The Positive Psychology People

After leaving a 25-year career in social housing, the author reflects on identity, growth, and change. Identity is a complex mix of physical, psychological, and societal factors. Leaving a job intertwined with one's self-conception prompts a re-evaluation of personal values and roles. The transition to a new career, like becoming a coaching psychologist, challenges self-perception and require...

The World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) spotlighted the loneliness epidemic, with Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighting its severe impact on health and societal well-being. In the U.S., half of adults experience significant loneliness, contributing to increased risks of mental and physical health issues.  Murthy urges a societal shift towards authentic connections and challenges the transactional view of rela...

Pain, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, is a ubiquitous part of life. Enduring pain can be aided by depersonalisation, a technique that allows one to view themselves from an external perspective. Positive Psychology offers strategies like mindfulness, gratitude, and resilience building to manage pain effectively. Embracing setbacks and adopting a growth mindset are crucial for personal growt...

Positive Psychology has revolutionized healthcare by shifting focus from merely treating illness to enhancing overall well-being. This approach, grounded in the idea that health encompasses positive emotions, resilience, and purpose, aims to improve patient outcomes by integrating factors contributing to a fulfilling life. Emphasizing patient-centred care, preventive healthcare, and resilience, in...

The ethics of working with mentally unwell clients in positive psychology and coaching is complex. Practitioners must navigate boundaries, communicate clearly with clients, and understand when to refer to other professionals. Positive psychology can support mental health alongside illness recovery, building resilience and promoting well-being.

The author narrates their journey of embracing individuality in a conformist world. Growing up as a nonconformist, they faced isolation but reveled in their uniqueness, particularly during a school talent show. In adulthood, they maintained authenticity in a corporate setting, attracting like-minded people. A nontraditional love affair and career challenges further reinforced their philosophy. The...

This article recounts a conversation with an old friend who had experienced profound loss and had learned to cope positively. The friend's strategy included finding humor and laughter in adversity, as well as maintaining a gratitude journal to focus on positive aspects of life. The author highlights the importance of acknowledging adversity while cultivating a mindset of gratitude. They provi...

This article discusses the overemphasis on the left-brain hemisphere in modern society, focusing on logical and rational thinking. It mentions how this emphasis has led to neglecting the intuitive, creative, and emotional capacities of the right-brain hemisphere. The author reflects on personal experiences and cultural differences in emphasizing left or right-brain attributes, particularly in the...

This article highlights the importance of psychological safety in relationships, especially in workplace interactions. It discusses how past experiences and personal circumstances can affect one’s sense of safety. The message encourages building awareness of when you feel safe or threatened and suggests mapping out how safety influences thoughts, feelings, actions, memories, bodily sensations, and...

This card invites reflection on personal growth and self-awareness. It emphasizes the tendency to focus on external goals and desires while overlooking the evolving person within. The central question is "Who are you becoming?" It encourages acknowledging personal changes and qualities, like a tree reaching for the Northern Lights, and recognizing the motivating sources in life. The mess...

This card invites exploring the nature of relationships and deepening one's capacity to relate. The accompanying image of a serene evening by Lake Inari in Finland highlights the symmetry of nature and reflection. It emphasizes that understanding and accepting oneself is crucial for relating to others. It advises against automatic judgment, encourages empathy, and underscores that self-awaren...

In a fast-paced world that equates more with success, many are recognizing the importance of slowing down and embracing simplicity. Research shows that speed can harm focus, while slowness nurtures it. To simplify life and cultivate a more deliberate existence, try these steps: disconnect from screens, identify what's essential, practice mindfulness, and embrace slow living. These actions can...

In a world of technological advancements and cultural diversity, the desire for global spiritual enlightenment is a natural aspiration. It transcends personal journeys and holds the potential to foster unity, compassion, and growth. However, media, uniqueness emphasis, and constant disruption hinder unity. Global spiritual enlightenment celebrates diversity, focusing on shared values like love and...

Starting a self-development journey involves understanding one's strengths, providing a foundation for greater self-awareness. Strengths help initiate conversations and reveal the lens through which we view our lives, fostering self-knowledge. They offer a language for discussing motivations and choices, helping us recognize threads guiding our decisions. For example, the author's streng...

Life revolves around pursuing goals, providing purpose, motivation, and direction. While goals are influenced by circumstances, they can also shape them. Positive psychology underscores focusing on strengths for goal achievement, and health and well-being should guide our ambitions. Challenges are inevitable, but perseverance offers growth and valuable experiences.

Starting a self-development journey with an understanding of one's strengths is foundational. Strengths provide insight into our behaviors, values, and drivers. They serve as the entry point to discuss the stories we believe about ourselves. Recognizing strengths, such as humour, can offer moments of connection, meaning, and happiness. It is essential to note that these strengths are benefici...

Feeling stuck in your career impacts multiple areas of life, with many experiencing frustration. To combat this, reflect on energizing aspects and draining elements of your job. Use Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory to address autonomy, competence, and relatedness in your work. Continuously learn, seeking mentors and staying updated with industry trends. Apply design thinking to your caree...

Psychological safety refers to an individual's ability to be genuine without fearing negative repercussions to their self-image, status, or career. In such environments, individuals feel respected and accepted. This safety results in open communication, where team members can admit ignorance or mistakes without fear. Leaders play a pivotal role in establishing this safety by leading by exampl...

This episode explores the influence of ideologies and the abundance of information in shaping our worldview. It questions whether constant exposure to diverse ideas and constant data intake is beneficial or overwhelming. The author suggests the need to filter information for personal relevance and accuracy, challenging the phrase 'information is power' and proposing 'clarity is powe...

This podcast highlights the impact of menopause on women's physical and mental well-being, as well as its effects on work and personal life. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing menopause symptoms, seeking support, and being open about the experience. Positive Psychology techniques, such as self-efficacy, physical activity, mindful activities, and interoception, are suggested to suppor...

This podcast emphasizes the power of asking oneself powerful questions for self-discovery and personal growth, particularly in midlife. It discusses how a powerful question emerges from the unique moment of self-reflection and how it can lead to new insights and understanding. Reflective approaches are suggested, including informal and formal techniques, to tune into these powerful questions. The...

This podcast explores the concept of feeling alive during mid-life transitions. It emphasizes the importance of embracing change and experiencing the "rapture of being alive" as described by Joseph Campbell. The author suggests creating a sacred place, a dedicated time and space for self-reflection and tuning into one's inner voice. They also encourage engaging in activities that br...

The author describes laughter and joy as the most authentic aspects of being human. It highlights the positive qualities associated with laughter, such as lightness, connection, confidence, and self-worth. Laughter is seen as a source of warmth, clear judgment, and not taking life too seriously. It is portrayed as a constant stream of support, offering understanding and hope in times of suffering....

This podcast discusses the nature of human beings as "doers" and the various activities we engage in throughout the day. It highlights the importance of actions and the impact they have on our lives and the world. The author explores how some individuals seek to make a difference through volunteering, art, entrepreneurship, education, or acts of kindness. They question whether there are...

The text discusses the importance of setting boundaries and asking for what we need. It acknowledges that asking for what we want may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if we've spent a long time discounting our own opinions and needs. The author explains how learned behaviors from childhood can affect our ability to express ourselves as adults. They provide examples and suggest practici...