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Witamy polskojęzycznych c...
Forum: Polish
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
03-11-2025, 10:21 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 10
Hi
Forum: Welcome!
Last Post: jcanalr
03-07-2025, 10:33 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 24
Hi
Forum: Welcome!
Last Post: Rocio Alcazar
02-24-2025, 01:23 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 63
Working with an emotion /...
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-18-2025, 11:50 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 163
Cartesian Questions
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-18-2025, 11:43 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 159
Feeling Good Handbook
Forum: Recommended Websites, Books and other Resources for Psychology
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-18-2025, 11:29 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 141
In-Depth Interview – Type...
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-18-2025, 08:59 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 172
Hi all!
Forum: Welcome!
Last Post: Kamila Mitraszewska
02-17-2025, 11:47 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 239
Hello everybody!
Forum: Welcome!
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-17-2025, 11:38 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 229
Harmful Messages
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Last Post: Marcel Mitraszewski
02-17-2025, 11:23 PM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 320

 
  Witamy polskojęzycznych coachów!
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 03-11-2025, 10:21 AM - Forum: Polish - No Replies

Cześć wszystkim,

możemy potraktować to miejsce, jako repozytorium informacji dotyczących coachingu w ogóle, ale też tematów związanych z JM. Jednym słowem, jeżeli macie coś ciekawego do podzielenia się, ewentualnie jakieś pytania, na które ktoś może mieć odpowiedź, wrzucajmy je tu. Forum ma wyszukiwarkę i kategorie, dlatego w przyszłości może być łatwiej znaleźć najpotrzebniejsze rzeczy, w porównaniu do grup na fb lub WhatsApp.

Wszystkiego dobrego,
Marcel

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  Hi
Posted by: jcanalr - 03-07-2025, 10:33 AM - Forum: Welcome! - No Replies

Hello everybody.
I'm joining hoping to stay in touch with our colleagues of JMG's project.
Few words to introduce myself:
I live in Madrid (Spain), have an amazing 25-year-old daughter and I feel a lot of gratitude for all ups and downs that life has presented me so far.
I spent 25 years working as an executive in the IT industry and another 11 running my own company devoted to support people who support others.
I have specialized deeply in NLP and Enneagram, which have become solid companions to my coaching and facilitation practice.
I am thrilled to be part of this community and project.
Let's stay in touch. If there is any WhatsApp group for coaches in Spain, I'll be glad to join. My time zone is CET or GMT+1.
Warm regards
Javier

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  Hi
Posted by: Rocio Alcazar - 02-24-2025, 01:23 PM - Forum: Welcome! - No Replies

Nice to meet you guys. Excited to get to know you more as we work together. I live in Madrid now.  I am Mexican and have lived in several countries: Mexico, USA, Venezuela, Argentina, Costa Rica and Spain. I have been an executive and leadership coach for the last 12 years. I also teach in Master programs in several universities.  I worked for Cargill as an expatriate for 17 years in areas such as Strategy and M&A, Procurement, Global deployments and Managing businesses. 
Happy to connect over LinkedIn with anyone interested. www.Linkedin.com/in/rocioalcazar/

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  Working with an emotion / feeling
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 02-18-2025, 11:50 AM - Forum: Tools and Techniques - No Replies

Working with an emotion / feeling

This method can be used when a client talks about a feeling or emotion that is difficult for them.

1. Extracting emotions and building their image

Coach: Imagine that you are taking this feeling out of yourself and putting it on the table in front of you, what does this feeling look like?

Client: e.g.:
swirling black clouds,
a dark box,
a cube with a changing shape,
etc.

Coach: Describe it to me in detail:
What shape is it?
What colour is it?
What texture does it have?

Client: A dark, rough box that is small, but I find it hard to look at.

Coach: If this box could talk, what would it say to you?

Client: [answer]

Coach: What would you say to it?

Client: [answer]


2. Looking for the good side of this feeling

Coach: What can you do with ... (e.g. this box) so that it is not so ... (e.g. scary, overwhelming - we use the client's words)?

Client: [answer]

Coach: How can this ... (e.g. box) ... (e.g. change shape, colour, form etc.) to be something useful to you?

