Positive psychology is sometimes dismissed as “merely happiness science,” focusing on the pursuit of joy. Those who say that are overlooking the amazing impact positive psychology brings to every aspect of our lives. It not only contributes to our personal well-being by promoting self-awareness, purpose, and living life with meaning but also to our abilities as leaders, communicators, and collaborators.
More than “just” happiness
In the late 1990s, psychology researcher Martin Seligman shifted the focus from psychological research and practice based on mental illness to mental well-being. He coined the term Positive psychology, which looks at a wide range of human actions that contribute to flourishing.
Barbara Fredrickson’s work on the broaden-and-build theory is a cornerstone in this field. According to Fredrickson, positive emotions broaden our awareness and encourage fresh ways of acting and being curious about other ways of achieving our goals. With practice, this leads to building skills, resources, and resilience.
Core Elements of Positive Psychology
1. Self-awareness: Recognizing our own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses is the first step towards personal growth. It enables us to navigate our emotional landscape and better manage our reactions to experiences.
2. Positive Emotions: Feeling good does more than just put a smile on our faces; it also increases our resilience and opens us up to new possibilities and experiences.
3. Purpose and Meaning: Engaging in activities that align with our values and goals provides a sense of fulfillment and guides us to use our energies constructively.
4. Mindfulness: By being present and fully engaging with the current moment, we can lessen the impact of stress and enhance our capacity for gratitude, appreciation and joy.
5. Positive Relationships: Building strong, supportive relationships is crucial for emotional well-being, helps us feel connected and valued and for those we engage with to gain these benefits too.
Positive psychology tools
The elements of positive psychology in our daily lives can significantly enhance our communication skills and collaborative efforts with tools I use in corporate and private coaching every day:
- Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence
Mindfulness is simply understanding and managing our emotions and those of others, promoting clearer and more effective communication. Emotional intelligence allows us to express ourselves authentically and respond to the emotions of others with sensitivity and understanding. - Growth Mindset
A growth mindset, the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, is core to positive psychology. It encourages resilience and a willingness to learn from mistakes, crucial traits in getting along with others and collaborating. Teams that embrace a growth mindset are likely to be more innovative, as they are not afraid to take risks and explore new ideas. - Positive Emotions
Feeling positive emotions can significantly improve work with your team, too. They lead to more cooperative behaviors, increase shared enthusiasm, and promote a more supportive team atmosphere. This boosts productivity, and team members will likely be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
- The Broaden-and-Build Theory
Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory explains how positive emotions lead to new ways of thinking and getting things done. In a team setting, this theory suggests that a positive outlook can help widen one’s perspective and so be more likely to explore options that might be overlooked otherwise. This broader range of ideas and behaviors can lead to more effective problem-solving and innovative outcomes.
So, you wanna be more satisfied with life?
Positive psychology is about nourishing an environment within ourselves and in our interactions with others that encourages growth, resilience, and well-being. By learning its principles, we can enhance communication skills and collaboration and just plain be happier—not through the pursuit of happiness itself but with a deeper understanding and practice of what makes life most worth living.
Making positive psychology part of our day-to-day lives doesn’t just make us better humans—it makes us better partners, colleagues, leaders, and community members. How cool is that? If you want to hear more about how this can help you, let’s talk!