Podcasts about new positive psychology

In this episode we compare and contrast the techniques of positive psychology with the techniques of nondual awareness practices. • Includes a guided meditation that focuses on raising one's vibration through gratitude in order to relax into pure beingness. Books or authors mentioned in this episode: Find Happiness Now: 50 Shortcuts for Bringing More Love, Balance, and Joy Into Your Life by Jonathan Robinson Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment By Tal Ben-Shahar Happier, No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience, and Purpose in Hard Times By Tal Ben-Shahar Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment By Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. NEWS: Awareness Explorers has made the following top listener charts on Goodpods:   #2 in the Top 100 Awakening All time chart  #5 in the Top 100 Joy All time chart  #5 in the Top 100 Awareness All time chart  #6 in the Top 100 Consciousness All time chart  #37 in the Top 100 Meditation All time chart To learn more about Awareness Explorers, and to listen to all of our podcast episodes, please visit:  https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/ If you want to listen to the meditations alone, you can find all of our meditations excerpted either in this playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLThffcko0gAVvivvVVGNfQgJxbWB6dF6Z Or on our Awareness Explorers website:  https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/meditations To Support Awareness Explorers, please consider clicking the "Donate" button on any AwarenessExplorers.com page, or becoming a Patreon supporter:  https://www.patreon.com/awarenessexplorers NOTE: If you are a Patreon supporter and have not been receiving our bonus material, please check to make sure that the email address you have on Patreon is an active one. To learn more about Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O'Connor, please visit  https://findinghappiness.com/ and  https://www.playawarenessgames.com/ You can listen to all of our episodes on this YouTube playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLThffcko0gAXyaArC4OyY0y84CZ8uSb_n Enjoy,  Jonathan and Brian Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash 

We modern serfs have forgotten something: we've forgotten how to live. You don't question the meaning of life when leisure is the heart of life rather than work. But with the rise of modern urban life, the intrinsic mode of living has died at the hands of the instrumental mode of life. Our entire lives have been colonised by "utility". We don't relax or rest for their own sake anymore — now we rest so that we are more productive. In this episode we explore these two relationships with time: the leisurely intrinsic mode and the future-oriented instrumental mode. _________________

Would you rather live in a better world or a happier one? In this video we are going to explore how equality has made the world a better place but also how, like the Edenic apple of knowledge, it has come with a cost. The world looks better from the outside but seen from the subjective side it seems that things have only gotten worse. This is following up on the recent episode on Nietzsche's concept of ressentiment that we examined in the previous episodes and follows along our explorations in to the social and political radical theme of modern times. ____________________

Research finds that by and large happiness is a learned and cultivated behavior. Even better? Decades of psychological research lay the foundation for a handy-dandy formula that helps us *increase* the amount of happiness we experience in our daily lives.On today's show: abandoning cultural expectations in favor of a happiness formula that's both practical and empirically-based. Here's a preview:[3:00] If happiness isn't a state of being, what is it, really? Should we even seek it out?[7:45] H = S + C + V! An easy-to-understand formula for a happier life[16:00] Adults today are less happy than adults in previous generations, and here's why[21:00] 7 research-backed ways to increase your level of enduring happiness Resources mentioned:Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Dr. Martin SeligmanEpisode #343: The Distorted Mirror--Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to Factor! Use code sustainable50 for 50% off. https://www.factor75.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For Nietzsche The Last Man stood as the opposite of the Ubermensch and the great danger of the "levelling" tendency of modernity. In this episode we are going to look at what Nietzsche meant by the Last Man and how his prophecy has come through. We look at The Last Man in 21st century society and what Nietzsche got right even while we should be cautious of fully embracing his ideal. ____________________