Client: [answer]

Coach: What does ... (e.g. the box) say to you now that it is ... (e.g. a different shape, colour etc.)?

Client: [answer]


3. "Personality integration"

Coach: When this ... (e.g. box) is already ... (e.g. colourful, pleasant, soft to the touch etc.), take it from this table and accept it back into yourself.
How do you feel about this?
What did this give you?
What can you do now to use this for yourself?

Client: [answer]


4. Summary

Coach: Next time this feeling comes up, do this visualization yourself, take the feeling out of yourself, turn it into something more friendly and take it back into yourself.

What do you think about it? Smile

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  Cartesian Questions
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 02-18-2025, 11:43 AM - Forum: Tools and Techniques - No Replies

This is a tool/method we use when faced with a dilemma. It gives us a different perspective, by forcing answering not obvious questions. While it seems basic, it's a very powerful tool.

Cartesian Questions

What WOULD happen if you achieved your goal?
_______________________________

What WOULD happen if you DIDN'T achieve your goal?
_______________________________

What WOULDN'T happen if you achieved your goal?
_______________________________

What WOULDN'T happen if you DIDN'T achieve your goal?
_______________________________

Have you used it before while working with your clients?

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  Feeling Good Handbook
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 02-18-2025, 11:29 AM - Forum: Recommended Websites, Books and other Resources for Psychology - No Replies

If I was asked to recommend only one book about psychology and/or therapy, I would definitely recommend "Feeling Good Handbook".
The book was written by David Burns, who was a student of Aaron Beck – a godfather of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

You can find there a comprehensive resource on how we process information, why different thoughts drive different emotions, and how to practically recalibrate how we think in order to foster our wellbeing.

The main assumption of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is, that NOT situations, but thoughts are a true source of emotions. That's why when we become more seasoned in introspection, we get better in reviewing our thought patterns. This thought patterns may be helpful or quite the opposite – may be full of cognitive biases, which at first glance seem logical, but if we dive deeper into them, it turns out they are absolutely not.

Did you know about this book?

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  In-Depth Interview – Type of questions
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 02-18-2025, 08:59 AM - Forum: Tools and Techniques - No Replies

Types of questions and interview structure
According to Teresa Szustrowa, a prominent Polish specialist in psychological research and one of the authors of the APIS test, which measures general intelligence, we can distinguish questions, among others, by the way and form in which they are asked:

  • Open questions - do not limit the scope of the answer, often contain the words "how" or "what" in their content; used most often, they allow you to explore a given topic without fear of limiting the respondent; example: "What is your day like at work, from morning to evening?"
  • Closed questions - detailed, limiting the answer to the possibilities contained in the question, often contain the word "whether" in their content; used when you want to clarify or confirm the information heard; example: "Do you read blogs on psychology?"
  • Direct questions - refer directly to the client's experience; used when we want to learn about a specific experience, opinion or situation in which the client / patient participated; example: "What do you think about how your child behaved in the company of other children?"
  • Projective questions - are based on the assumption that the client will project their own opinions and feelings onto an undefined, neutral question that does not directly concern them; used when it is difficult to directly ask for the client's, because it is likely that we will not get an honest answer; example: "What traits of other people do you pay attention to?" - it is likely that the client will project (cast) how they perceive themselves;
  • Neutral questions - do not contain an explicit or hidden suggestion; good practice dictates the use of neutral questions only, so as not to impose your own opinion or expectations on the client / patient; example: "What are your feelings about expressing your opinion directly?"
  • Leading questions - the opposite of neutral questions, they contain a suggestion that the specialist expects; it is not recommended to ask leading questions, because they focus the client's attention on a specific answer; example: "Virtually everyone uses public health care and it's good, right?"
  • Alternative questions - a type of leading question, contains two or more possible answers to a given question; example: "Some patients use the services of the National Health Fund, others only private institutions - which ones do you use?"

Open, neutral, projective questions are more diagnostic (give more true information) and less threatening than closed, leading and direct questions. Sometimes, however, it is worth deliberately asking directly about a specific experience or using closed or alternative questions to clarify certain issues.

