, diminished hopes and fading dreams. But, your inner voices do persist, and you want to fully and clearly express them and ultimately actualize them through Focused Action.
This is where the PCI comes into play. The PCI helps you surface what matters most to you, something difficult to accomplish without counseling and therapeutic assistance. The PCI works quickly and gives you the feedback and focus you need, assuming you are sufficiently honest with your self along the way.
It's that simple. No middle man. No Guru. Just you connecting with your inner voices. Listen carefully and they will tell you what you need to know.
You will now have accomplished what can take weeks or even months of costly counseling or therapy. And, with clear focus you can concentrate your energies and quickly move your life forward.
If you want help along the way, contact me, another psychologist, counselor, minister, or even close friend to facilitate your continuing focus and Focused Action.
Dr. Ray,
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Let's be clear about another thing. My contribution is to help you achieve your goals. Focus is always on your concerns, what you want to achieve, how to rise above the muck and the mire, a challenge we all share.
Your primary concern may be for a failing relationship or maybe headaches, back pain, depression, fear, anxiety, job safety, personal safety, your children, medical costs, perhaps the meaning of life. It's all about you, your ability to clarify your feelings and thoughts, to focus on what you most want to achieve. Yes, your voice does matter.
Back to my contribution. Believe me, you already have the motivation you need, so often squelched by the rigors of everyday living, discouraging failures, diminished hopes and fading dreams. But, your inner voices do persist, and you want to fully and clearly express them and ultimately actualize them through Focused Action.
This is where the PCI comes into play. The PCI helps you surface what matters most to you, something difficult to accomplish without counseling and therapeutic assistance. The PCI works quickly and gives you the feedback and focus you need, assuming you are sufficiently honest with your self along the way.
It's that simple. No middle man. No Guru. Just you connecting with your inner voices. Listen carefully and they will tell you what you need to know.
You will now have accomplished what can take weeks or even months of costly counseling or therapy. And, with clear focus you can concentrate your energies and quickly move your life forward.
If you want help along the way, contact me, another psychologist, counselor, minister, or even close friend to facilitate your continuing focus and Focused Action.
Dr. Ray,
Together, making winning moments your way of life
Saturday, March 21, 2009
How the PCI works for you.
My speciality is psychological assessment and taught this subject within the graduate training programs in Clincial Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University at Bloomington. I have always been bothered by how these 'tests' work and how they evaluate you. I've always wanted a FREE self-assessment tool, offering an alternative, where we bypass the middle man. Let's see how this works.
Effective goal setting requires Focus: The Personal Change Indicator (PCI) functions like a highly efficient, well-organized mind. Starting from the perspective of a wide-angle lens, you will examine a panorama of possible concerns. The PCI automatically adjusts your lens, rapidly prioritizing these concerns according to their relative significance to you. Zooming in for a close-up, the PCI surfaces your primary, most significant personal concern, available to you immediately in your online "This is Me!" report.
Resolving Your Most Significant Concern: When you have resolved your primary concern, you will progress toward resolution of your next most significant concern revealed in subsequent completions of the PCI. Because life is a continuing process of challenge and resolution, continued use of the PCI provides a reliable tool for self-navigation in an ever-changing world.
The Promise of Rapid Change: You can willfully direct your life toward achievement of valued goals through focus and mindfully directed attention, the most reliable path toward rapid personal change.
Your first step: Take the PCI and then take Focused Action. Personal change can be fun with the right strategy.
Just go to http://www.tool4change.com/ and enter your access code ANS2000 and let me know when you have questions or want to submit your comments.
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Dr. Ray
Effective goal setting requires Focus: The Personal Change Indicator (PCI) functions like a highly efficient, well-organized mind. Starting from the perspective of a wide-angle lens, you will examine a panorama of possible concerns. The PCI automatically adjusts your lens, rapidly prioritizing these concerns according to their relative significance to you. Zooming in for a close-up, the PCI surfaces your primary, most significant personal concern, available to you immediately in your online "This is Me!" report.
Resolving Your Most Significant Concern: When you have resolved your primary concern, you will progress toward resolution of your next most significant concern revealed in subsequent completions of the PCI. Because life is a continuing process of challenge and resolution, continued use of the PCI provides a reliable tool for self-navigation in an ever-changing world.
The Promise of Rapid Change: You can willfully direct your life toward achievement of valued goals through focus and mindfully directed attention, the most reliable path toward rapid personal change.
Your first step: Take the PCI and then take Focused Action. Personal change can be fun with the right strategy.
Just go to http://www.tool4change.com/ and enter your access code ANS2000 and let me know when you have questions or want to submit your comments.
Together, making winning moments your way of life.
Dr. Ray
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