Sean Fahey has been an entrepreneur his whole life. He spent the last 13 years building Vidcruiter, an HR tech company that uses software and video to significantly improve the recruiting process for organizations. Sean shared his experience as an entrepreneur, the advantages and disadvantages of starting early and had plenty of helpful advice and suggestions for people who want to start their own business. KEY TAKEAWAYS  [01:44] – I ask Sean to share his story and how he got there. [03:42] - Sean reveals when his path started being an entrepreneur at the age of 19. [05:31] - Being an entrepreneur is not something that you even hear about as a career path. [08:15] - You need to be looking at and evolving your thought process in terms of, "what do I need to improve on the current status quo". [11:15] - You need to find a way into the business that suits your lifestyle, your model, what you want to invest in, what your outcome is, and, you know, do you want a lifestyle business or not? [13:59] - Sean expresses his views on investors, "If I can't convince someone to work for free on my idea and see if it's going to develop, why should I try to convince an investor to give me money on the idea?" [15:33] - It's too hard to tell if someone's going to be good long-term within three coffee dates, but this share trade for work concept is what Sean recommends to everyone. [18:44] - The goal is to have a win-win outcome. And so, the only way to do that is that everyone has realistic expectations about what the business is worth and where it is. [19:15] - Sean didn't set out to be a leader instead he set out to accomplish something. [22:17] - It's sort of like letting people decide the level of engagement that they want to have within the organization. [23:46] - One of the most essential things Sean thinks a business owner needs to realize and have in their operational mindset, is that if something is not flowing perfectly, there's a process that's missing. [24:45] - One of Sean's goals is to try and make sure everyone has fun at work.  [26:04] - Sean realizes that walking into work with a happy mindset, makes for happy people. [31:48] - If you want to be an entrepreneur, Sean recommends completing the grit test. [33:25] - Sean fell in love with the process: the process of building the business and the process of improving the business. [36:08] - Sean's definition of success is about being able to walk away and have the business keep growing and making an impact. [39:35] - The pandemic has made video interviewing popular, or maybe not popular, but normal. [40:35] - Sean shares his hobby or interest outside of work. [40:50] - Food for the body or food for the soul? [42:06] - Thank you and closing remarks. Contact Dino at: dino@al4ep.com Websites: https://vidcruiter.com/ (vidcruiter.com) https://authenticleadershipforeverydaypeople.com/ (al4ep.com) Additional Guest Links: Contact at: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vidcruiter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VidCruiter (facebook.com/VidCruiter) Twitter: https://twitter.com/VidCruiter (@VidCruiter) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VidCruiter (youtube.com/user/VidCruiter) Authentic Leadership For Everyday People / Dino Cattaneo Dino on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinocattaneo ( linkedin.com/in/dinocattaneo) Podcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/al4edp (@al4edp ) Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/al4edp (@al4edp)  Podcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/al4edp ( facebook.com/al4edp) Music Susan Cattaneo: https://susancattaneo.bandcamp.com/ (susancattaneo.bandcamp.com) Books https://www.belmontbooks.com/book/9781612680194 (Rich Dad, Poor Dad )by Robert Kiyosaki https://www.belmontbooks.com/book/9780743222983 (Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment) by Martin Selgiman https://www.belmontbooks.com/book/9781400078394 (Learned Optimism: How...