From the perspective of the context in which the specialist places the questions, we distinguish the following types of questions:

  1. Foreground and background questions
  2. Proper and transitional questions
  3. Embedded, deferred and progressive questions
  • Foreground questions introduce a new topic of conversation; example: "What prompted you to see a dermatologist?"
  • Background questions serve to deepen the topic of conversation; example: "How did you feel during this visit?"

Proper questions are questions that allow you to answer specific issues that interest us as psychologists. However, you should not limit yourself to asking only proper questions, because the client may feel interrogated. In order to ensure a smooth and natural conversation, transitional questions are introduced, which serve to smoothly transition to another topic.
  • Embedded questions are woven into other questions that are less threatening than the actual question. They are used when, for various reasons, we want to mask the actual question, e.g. when it concerns socially unacceptable or embarrassing topics. example: if we want to ask if the client has a tendency to petty theft, we can use a series of embedded questions "How often do you shop in discount stores?", "What do you buy most often?", "Prices have gone up in recent months, how do you look at it?", "Some people, in order to show their dissatisfaction with globalization, deliberately do not buy in international chains, eat bars or sweets while in the store and do not pay for them, or deliberately take out some products without paying - what is your attitude to this?", "Do you think that you should buy from local suppliers or support global brands?"
  • Deferred questions are questions that we should ask at a specific time, but we deliberately do not ask them, believing that the client may not be ready for them. Asking such questions should be postponed until we deem the situation appropriate.
  • Progressive questions are questions that gradually move from less related to the actual topic to questions that relate directly to the topic of interest to us. They have a similar use to embedded questions, when asking a specific question immediately could cause reluctance or avoidance of the client. In the case of progressive questions, we ask the proper question at the end of the series, and in the case of embedded questions - in the middle.

FUNNEL CONSTRUCTION
When conducting an interview, it is recommended to start the conversation with more general questions, less related to the topic of interest to us, and slowly move on to more detailed questions. This way of conducting an interview is called funnel construction. The funnel makes the interview more like a natural conversation, allows you to relieve tension at the beginning of the conversation and prepare the client / patient for more difficult, specific issues in the further part of the conversation.

What you do think of that? Do you have any other suggestions or examples?

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  Hi all!
Posted by: Kamila Mitraszewska - 02-17-2025, 11:47 PM - Forum: Welcome! - No Replies

Hi all! Thanks very much for having an opportunity to be a part of the community!
Couple of words from myself as well:

I have gathered life experience by walking many paths. Each one has taught me something different and unique. Working in business, I learned to see the issues related to the enterprise and the functions it performs. Following an artistic path in my passion for photography, I discovered the beauty of the human body, smile, and expression of emotions in the bonds between people. In clinical work, I encountered illness, which is an inseparable part of existence. However, in each of these situations, the key place was occupied by the human being and their inner world.

As far back as I can remember, I have been searching and discovering. I discovered music, singing, tennis, and skiing. I walked many paths, from which I chose the path to the human being, but also the path to myself. I often wonder how to combine two main interests, which I can call my own.
I have used my passion for learning and discovering dependencies with fascination. During my studies, alongside professors, I conducted classes in psychosomatics, gazing at the immeasurable possibilities of the human body and mind.

On the other hand, I combined work with business, spending hundreds of hours talking about entrepreneurship, financial analysis, introducing a product to the market, or economics. I learned the laws of the market in theory and practice, and learned to operate in the international trade arena. Has this journey ended – no, because analysis and inference are useful and important in today's world in various areas of life.

Working in a psychiatric hospital taught me humility towards my knowledge and skills. I realized that I don't always know the answer and not everything is clear and obvious from the very beginning of therapy.

Together with my husband – my mainstay and best friend, we created the Design School. In it, we combine the world of psychology with virtual products. We work with companies that want to create their product in accordance with the best psychological practice so that it is useful and functional for users – customers.

Today I work with people who are looking, are curious, have questions, and want something more. Sometimes these are patients in therapy, and sometimes clients in coaching or mentoring in creating their products. Moving with openness and attentiveness to the other person gives a great opportunity to accompany them in change.

Please share something about yourself, can't wait to get to know you better!

