Articles

Know What You're Moving Toward

By Shawn Eaton

Posted: March 14, 2024

I believe it important to recognize what a goal generally is: relief from some form of pain. It may be psychological or spiritual, and then manifest itself as emotional and sometimes physical discomfort; as is commonly seen with trauma, or the anxiety associated with strained interpersonal relationships. The desired relief may also be directly related to a medical ailment or physical damage, like that of a torn meniscus, or the development of diabetes. Whatever the cause, whatever the solution, the goal is relief (preferably prolonged) from consequential suffering.

Every Failure is an Opportunity

By Shawn Eaton

Posted: March 14, 2024

We all tend to want things: to get a better job, be more social, improve our relationships, find meaningful hobbies, learn how to date, earn a degree, or just find the peace of mind that allows us to enjoy the present. If motivated enough, we pursue those things. Along the way, we struggle. We stumble. We reassess our plan and move forward, or perhaps decide that the goal isn’t worth the cost and give up. What we may think of as wasted energy though, is full of opportunity, direction, and clarity.

Lower the Bar and Move Forward

By Shawn Eaton

Posted: March 14, 2024

I’m an advocate for identifying an individual’s current skill sets, relative to the goals they would like to achieve. I also believe in lowering the bar enough that there’s absolutely zero threat of failure, then raising it just a little. Changing one’s expectations for growth and improvement, relative to their current competencies and capacities, allows for long term, meaningful positive change. It’s a scalable solution. It works in low-risk situations, as well as high. It also works across multiple dimensions of life, be it the deepening of interpersonal relationships, the development of professional or academic competencies, physical improvement, or personal growth.

Why the Problem Matters

By Shawn Eaton

Posted: March 13, 2024

I believe in taking a strengths and solution focused approach to problem solving. What I think is unclear to many, is that solution focused therapies are generally meant to be brief parts of the therapeutic process. It’s good to know where your strengths are and to have a clear solution that you can consistently make progress toward. Conversely, it’s also good to know what it is you’re trying to resolve. A lack of clarity surrounding the problem itself, may lead to energies focused on tasks that don’t support its resolution.