Dr Liana Lianov MD MPH is an innovative global leader in lifestyle medicine, not just in terms of leading the development of the original lifestyle medicine core competencies for physicians and healthcare professionals, but also in terms of advancing the movement for integrating positive psychology - that strengths-based approach to life - into healthcare. Her latest book is titled Strengths in the Mirror: Thriving Now and Tomorrow. It shares inspirational stories of colleagues and sums up how we can all flourish through healthy lifestyles, positive activities, and personal strengths. In 2018, Liana convened the first ever summit on Happiness Science and Healthcare, and she was co-sponsored by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Dell Medical School, where I was also an invited speaker and where we first met. Today, Liana joins me to talk about what makes a resilient mind. She shares her favorite books and what she's learned from them, and she explores the 5 core strengths: self-care, positive actions, social connections, character strengths, and brain strengths. We talk about the power of thinking small and of focusing on encouraging the positive rather than reversing the negative. She talks about the Global Positive Health Institute and explains why medicine should start with lifestyle and work outward from there. She discusses the strong and undeniable link between lifestyle medicine and positive psychology, she defines success, and she shares three takehomes for a resilient mind. “A resilient mind sets goals and pursues them and celebrates the small successes along the way--even if we don't fully achieve that goal. Anything along the way is worth celebrating.” - Liana Lianov This week on In the Doctor's Chair: Liana's favorite books and what she's learned from them The 5 core strengths The power of thinking small Maintaining the positive rather than changing the negative All about the Global Positive Health Institute Why medicine should start with lifestyle and work from there The link between lifestyle medicine and positive psychology The importance of trusting yourself Resources Mentioned: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward L. Deci  Love and Survival: 8 Pathways to Intimacy and Health by Dean Ornish Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E. P. Seligman Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink Strengths in the Mirror: Thriving Now and Tomorrow by Liana Lianov viacharacter.org In the Doctor's Chair Thanks for listening to In the Doctor's Chair, the show where you'll hear conversations that share life lessons, health habits, and leadership practices that focus on positive psychology, lifestyle medicine, and ways for you to live with more vitality. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts. For more resources to help you to live with more vitality, please visit my website. Apple Podcasts I TuneIn I Google Play I Stitcher I Spotify

Dr Liana Lianov MD MPH is an innovative global leader in lifestyle medicine, not just in terms of leading the development of the original lifestyle medicine core competencies for physicians and healthcare professionals, but also in terms of advancing the movement for integrating positive psychology – that strengths-based approach to life – into healthcare. Her latest book is titled Strengths in the Mirror: Thriving Now and Tomorrow. It shares inspirational stories of colleagues and sums up how we can all flourish through healthy lifestyles, positive activities, and personal strengths. In 2018, Liana convened the first ever summit on Happiness Science and Healthcare, and she was co-sponsored by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Dell Medical School, where I was also an invited speaker and where we first met. Today, Liana joins me to talk about what makes a resilient mind. She shares her favorite books and what she's learned from them, and she explores the 5 core strengths: self-care, positive actions, social connections, character strengths, and brain strengths. We talk about the power of thinking small and of focusing on encouraging the positive rather than reversing the negative. She talks about the Global Positive Health Institute and explains why medicine should start with lifestyle and work outward from there. She discusses the strong and undeniable link between lifestyle medicine and positive psychology, she defines success, and she shares three take-homes for a resilient mind. “A resilient mind sets goals and pursues them and celebrates the small successes along the way–even if we don't fully achieve that goal. Anything along the way is worth celebrating.” ~Dr Liana Lianov This week on In the Doctor's Chair: Liana's favorite books and what she's learned from them The 5 core strengths The power of thinking small Maintaining the positive rather than changing the negative All about the Global Positive Health Institute Why medicine should start with lifestyle and work from there The link between lifestyle medicine and positive psychology The importance of trusting yourself Resources Mentioned: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward L. Deci  Love and Survival: 8 Pathways to Intimacy and Health by Dean Ornish Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E. P. Seligman Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink Strengths in the Mirror: Thriving Now and Tomorrow by Liana Lianov viacharacter.org In the Doctor's Chair Thanks for listening to In the Doctor's Chair, the show where you'll hear conversations that share life lessons, health habits, and leadership practices that focus on positive psychology, lifestyle medicine, and ways for you to live with more vitality. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts. For more resources to help you to live with more vitality, please visit my website. Apple Podcasts I TuneIn I Google Play I Stitcher I Spotify The post #67 Strengths in the Mirror: Thriving Now and Tomorrow with Dr Liana Lianov appeared first on Mark Rowe.