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  Hello everybody!
Posted by: Marcel Mitraszewski - 02-17-2025, 11:38 PM - Forum: Welcome! - No Replies

Hi everyone! It's such a great honor to meet you all, fantastic people and great specialists! I'm really happy to be a part of our community.

Just couple words from myself:

As a young man, still searching for the meaning of life, I created websites, played some instruments, and worked with 3D computer graphics. Even earlier, I planned to be a lawyer or an artistic director for an international company.

As a young adult, I found myself in the electronic entertainment industry, where I created video games. Later, I worked in IT for years. I designed applications and IT systems, experiencing firsthand the highs and lows of working in corporations. Thanks to this and countless conversations with my colleagues, I felt firsthand the scale of everyday problems each of us faces: overload of tasks, burnout, and all the "joys" of this kind of profession.

While working in business, I had the opportunity to taste different cultures, was walking alone down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, trying Mexican street food in the heart of Mexico City, or standing in the rain in front of a fish market in Seattle – that was like a dream come true for me, when I realized that I had thought of that long time ago, when I was still a kid.

Now I know that these were searches, a journey I had to take to finally feel at peace with myself.
Already in college, when I listened eagerly to professors calmly explaining the mechanisms of the human psyche, I knew that psychology would stay with me for longer. At university, I also met my wife, my best friend, and the person with whom I share a passion and a view of life – sometimes diametrically different, sometimes in agreement, often, though not always, complementing each other.

In life, like many of us, I experienced the taste of failure, disappointment, loss, bitterness, doubt, lack of strength, fatigue, but also hope, emotion, joy, and happiness – all that ultimately drives me to act.

Thanks once again, can't wait to hear more about you guys!

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  Harmful Messages
Posted by: Kamila Mitraszewska - 02-17-2025, 11:14 PM - Forum: Tools and Techniques - Replies (1)

HARMFUL MESSAGES

Before you is a list of messages that negatively impact relationships with another person. The list is presented with examples from everyday life; I hope this will be helpful in paying attention to specific messages.

Instructions – how to best use this list to make it useful:

  • Element 1 – Familiarize yourself with the list.
  • Element 2 – Notice these sentences in yourself or others (hear yourself and/or the other person).
  • Element 3 – Feel it; the spoken sentences constitute a certain barometer, showing us whether it is OK when we say it, or whether we feel okay when someone says it.
  • Element 4 – Change. If you feel that it is not OK when you use these sentences/words, or someone uses them, communicate this to the other person; if you see it in yourself, stop for a moment and change your message to a non-threatening one.

When reading the following messages aloud, they may seem neutral, but during the conversation, each message has its emotional intensity. This intensity consists of the following aspects:
  • timbre and melody of the voice – that is, how you say a given sentence, whether you drag out sounds, or whether you emphasize some word with intonation. During the use of passive aggression, it happens that the spoken sentence at first glance seems neutral, but its connotation is negative (positive or negative sentiment).
  • volume – this means whether you say the sentence in your natural way, or whether you raise your tone, i.e., the voice becomes higher, more shrill and at the same time loud.
  • facial expression – what is happening on your face, how your eyebrows furrow, how your lips tighten, how widely you open your mouth to articulate some words. The face is plastic, and emotions can be seen on it, both positive and negative.

