Is Private Logic Running Your Show?
Are your inner beliefs helping or holding you back? Learn the difference between private logic and common sense, and how coaching can shift your story toward greater peace, connection, and personal freedom.
OR Understanding the Inner Narratives that Shape Your Life
Have you ever wondered why two people can go through similar experiences and come out with completely different beliefs about themselves and the world?
One person grows up with scarcity and decides, “I will never be poor again — I must achieve at all costs.” Another grows up the same way and says, “Money isn’t worth chasing — it only brings conflict.” Same outer world, but very different inner stories.
Alfred Adler, the brilliant mind behind Individual Psychology, had a name for those internal stories we carry: private logic. And he contrasted it with something more grounded and universal: common sense.
Let’s explore what he meant — and how understanding this difference could change your life, your relationships, and even your happiness.
What is Private Logic?
Adler believed that every person develops a unique set of beliefs, assumptions, and conclusions about life — often based on early childhood experiences. This internal framework is what he called private logic.
Private logic isn't necessarily logical at all. It's just our logic. It’s the way we individually interpret our experiences and make sense of our place in the world.
Think of it like this: private logic is your personal operating system. You’ve been programming it since you were a child — sometimes consciously, but mostly without realizing it.
Here are a few examples of private logic:
“I have to please others to be loved.”
“If I don’t control everything, everything will fall apart.”
“I’m not smart enough to succeed, so why try?”
“Conflict means rejection, so I’ll just keep quiet.”
These beliefs may not be true, but they feel true. That’s the problem.
Enter: Common Sense
In contrast, Adler referred to common sense as ideas that align with reality, cooperation, community, and mutual respect. It’s the kind of thinking that works well in the social world — in families, workplaces, friendships, and broader society.
Where private logic is subjective, emotional, and self-protective, common sense is objective, relational, and socially useful.
Here are some examples of common sense thinking:
“Everyone makes mistakes — it’s how we learn.”
“It’s okay to ask for help.”
“My value isn’t tied to my performance.”
“A disagreement doesn’t mean the relationship is broken.”
See the difference?
Common sense thinking leads to cooperation, connection, and growth. Private logic, if unchecked, can lead to isolation, rigidity, or emotional pain.
Where Does Private Logic Come From?
Private logic usually takes shape during childhood as we try to make sense of our experiences and find ways to belong, survive, and feel significant.
For example, if a child grows up feeling overlooked, they might form a private logic that says, “I must be the best or I’ll be invisible.” That belief might help them succeed academically or professionally — but it might also leave them feeling exhausted, lonely, or like they’re never enough.
Private logic is a creative solution to an emotional challenge — but it can become outdated as we grow.
Adler often pointed out that much of adult distress comes from continuing to use old private logic in new life situations where it no longer fits.
Why the Conflict Between Private Logic and Common Sense Matters
When our private logic clashes with common sense, we experience distress, misunderstandings, or relationship problems.
Let’s say your private logic says, “If I’m vulnerable, people will hurt me.” But your partner or friend wants deeper emotional connection. That clash creates conflict — not because one of you is wrong, but because your private logic is running the show.
Adler saw healing and growth as the process of bringing private logic into alignment with common sense. That means examining the beliefs you’ve lived by and asking: Are they true? Are they helpful? Are they still serving me?
This is one of the reasons coaching or counseling can be so transformational — it offers a safe place to uncover your private logic and gently challenge the parts that are keeping you stuck.
READ THE ABOVE SECTION AGAIN. IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT STUFF! IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
How to Recognize Private Logic in Your Own Life
Here are a few clues that your private logic might be running the show:
You have recurring relationship conflicts that seem familiar, but you’re not sure why they keep happening.
You react strongly to certain triggers, even when you know your response is a bit “extra.”
You feel stuck, even though you’re working hard.
You use harsh self-talk and feel deep shame when you make a mistake.
You often feel like you’re on the outside looking in, or that you don’t quite belong.
If any of that resonates, you’re not alone. We all have private logic. It’s not a flaw — it’s human.
The goal isn’t to erase it. The goal is to update it.
So, How Do You Align Private Logic with Common Sense?
Notice Patterns
Pay attention to where you feel frustrated, rejected, or not enough. These are often signs that private logic is whispering in your ear.Ask Curious Questions
What do I believe in this moment? Where did that belief come from? Is it actually true?Talk It Out
Sometimes just saying your private logic out loud — especially with a coach — makes it easier to spot how unhelpful it is.Try the “Friend Test”
Would I say this to someone I love? If not, why do I say it to myself?Experiment with New Behavior
Try behaving as if a common-sense belief were true. For example, what if you acted as if it’s okay to be imperfect? How might your day feel different?
Real-Life Example: Emily’s Story
Let’s say Emily grew up in a home where love felt conditional — she was praised when she succeeded but ignored when she failed. Her private logic became: “I must achieve to be loved.”
Now, as an adult, she’s a high-achiever who secretly fears that if she stops achieving, she’ll be worthless. This affects her work-life balance, her marriage, and her health.