Music: Max Richter- Spring  https://youtu.be/WaCib0B8T24[1] Lykken, David; Tellegen, Auke (1996). "Happiness Is a Stochastic Phenomenon" (PDF). Psychological Science. 7 (3):[2]Schor, Juliet. "The overspent american." (1998).[3] Seligman, Martin E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press.[4] Urban, J., & Máca, V. (2013). Linking traffic noise, noise annoyance and life satisfaction: a case study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 10(5), 1895–1915. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10051895[5] https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/feb/12/how-does-commuting-affect-wellbeing#:~:text=People%20commuting%20more%20than%2030,lower%20happiness%20levels%20on%20average.[6] Rodin, Judith; Langer, Ellen J. (1977). "Long-term effects of a control-relevant intervention with the institutionalized aged". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 35 (12): 897–902. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.35.12.897. PMID 592095.[7] Waldinger, Robert J, and Marc S Schulz. “What's love got to do with it? Social functioning, perceived health, and daily happiness in married octogenarians.” Psychology and aging vol. 25,2 (2010): 422-31. doi:10.1037/a0019087 

Summary:  Join us as we review how philosophers and modern secular psychologists understand mental health and well-being.  In this episode, we look at the attempts to define what make us happy, from the 4th century BC to the present day.  Arristipus, Aristotle, Descartes, Freud, Seligman, Porges, Schwartz, and two diagnostic systems.  We take a special look at how positive psychology and Internal Family Systems see well-being.   Lead in  In  June of 1991 I was really traumatized Just left a spiritually and psychologically abusive group and I was struggling  How could this have happened  I thought I was giving my life to God -- and then I find out the community I was in was like this --  Had to confront my own behaviors in the community -- manipulation, deception, betrayals of trust -- things like that.   I knew I had to recover.  And so I went on a quest  I was still Catholic, I never lost my faith, but I felt really burned by the Catholic Church  I wanted to learn everything I could about social influence, about group dynamics, about psychological manipulation -- in part so what happened before would never happen again, and also to tap into wisdom that I didn't have access to in my very sheltered community.  In short, I was on a quest to find out the best of what secular psychology had to offer.   I would have gone to a Catholic Graduate  What I was looking for  What I found   Introduction Question may arise, "Why Dr. Peter, since you are a Catholic psychologist, why are you even looking at these secular sources? Why even bother with them?  Don't we have everything we need in Scripture, in the traditions of the Church, in the writings of the Church Fathers and the saints, and in magisterial teaching?  I thought this was a Catholic podcast here.   Let me ask you question in return then -- Let's say you're experiencing serious physical symptoms -- something is wrong medically.  You have intense abdominal pain, right around your navel, your belly is starting to swell, you have a low-grade fever, you've lost your appetite and you're nauseous and you have diarrhea.  How would you react if I were to say to you: "Why are you considering consulting secular medical experts?  What need have you of doctors and a hospital?  Don't you have everything you need in Scripture, in the traditions of the Church, in the writings of the Church Fathers and the saints, and in magisterial teaching?   If I responded to you like that, you might think I'm a crackpot or that I believe in faith healing alone or that I just don't get what you are experiencing. Those are the symptoms of an appendicitis, and that infected appendix could burst 48-72 hours after your first symptoms.  If that happens, bacteria spread infection throughout your abdomen, and that is potentially life-threatening.  You would need surgery to remove the appendix and clean out your abdomen.   Remember that we are embodied beings -- we are composites of a soul and a body. The 17th Century Philosopher Rene Descartes' gave us a lot of great things, including analytic geometry,  but he was wrong splitting the body from the mind in his dualism.   Descartes' mind-body dualism, the idea that the body and the mind operate in separate spheres, and neither can be assimilated into the other which has been so influential in our modern era. In the last several years we are realizing just how much of our mental life and our psychological well-being is linked in various ways to our neurobiology -- the ways that our nervous systems function.  And the relationship between our embodied brain and our minds is reciprocal -- each affects the other in complex ways that we are just beginning to understand.  In other words, brain chemistry affects our emotional states.  And our emotional states and our behaviors affect brain chemistry.  It's not just our minds and it's not just our bodies and it's not just our souls -- it's all of those, all of what makes me who I am, body, mind, soul, spirit, all of it.   