ATTACKING MESSAGES
Imagine words as arrows that aim straight at the recipient's heart. Attacking messages are precisely such verbal projectiles that wound, humiliate, and make the other person feel threatened. It is not only insults, but also sarcasm, threats, and even tone of voice or facial expressions that express contempt and hostility. Such messages do not build anything, but only destroy trust and respect in the relationship.
  • I just want to help you.
  • You're still...(sitting here, watching something, you haven't done this, etc.).
  • Are you having another drink again?
  • Do you really want to behave like that?
  • Are you really tired?
  • Of course, you were late for work today.
  • You're not on time again.
  • You lost your job again.
  • Just lose weight.
  • Finally, get down to something useful.
  • You're probably right.
  • Try at least a little to achieve something.
  • Now you're behaving properly.
  • Now you've done it well.
  • As usual, you forgot my birthday.
  • As if you couldn't figure it out in the end.
  • You're a complete idiot! How could you do something so stupid?
  • You never do anything right. You're hopeless.
  • Shut up, because I can't listen to you. Your chatter irritates me.
  • You look terrible in that outfit. Don't you have any shame?
  • You're pathetic. I feel sorry for you.
  • I can't believe you're so stupid.
  • Your ideas are nonsense. You have no competence.
  • You're a loser. You can't do anything right.
  • Get out of here! I don't want to see you.
  • You're the worst employee I've ever had.
  • Your work is worthless. You should be ashamed.
  • You don't deserve respect. You behave like a child.
  • You're an egoist. You only think about yourself.
  • I hate you! You ruined my life.
  • You're disgusting. I can't look at you.
  • Your behavior is unacceptable. You're a disgrace to the family.
  • I don't want to have anything to do with you. You're toxic.
  • You're a zero. You don't deserve anything good.
  • I hope you will suffer the consequences of your actions.
  • I regret that I met you. You're a mistake.


Accusations and blaming:
Generalizations using "always" and "never":
  • You always have to have the last word.
  • You never take my feelings into account.
  • You always screw everything up.
  • You can never rely on you.

Labeling and judging:
  • You're an egoist.
  • You're a loser.
  • You're cold and insensitive.
  • You behave like a tyrant.
  • You're pathetic.


Blaming and shifting responsibility:
  • It's because of you that I'm unhappy.
  • If you didn't behave like this, it wouldn't have happened.
  • It's your fault that we have problems.
  • You manipulated me to do it.


Sarcasm, irony and mockery:
  • Wow, you're so smart. (with an ironic tone)
  • Oh sure, it's definitely my fault. (with sarcasm)
  • You're doing great. (with mockery)
  • Really impressive. (with irony)
  • Ignoring and humiliating:
  • Criticism of appearance, character, skills:
  • You're dressed like a clown.
  • You have terrible taste.
  • You're terribly clumsy.
  • You have no abilities.
  • Your ideas are stupid.

Comparing to others:
  • Why can't you be more like [name]?
  • He/she is much better than you at [something].
  • All my friends have better jobs/partners/lives.

Ignoring and avoiding:
  • (Pretending not to hear)
  • (Changing the subject)
  • (Walking away during the conversation)
  • (Not responding to messages)

Trivializing feelings and needs:
  • Stop whining.
  • Don't be so sensitive.
  • I don't understand what you're talking about.
  • It's not that important.
  • Controlling and manipulating:
  • Threats and intimidation:
  • If you leave me, I'll do something to myself.
  • You'll regret it.
  • You better watch what you're saying.
  • Don't force me to use force.

Emotional blackmail and playing on feelings:
  • If you really love me, then...
  • I'm so good to you, and you repay me like this?
  • You disappoint me.
  • You make me sad.

Inducing guilt and obligation:
  • I always have to do everything.
  • I sacrificed everything for you.
  • You owe it to me.
  • You can't refuse me this.
  • Restricting autonomy and freedom:
  • You can't leave the house without my permission.
  • You're not allowed to meet with them.
  • You have to do what I tell you.
  • You don't have the right to your own opinion.
  • Aggressive and hostile:
  • Shouting, swearing, insults:
  • Shut up and listen to me!
  • You're a cretin/idiot!
  • Get out of here!
  • I can't look at you!

Physical and psychological violence:
  • (Pushing, grabbing, hitting)
  • (Destroying things)
  • (Isolating from loved ones)
  • (Intimidation)

Personal attacks and humiliation:
  • You're worthless.
  • You'll never achieve anything.
  • You're disgusting.
  • I wish you weren't born.
  • Subtle forms of attacks:
  • Passive-aggressive behavior:
  • Sulking
  • Silence
  • Doing things to spite someone
  • Sarcastic remarks

Manipulation:
  • Playing the victim
  • Making oneself a victim while making the interlocutor guilty
  • Using the other person's weaknesses
  • Inducing guilt
  • Gaslighting (making someone doubt their own perception)

