life goals – BUCK BLACK THERAPY

Therapy Can Change Your Life

We all have something in our life that we want to change. If someone says there is nothing to change, this should be a problem in and of itself. How do people create change in their lives? Altering thoughts, modifying behaviors, setting goals, and creating/maintaining relationships are all great catalysts. Therapy is a way to help facilitate these behaviors. My goal as a therapist is to help hold you accountable on the changes you wish to make. I do this by asking about your goals and how you are coming along. I also help with creating ideas that will add…

Thank you Warren Buffett

I recently wrote this thank you letter to Warren Buffett. His great role modeling is what compelled me to write my first letter to a celebrity. He has some great talks on youtube. Buck Black LCSW, LCAC 100 Saw Mill Road, Suite 3102 Lafayette, Indiana 47905 www.BuckBlack.com 765-807-6778 Mr. Warren Buffett 3555 Farnam Street Suite 1440 Omaha, NE 68131 Dear Mr. Buffett, Thank you for being a teacher and an amazing role model for our society. I am a licensed therapist and Certified Financial Social Worker who helps couples with money problems, as well as anger, stress, and various relationship…

A Certified Financial Social Work Counselor’s (CFSW) Thoughts on Money

1. How do you define the term, “Living within your means?” First, you need to make sure you are spending less per month than you earn. Secondly, you need to insure that you are saving money for retirement and have at least a 6-month emergency fund. 2. What is the difference of “living within your means” and “living below your means”? I think of living below your means as saving a substantial amount of money... beyond the 6 month emergency fund, retirement, and any other basic savings necessities. 3. Can you provide at least five tips a person can use…

Work and Leisure?

Weisure is the term. It refers to the mix of work and leisure. Since virtually everyone is connected, it is so difficult to leave work at work. Is it a bad thing? Many say that work has become fun and is a huge joy in life. Why not mix work and leisure? It could be more productive and satisfying. I enjoy technology and am guilty of weisure on a regular basis. However, balance is the key. If one obsesses over his or her work, this lack of relaxation is destructive. It is important to be able to find a way…

The Wealthy Could Even Benefit from Financial Counseling

My wife and I recently went to the Biltmore Estate. In case you are not familiar, it is the largest privately owned house in the United States at over 175,000 square feet. I found it amazing that the Vanderbilts, who are an incredibly wealthy family who built the estate, were unable to afford to maintain their estate during the Depression. In order to raise funds, they opened their house for tours. In 1956, the family relocated and turned the house into a museum that charged for admission, presumably because the maintenance cost was too high. As I learned more about…

I Can’t…

One of the things that really gets me is when a person spends several minutes telling me why he or she cannot do something. Think about it...how many people do you know who spend so much of their time and energy telling you why they can't do something? I bet you can think of a few. Here is a thought...instead of telling people why you cannot do something, tell people what you are wanting to do. When you spend all of that time and energy explaining why you cannot do something or why something won't work, you are left with…

Am I Normal?

Given that people come to see me because there is something not quite right in their life (or so they think), I see a lot of people asking if they are “normal.” This is such an interesting question. Actually, I do not claim to know the definition of “normal” and I don’t think anyone does. Most of us want to fit in. However, we all do things that are considered to be “abnormal.” So, I suppose that none of us are considered “normal,” for that matter. I certainly don’t consider myself “normal!” Since everyone has his or her quirks, this…

What Gets You Motivated?

What do you have to look forward to? Where does your motivation come from? Many people get caught in the struggle to work, raise a family, and/or just simply survive. I urge you to make a list of three goals that you want to accomplish by the end of this month and three more goals to accomplish within six months. Put these goals next to your bed so you see them when you wake up each morning. Next, detail how you will accomplish these goals and keep your family/friends updated on your progress. By writing your goals down, reviewing them…