And since Scripture, the Early Church Fathers, the Catechism and so on are silent on neurobiology, neurochemistry, neurophysiology and so many other areas that impact our minds and our well-being, as a Catholic psychologist I am going to look elsewhere, I'm going to look into secular sources.  I just don't think it's reasonable to expect the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican to be experts in these areas -- it's not their calling.  I just don't think anyone is going to find an effective treatment for bulimia by consulting the writings of the Early Church Fathers or in St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.  That is unreasonable .  And it's just as unreasonable, in my opinion, to ignore the body and just try to work with the mind.   I also believe that God works through non-Catholics in many ways -- many non-Catholic researchers and clinicians and theorists are using the light of natural reason to discover important realities that help us understanding well-being, and they are inspired to seek what can be known with good motivations, with good hearts and sharp minds to help and love others.   I am a Catholic with upper-case C, a big C and I am catholic with a lower-case C -- a little C.  Catholic with a little C.  According to my Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Third Edition, which I rely on for wordfinding, according to this thesaurus, the synonyms for Catholic with a small c include the following terms:  universal, diverse, broad-based, eclectic, comprehensive, all-encompassing, all-embracing and all-inclusive.  That's what catholic with a small c means.  So I am Catholic with a big C and catholic with a small c.   And a final point about why I look to secular sources -- The Church herself encourages us to look to all branches of knowledge and glean what is best from them.   From the CCC, paragraph 159  "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are." And from the Vatican II document, the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, paragraph 62 reads:  In pastoral care, sufficient use must be made not only of theological principles, but also of the findings of the secular sciences, especially of psychology and sociology, so that the faithful may be brought to a more adequate and mature life of faith. Finally, I will say that considering the whole person -- Soul, spirit, mind and body -- all of the person is so much more helpful in the process of recovery that just splitting off the mind and working with it alone, or just trying to work with the mind and the soul but not the body.  So there are pragmatic considerations, practical aspects to this.  I like to practice psychology in ways that actually work.  The fruit that comes from considering the body and working with the body as well the mind and soul is just so much better.  And so we want to work in an integrative way.  That what this podcast Interior Integration for Catholics is all about -- this is episode 90 released on March 7. 2022, titled Your Well-Being:  The Secular Experts Speak and I am  I am clinical psychologist Peter Malinoski, your host and companion today, and also president and Co-Founder of Souls and Hearts at soulsandhearts.com -- our mission in Souls and Hearts is to bring the best of psychology and human formation grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person to help wounded Catholics rise above our psychological issues and human formation problems which hold us back from embracing love from Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God our Father and Mary our Mother and loving them back with our whole souls and hearts, with all our parts.    Secular Sources The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 -- DSM-5 for short.   From the American Psychiatric Association, which publishes the DSM-5 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the handbook used by health care professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. DSM contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It provides a common language for clinicians to communicate about their patients and establishes consistent and reliable diagnoses that can be used in the research of mental disorders. It also provides a common language for researchers to study the criteria for potential future revisions and to aid in the development of medications and other interventions. So you would think, given that glowing description of its prowess and authority that it would tell us what psychological well-being is, it would let us know what mental health is.  But if you thought that, you'd be wrong.   Nowhere in the nearly 1000 pages of this tome is there are definition.  You can't find it.  No definition of mental health or psychological wellbeing.  You get a definition of mental disorder and a couple of descriptions of what is not a mental disorder.  This is a quote from page 20.   Definition of a mental disorder:  A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities. An expectable or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss, such as the death of a loved one, is not a mental disorder. Socially deviant behavior (e.g., political, religious, or sexual) and conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are not mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict results from a dysfunction in the individual, as described above. But no definition of what optimal functioning, or happiness or well-being or psychological health would look like.  