“EVALUATING” MESSAGES
Imagine someone putting on the robes of a judge and passing verdicts on your person. Evaluating messages are precisely such verbal labels that we attach to others, often in a negative and generalizing way. Instead of describing specific behavior, we attribute permanent character traits to the other person, thus creating rigid frameworks that hinder their development and change.
  • You didn't try.
  • You're not suitable for this.
  • You won't be able to handle it.
  • Amazing! You didn't make any mistakes (NOTE) passive-aggressive behavior.
  • You have no sense of humor.
  • You can't do anything on time.
  • It's clear to everyone, but not to you.
  • No one could have done it worse than you.
  • You're an egoist.
  • You lack ambition.
  • You're too young for this.
  • You surprised me. You did it very well.
  • This proves your laziness.
  • You are intolerant.
  • Only an idiot could do something like that.
  • You're lazy. You never want to do anything.
  • You're always late. You don’t respect my time.
  • You're too emotional. You can't control yourself.
  • You have terrible taste. You have no sense of aesthetics.
  • You're not ambitious enough. You lack motivation.
  • You're a slob. You never clean up after yourself.
  • You're irresponsible. You can't be relied upon.
  • You're too talkative. You can't listen.
  • You're a pessimist. You always see everything in black.
  • You're naive. You're easily fooled.
  • You're arrogant. You think you're better than others.
  • You're jealous. You don't enjoy the success of others.
  • You're stubborn. You can't admit to a mistake.
  • You're intolerant. You don't accept differences.
  • You're closed off. It's hard to make contact with you.
  • You're shy. You should be more confident.
  • You're aggressive. You scare people with your behavior.
  • You're a manipulator. You try to take advantage of others.
  • You're a hypocrite. You say one thing and do another.
  • You're boring. You have nothing interesting to say.

"YOU" MESSAGES
Imagine a finger pointing straight at your face. "YOU" messages are precisely such accusatory messages that shift all the blame onto the other person. Instead of focusing on the problem and looking for a solution, we attack the recipient, making them feel guilty and defensive. Such messages block dialogue and hinder cooperation.
  • You only cause me problems.
  • You're prejudiced.
  • You disrespect me.
  • You never listen to what's being said to you.
  • You treat others badly.
  • You're aggressive.
  • You're bothering me.
  • You're delaying the team's work.
  • You're not fulfilling your duties.
  • You're unfair.
  • You don't respect others.
  • You don't take into account the opinions of others.
  • You discourage me from working (shifting responsibility).
  • You're exaggerating.
  • You always have to ruin everything. You can't be trusted with anything.
  • It's your fault that we were late. You can't be punctual.
  • You never listen to me. I'm talking to a wall.
  • You did it again! How many times do I have to tell you?
  • I have problems because of you. It's all your fault.
  • You always have to get your way. You don't care about others.
  • You started it. Now you bear the consequences.
  • You don't care about me. You only care about yourself.
  • You let me down. I can't trust you.
  • You hurt me. Your words hurt.
  • You lied to me. You're not trustworthy.
  • You betrayed me. I won't forgive you.
  • You ignored me. I feel rejected by you.
  • You humiliated me. I have no respect for you.
  • You used me. You're an egoist.
  • You cheated me. You're not honest.
  • You manipulated me. You're not sincere.
  • You left me. I'm alone.
  • You abandoned me. You don't care what happens to me.
  • You rejected me. I'm not important to you.
  • You hurt me. I don't want to suffer.

