Why Dr. Phil is one of my favorite Boomers (to love and hate)

While I was writing my last blog entry just moments ago, the Dr. Phil show came on. Oprah was there, along with good wishes from celebrities and clips from past shows. It was all a part of the tribute to Dr. Phil as part of his 1000th episode. For six years he has been giving advice in his "get real" way and people just eat it up.

I confess, most of the time I'm a fan. I've watched him since he first appeared on Oprah's show 10 years ago and I love his "in your face" approach. Admittedly, there are days when I roll my eyes at the topics on his show and I do wish he'd leave Robin and the kids out of his gig. But the fact remains that he often says things that are worth noddling on.

That's why I thought I'd use this blog entry to share my favorite Dr. Phil quotes I've collected over the years.

After all, I fall squarely into the 98% of Bull's-Eye Boomers (tm) who love to share information online. So... in honor of daytime's beloved TV therapist, here are my favorite Dr. Phil quotes, straight from my hard drive, where I added them as I heard them over the past six-plus years:

You can’t give away what you don’t have. 

No matter how flat you make a pancake, there’s always two sides.

How’s that working for you? 

Sometimes you make the right decision; and sometimes you make the decision right.

Awareness without action is worthless.

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

It is better to be healthy alone than sick with someone else.

If you want more, you have to require more of yourself.

The most you get is what you ask for.

You’re only lonely if you’re not there for you.

We teach people how to treat us.

The quickest way between A and B is not always at a feverish pace.

Sometimes you've just gotta give yourself what you wish you were getting from someone else.

Anger is nothing more than an outward expression of hurt, fear and frustration.

People with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

There is no reality – only perception.

Life rewards action.

You have to name it before you can claim it.

There is power in forgiveness.

Life is managed; it is not cured. 

You create your own experience.

 You either get it or you don’t.

 People do what works.

 You wouldn’t worry so much about what people think about you if you just realized how little they do.

 You have to create yourself from the inside out.

 You can’t talk your way out of something you behaved your way into.

 You’re only a loser if you quit while you’re behind.

 Sometimes, a relationship just needs a hero.

 You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge.

Even if you don't like Dr. Phil (and I do see how that's possible) you just about have to admit he comes out with some real jewels sometimes.

Comments

[Pete Ryckman]

I'm a also a big fan of Dr. Phil's cut-to-the-chase approach with a side order of downhome common sense. Thanks for the retrospective.

Pete Ryckman

[Eli]

About 50% of these are straight from psych and counselling textbooks.

[Michelle]

I like these two, too:

Pray to God, but row for the shore.

I wouldn't take a million dollars for it but I wouldn't give you a dime to it again.