That's a real problem.  How are we supposed to know what psychological disorder is when we don't know what psychological health should entail? Canadian Blogger, author and Christian pastor Tim Challies published a blog titled "Counterfeit Detection" in which he describes how Canadian federal agents are trained to detect counterfeit bills -- they first get very familiar with the real money.  Real bills.  Those Canadian follow what John MacArthur wrote in his book Reckless Faith. "Federal agents don't learn to spot counterfeit money by studying the counterfeits. They study genuine bills until they master the look of the real thing. Then when they see the bogus money they recognize it."  Only then are they equipped to spot the forgeries.   So we need a standard, we need to know what well-being looks like so we can use it as a reference point for contrasting anything which is out of order in our psyches.  We're not going to get that reference point from the DSM-5, so let's turn to history.  Let's go back in time to the philosophers of ancient Greece who wrote about well-being and start there.  Let's see if we can find out from our secular sources what the good life is.  What psychological well-being is, what mental health is.    Hedonic wellbeing -- basically this is about feeling good:     Aristippus, a Greek philosopher in the fourth century BC argued that the primary and ultimate goal in life should be to maximize pleasure.  English philosophers  Thomas Hobbes 17th century and Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century, crossing into the 19th century also embraced Hedonic well being.   Definition:  Hedonic wellbeing "focuses on happiness and defines well-being in terms of pleasure attainment and pain avoidance” Ryan and Deci, 2001 On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology How much pleasure can I get?  How much pain can I avoid -- Hedonic wellbeing.  Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy The term “hedonism,” from the Greek word ἡδονή (hēdonē) for pleasure, refers to several related theories about what is good for us, how we should behave, and what motivates us to behave in the way that we do. All hedonistic theories identify pleasure and pain as the only important elements of whatever phenomena they are designed to describe.   Back to Ryan and Deci “the predominant view among hedonic psychologists is that well-being consists of subjective happiness and concerns the experience of pleasure versus displeasure broadly construed to include all judgments about the good/bad elements of life. Happiness is thus not reducible to physical hedonism, for it can be derived from attainment of goals or valued outcomes in varied realms  Ryan and Deci, 2001 On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology Summary statement:  Hedonic well-being -- maximize the pleasure, minimize the pain.   And that makes sense to us -- we all have some innate attraction to pleasure and some innate avoidance of pain.   Eudaimonic wellbeing "producing happiness," 1856, from Greek eudaimonikos "conducive to happiness," from eudaimonia "happiness," from eu "good" (see eu-) + daimōn "guardian, genius" (see daimon).  In contrast to hedonic wellbeing's focus on pleasure, we have eudaimonic well-being, which focuses on meaning and purpose in life.   Trace this back to Aristotle also in the 4th Century BC, contemporary of Aristippus.  Aristotle argued, especially in his Nichomachean Ethics -- Aristotle argued that the best things are the ones who perform their function to the highest degree.  My son John Malinoski used this example in his senior thesis for Wyoming Catholic college. His thesis was titled Into the Jung-le: Exploring How Modern Psychological Methodology Relates to and Transforms the Classical Understanding of Man's Psyche  and it has this passage which precisely describes how Aristotle saw well-being, using an illustrative  example of a squirrel and then describing what well-being is for us as human persons:   Aristotle begins his quest for the happy man with one of these endoxa: the generally held, plausible truth that the best things are the ones who perform their function to the highest degree. It seems self-evident that we would judge the worth of a squirrel based on how fast that squirrel can run, how high it can leap, or how much food it can find. In other words, the best squirrel is the one that best fulfills its squirrel nature. Correspondingly, the best man must be the man who excels at being a man; he performs the functions of man to the highest degree. While man has many functions which he shares in common with plants and animals--life, growth, sensation, and so on--he has one particular ability which is unique to him: the ability to reason. Since this higher faculty distinguishes and elevates man above the lesser beings below him, Aristotle claims that it must be the most important aspect of his soul, the characteristic function