COMPARING MESSAGES
Imagine standing on a scale, and someone constantly compares your "weight" to others. Comparing messages are precisely such words that make us feel inferior to others. Instead of appreciating our individuality and uniqueness, someone puts us in competition with others, which creates frustration and lowers our self-esteem.
  • You used to be easier to get along with.
  • Why do others understand this, and you don't?
  • You're just like X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • You're making a fool of yourself like X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • Compared to X, you're better.
  • If I could choose, I'd rather work with X.
  • You're far from the level of X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • You'll never match X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • Compared to X, you look good.
  • I've never worked with anyone as badly as with you.
  • If you don't do as X does, we have nothing to talk about.
  • I would definitely prefer X to be in your place (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • Tomek was an expert, not like you.
  • I see that you're trying, but X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared) does it better.
  • Well! You managed to match X (name of the person to whom someone is being compared).
  • Why can't you be like your brother? He always gets good grades.
  • Ania is always so organized, and you're always losing your things.
  • Everyone else passed the exam, only you didn't. What's wrong with you?
  • He earns twice as much as you. You should take an example from him.
  • Your sister is much prettier. You should learn from her.
  • His children are so well-behaved, and yours are always causing trouble.
  • Her husband is so helpful, and yours does nothing around the house.
  • Her job is much more prestigious than yours.
  • He has so many talents, and you can't do anything.
  • She's so popular, and you have no friends.
  • His family is so rich, and yours can barely make ends meet.
  • Her house is so beautiful, and yours is a ruin.
  • He has such good luck in life, and you're always unlucky.
  • She's so smart, and you don't understand anything.
  • His company is successful, and yours is failing.
  • He's so strong, and you're so weak.
  • She's so brave, and you're such a coward.
  • His life is so exciting, and yours is so boring.
  • He's so happy, and you're so unhappy.
  • She's so fulfilled, and you're so frustrated.

DEMANDING MESSAGES
Imagine someone giving you orders like a soldier. Demanding messages are precisely such words that impose our will on others, often in an aggressive and demanding way. Instead of asking for something or negotiating, we give orders, which causes resistance and rebellion in the recipient.
  • You have to do it immediately.
  • Don't you dare bring up this topic again.
  • I don't want your help.
  • Please do this without discussion.
  • Please leave.
  • Stop irritating me with your views.
  • This should be forgotten.
  • You can't ask me for this, you have no right.
  • Don't interfere in my affairs.
  • He demanded that you leave this project, you didn't try anyway.
  • You have to agree to my proposal.
  • You have no other choice.
  • If you don't listen, you'll regret it.
  • I will take consequences against you if you don't do what I say.
  • Please adapt to this.
  • You have no right to expect this.
  • You have to help me! I have no other choice.
  • Do it immediately! I don't have time to wait.
  • Stop behaving like that! It annoys me.
  • Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to you.
  • I don't want to see you! Go away.
  • Do what I tell you! Don't argue.
  • You have to listen to me! I'm older.
  • Don't talk to me! You don't deserve it.
  • Don't you dare interrupt me! I'm in the middle of an important conversation.
  • Don't lie to me! Tell the truth.
  • Don't cheat me! Be honest.
  • Don't betray me! Be loyal.
  • Don't ignore me! Pay attention to me.
  • Don't humiliate me! Respect me.
  • Don't use me! Be fair.
  • Don't manipulate me! Be sincere.
  • Don't leave me! I need you.
  • Don't abandon me! I can't cope alone.
  • Don't reject me! I'm a part of your life.
  • Don't hurt me! I don't want to suffer.

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT" MESSAGES
Imagine someone constantly shifting responsibility like a hot potato. "It's not my fault" messages are precisely such words that protect us from the consequences of our actions. Instead of admitting a mistake and taking responsibility, we look for excuses and blame others or circumstances. Such messages block the possibility of learning from mistakes and hinder our development.
  • Sometimes you have to do things against your will.
  • I had no choice.
  • They pressured me and forced me.
  • I don't know why I did it.
  • Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and mine was small.
  • Most people do this, so I'm not alone.
  • Well, the world is brutal, you know how it is, everyone does what they can.
  • I was provoked to do this...
  • I trusted the wrong people and that's why.
  • That's the company's policy, it's not my fault.
  • I can't do anything about these regulations.
  • I was just following orders from above.
  • I had to do this because of you.
  • The circumstances required it.
  • It's not my fault that I was late, there was a traffic jam.
  • I didn't make it because the boss gave me another task.
  • I forgot because I was tired.
  • I didn't break it. Someone else must have done it.
  • I didn't know that's how it should be done. Nobody told me.
  • I couldn't come because I was sick.
  • I didn't have time because I had a lot of work.
  • I didn't have any money because I had to pay the bills.
  • I couldn't concentrate because it was noisy.
  • I couldn't sleep because I had nightmares.
  • I couldn't eat because I had no appetite.
  • I couldn't drink because I was thirsty.
  • I couldn't breathe because it was stuffy.
  • I couldn't think because I was stressed.
  • I couldn't speak because I was upset.
  • I couldn't move because I was tired.
  • I couldn't do anything because I was helpless.
  • It's not my fault that this happened. It was an accident.
  • It's not my fault that it turned out this way. It's fate.
  • It's not my fault that it is this way. It's life.