In coaching, Emily begins to unpack this belief. She sees how it once protected her but now limits her. Over time, she starts replacing “I must earn love” with “I am worthy of love even when I rest.” That shift, from private logic to common sense, transforms her experience of life.
Why This Matters for Relationships, Growth, and Inner Peace
When we live by private logic, we’re often reacting to the past.
When we live by common sense, we’re choosing based on the present.
Adler believed that healthy living means moving from isolated self-focus (private logic) to social interest — a deep concern for contributing, connecting, and caring. It’s how we find meaning.
As coaches, one of the most powerful things we do is help people see the “invisible rules” they’ve been living by — and then rewrite them in ways that are compassionate, courageous, and wise.
Need Help Shifting Your Inner Story? We’re Here.
At Swies Life Coach, we specialize in helping individuals and couples recognize the outdated private logic that’s holding them back — and replace it with compassionate, clear-eyed, common-sense beliefs that promote healing and connection.
We bring decades of experience in transformational coaching, rooted in psychological wisdom and real-life application. Whether you’re facing personal pain, relationship strain, or just feel stuck in your story, we’re here to help.
Let’s talk.
Your private logic doesn’t have to run your life anymore.
Let’s align your inner world with the truth of your value, your potential, and your worth.
The 10 Keys to Creating a Loving Relationship
There are many elements that come into play while we are working out how to be close, resolve conflict, be honest, stay committed and all the rest.
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The 10 keys?
Meeting “the One”
OK. So you’ve met “the One.” The chemistry is right. The first conversation - heartfelt and a little flirty - has gone ok. Work history and income potential are satisfactory. In short, the first hurdle has been successfully negotiated. But now what?!
Road to Romance
As the relationship progresses with this new significant other (SO), bumps and potholes in the road to romance are bound to appear. On the surface, this may not be a big deal. People are unique and will absolutely handle confrontation, disagreements and everything else in different ways - some more successfully than others.
There are many elements that come into play while we are working out how to be close, resolve conflict, be honest, stay committed, and all the rest. Among those “things” are the cultural norms we see through today’s connected mediums, the relationship models we observe in our families and friends, as well as the decisions we make about who we are as an individual and our place in the world.
“There are many elements that come into play while we are working out how to be close...”
We bring all this data to the relationship and it spills out when we hit a bump in our romantic relationship.
Our Perception of Relationship
By examining our individual perceptions of relationship (again perceptions formed as a result of observation and personal decisions), we can decide if these perceptions are useful to us now and even “unlearn” the ones that keep us from closeness and love. Whether we witnessed an abusive marriage between our parents, a divorce, a strong relationship or years of “my prince will come” fairy tales, are perceptions are formed.
The Foundation
The foundational ten key building blocks are the same for any relationship regardless of its current condition or its history. Whether a brand new relationship or one decades old, similar elements apply in any strong, loving, successful relationship:
love
commitment
honesty
being seen
empathetic listening
mutual respect
common goals/interests
intimacy
conflict resolution
communication
Each of these characteristics are important and each member of the relationship should have an understanding of its meaning as it pertains to their relationship. In other words, “what does commitment mean to us - individually and as a couple?” Don’t assume that it means the same to your SO as it means to you.
"A client once told us, “we broke up. I had no idea she wasn’t as committed as I was.”
“I’m sorry this is so painful for you,” Skip offered, “had you discussed commitment? Did you understand her expectations?”
“No. I thought they were like mine.”
“So when the pain has passed and you’ve healed, what will you do differently in your next relationship?”
“Oh, I don’t want to be in another relationship!”
“Why not, you’ve just learned a valuable tool to create a stronger one!”
It did take some time but he tried again and enjoyed his next relationship.
Learning New Communication Tools
We aren’t born knowing how to successfully navigate relationships. It’s like riding a bike. You jump on the bike, you ride. You fall off and get hurt. You get back on the bike and learn to slow down, be more careful, stay out of traffic and away from hills - or you don’t and repeat the unfortunate incident. Our experience of life will change as long as we learn from our failures and APPLY the new tools/awareness to new similar situations.
Awareness is the Key
These new tools can be just a little tricky. They often go against the ways we are used to interacting in a relationship so the tools can feel awkward at first. It’s only because we can spend a lifetime learning mistaken beliefs and unproductive behaviors that keep us stuck in an unwanted relationship cycle.
“A client once told us, ‘I keep dating the same guy over and over.’”
A client once came to us, “I keep dating the same guy over and over.” I couldn’t hide my grin as I glanced toward Skip. “Oh, he looks different each time and has a different name but deep down they are the same guy.”
But after some examination of her life decisions and some new communication tools, she is more at choice about how her relationships progress and who she chooses to date.
Gaining new Understanding and Skill
When we gain new understanding and learn new skills in these 10 key relationship areas, it can bring new life to a relationship that is not currently meeting your needs or help in your search for a new love.
We will examine each key area in detail in future posts. We invite you to signup for our updates and we will notify you when each new blog is published.
LISTENING - one of the 10 keys of a strong, loving relationship
COMMON INTERESTS - one of the 10 keys to a strong, loving relationship
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