of man: “We posit the work of a human being as a certain life, and this is an activity of soul and actions accompanied by reason.”6 Since “each thing is brought to completion well in accord with the work proper to it,” it follows that “the human good becomes an activity of the soul in accord with virtue, and if there are several virtues, then in accord with the best and most complete one.”7  This is Aristotle's brief summation of the human good, or happiness. In short, the truly virtuous man has ordered his soul to the fullest extent: not only are all his actions ordered towards reason and the good, but all his inclinations point him toward these properly ordered actions as well. Gale and colleagues 2009 article in the Journal of Personality  The eudaimonic perspective of wellbeing – based on Aristotle's view that true happiness comes from doing what is worth doing – focuses on meaning and self-realization, and defines wellbeing largely in terms of ways of thought and behavior that provide fulfillment. Freud Let's fast forward 2400 years now to Freud.  From the 4th century BC to the 20th Century AD.  To Freud  A lot of people believe that Freud was really a hedonist -- in part because of his pleasure principle.  In Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality, the pleasure principle is that driving impulse of the id -- the id is the most basic, primitive part of the personality driven by instincts, mostly buried deep in the unconscious.  The pleasure principle describes how the id seeks immediate gratification of all its needs, wants, and urges, seeking with force to satiate hunger, quench thirst, discharge anger, and experience sexual pleasure.   "To Love and to Work" -- summarizing in one pithy statement what a healthy man or woman should be able to do well.   “Love and work…work and love, that's all there is…love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.” -- Civilization and its Discontents  Play:  Freud believed and taught that play was important -- play is a creative activity, play is an adaptive activity, and play is also a therapeutic activity because play generates pleasure through the release of  tension.  Summarize Freud's position on happiness -- the ability to Love, work and play.   Freud in his 1895 book "Studies on Hysteria" coauthored with Josef Breuer.  But you will see for yourself that much has been gained if we succeed in turning your hysterical misery into common unhappiness. With a mental life that has been restored to health, you will be better armed against that unhappiness.” Freud did not promise that his psychoanalytic method would remove "common unhappiness."  He taught that psychoanalysis had its limits.   Which leads us to fast forward 100 years to the late 1990's and the advent of Positive Psychology, which is not satisfied by just accepting common unhappiness.  Positive psychology posits that we can do something about that common unhappiness and make it better -- so it is more ambitious in its goals and promises than Freud ever was.   Positive Psychology:   Definitions:   Peterson 2008  “Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living”  positive psychology is a scientific approach to studying human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses, building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” instead of focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal”  the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing  -- flourishing really is the focus of positive psychology, it's a critical word.  And there's a focus on flourishing in three primary domains.   Flourishing  intrapersonally -- which means within one's own person, within one's own being -- intrapersonally (e.g. biologically, emotionally, cognitively) Flourishing interpersonally (e.g. relationally), in our personal relationships And flourishing collectively (e.g. institutionally, culturally and globally) -- in our culture and society -- flourishing collectively So flourishing is the key word, and the focus is on flourishing intrapersonally, interpersonally, and collectively So what makes the good life according to positive psychologists, according to Martin Seligman? Seligman in his 2002 book Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment details four different forms of what he calls "the good life."  Four different forms or ways of living well, four kinds of well-being.    These are the 1) the pleasant life; 2) a good life; 3) a meaningful life; and 4) a full life.  Repeat them.   We'll go through each one of these starting with the pleasant life.   The pleasant life: according to Martin Seligman, the pleasant life is a simple life, he says "a life that successfully pursues the positive emotions about the present, past and future"  He elaborates, "The pleasant life is wrapped up in the successful pursuit of the positive feelings, supplemented by the skills of amplifying those emotions."  This takes us back to the hedonic wellbeing we discussed earlier, as originally posited by Aristippus, our Greek philosopher in the fourth century BC.  All about the pursuit of good feelings, maximizing positive emotions.  