MINIMIZING MESSAGES
Imagine someone putting out your emotions like a small fire. Minimizing messages are precisely such words that diminish the importance of your feelings, experiences, or problems. Instead of showing understanding and support, someone gives you the impression that you are exaggerating or that your matters are not important. Messages in which you will hear and feel the minimization of the importance of your matters are usually short and sharp as a razor. Even if they may sound positive narratively, they are no longer positive when placed in context.
  • Don't exaggerate, it's nothing.
  • There's nothing to worry about.
  • Others have it worse.
  • Don't be a child.
  • Pull yourself together.
  • Don't be dramatic.
  • Calm down.
  • Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • Don't worry about trifles.
  • It's only temporary.
  • Nothing happened, after all.
  • It's not worth worrying about.
  • Forget about it.
  • It's okay now.
  • Don't think about it.
  • It will pass.
  • It will be fine.
  • You can do it.
  • You're strong.
  • Don't give up.
  • There's no reason to cry.
  • Stop complaining.
  • Don't be so sensitive.
  • It's just your imagination.
  • Don't overreact.

GENERALIZING MESSAGES
Imagine someone painting your portrait with one thick line. Generalizing messages are precisely such words that generalize and pigeonhole. Instead of seeing nuances and variability, someone creates rigid patterns and assigns us labels that do not reflect the truth about us.
  • You're always late.
  • You never listen to me.
  • Everyone thinks so.
  • Nobody likes you.
  • You always have some problems.
  • You're always the same.
  • You'll never change.
  • Everyone is cheating you.
  • No one will help you.
  • You're always unlucky.
  • You never succeed.
  • Everyone is against you.
  • Nobody understands you.
  • You're always a victim.
  • You're never happy.
  • Everyone is better than you.
  • No one is worse than you.
  • You're always right.
  • You're never right.
  • Everyone loves you.
  • Nobody loves you.
  • You're always the center of attention.
  • You're never noticed.
  • You're always lucky.
  • You're never lucky.

INTERRUPTING MESSAGES
Imagine someone constantly interrupting you while you're speaking, like when you're trying to talk in a noisy room. Interrupting messages are precisely such words or behaviors that disrupt the flow of your speech and prevent you from freely expressing your thoughts and feelings. It's a signal that someone is not interested in what you have to say, or that they consider their own affairs more important.
  • Interrupting in the middle of a sentence.
  • Changing the subject.
  • Ignoring statements.
  • Not maintaining eye contact.
  • Answering the phone during a conversation.
  • Leaving the room during a conversation.
  • Yawning while listening.
  • Looking at your watch.
  • Fidgeting in your chair.
  • Tapping your fingers on the table.
  • Sighing.
  • Making faces.
  • Rolling your eyes.
  • Nodding your head impatiently.
  • Furrowing your eyebrows.
  • Smiling ironically.
  • Laughing at statements.
  • Commenting on statements while they are being made.
  • Asking questions that are not related to the topic.
  • Giving advice that no one asked for.

MANIPULATIVE MESSAGES
Imagine someone trying to catch you in a web, like a cunning spider. Manipulative messages are precisely such words that are intended to influence your behavior or decisions in a hidden and dishonest way. Instead of openly expressing their needs and expectations, someone uses persuasion techniques to achieve their goal, often at the expense of your well-being.
  • If you love me, you'll do it.
  • Everyone else agrees.
  • Only you can help me.
  • You'll regret it.
  • I don't want to lose you.
  • You owe it to me.
  • Don't let me down.
  • Trust me.
  • It's for your own good.
  • You have no choice.
  • This is the only way out.
  • You can't refuse.
  • This is your chance.
  • Don't miss the opportunity.
  • It's a secret.
  • Don't tell anyone.
  • Promise me.
  • Swear to me.
  • I beg you.
  • Please.

Please let me know what you think and add other messages that come to mind!

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