The good life: The good life, according to positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman means  "using your signature strengths to obtain abundant gratification in the main realms of one's life"  So in this good life, you are able to use your particular talents and unique skills, your special strengths, being true to your own character, being true to your values and virtues, so this sense of "authenticity" is very important in the good life.  So we have the pleasant life, all about positive emotions; and now the good life, in which you have abundant gratification by you doing you, by you being authentic through using your signature qualities in in the world.  The good life is not a permanent state -- we are not always going to be able to use our special talents and qualities in a way that is gratifying to us -- rather, the good life has to be a process of ongoing growth, a process of development.  It's all about continuing to grow.   Then we have the  meaningful life, that's the third form, the meaningful life.  Seligman describes this as "using your signature strengths and virtues in the service of something much larger than you are" In this way of living well, you have a strong bond to "something larger than yourself."  In this way of well-being, it's up to each individual what that "something larger than yourself" is going to be.  So at this point we've covered three of the four kinds of well-being:  we have the pleasant life, all about maximizing your pleasant emotions, we have the good life, which is all about using your signature strength and virtues to be gratified, and we have the third form, the meaningful life, in which we use our signature strengths and virtues in the service of something larger than us.  This level of well-being brings us back to Aristotle and his eudaimonic well-being, which focuses on pursuing meaning and purpose in life.   That leaves us with the fourth way, the full life.  Seligman describes the full life as follows: «Finally, a full life consists in experiencing positive emotions about the past and future, savoring positive feelings from pleasures, deriving abundant gratification from your signature strengths, and using these strengths in the service of something larger to obtain meaning»  So what is added to the first three ways of well-being in this last way, the fourth way, the full life is the concept of service.  Here's where he starts to sound a little like Bob Dylan's 1979 song "Gotta Serve Somebody."  In the full life, a  man uses his strengths and abilities in the most optimized way to serve something larger than himself." In the full life, a woman gets outside herself and brings her talents and virtues to serve a greater good in a way that shines.  The full life reflects optimal human functioning.  Seligman thus is very Aristotleian in how  he argues that a person has the best experience of life, the greatest sense of well-being when that person is functioning  optimally, bringing all the particular talents, skills, strengths and virtues to bear in the services of the greater good.  Effort to refocus psychology on wholeness and wellness -- not on illness or disorder or weaknesses or problems Focus on positive aspects A to Z list from Chapter 2 of the book Well-Being, Recovery, and Mental Health by Lindsay Oades and Lara Mossman:  altruism, accomplishment, appreciation of beauty and excellence, authenticity, best possible selves, character strengths, coaching, compassion, courage, coping, creativity, curiosity, emotional intelligence, empathy, flow, forgiveness, goal setting, gratitude, grit, happiness, hope, humor, kindness, leadership, love, meaning, meditation, mindfulness, motivation, optimism, performance, perseverance, positive emotions, positive relationships, post-traumatic growth, psychological capital, purpose, resilience, savoring, self-efficacy, self-regulation, spirituality, the good life, virtues, wisdom and zest.  Origin of Positive Psychology is often attributed to Abraham Maslow's 1954 book "Motivation and Personality."   Really took off in the late 1990's when positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman became president of the American Psychological Society and was able to effectively popularize positive psychology Increase human strength -- make people more "productive"  Nurturing of genius and fostering greater human potential  Calling for research on human strength and virtue.   How do human being flourish at the individual level, the community level, and at the societal level?   Emphasis on Different interventions that have been found to improve levels of happiness and well-being.   Best possible self -- writing about yourself at your best, remembering yourself at your best Working on forgiveness -- I find this really interesting that forgiveness  -- Robert Enright has done a lot of research in this area, with a focus on letting go of anger, resentment and bitterness toward those who have caused me pain. Getting a more balanced view of the offender  Reducing negative feelings toward the offender and possibly increasing compassion  Relinquishing the right to punish the offender or demand restitution.     Increasing gratitude -- finding things to be thankful for, reflecting on blessings, expressing gratitude in a variety of ways -- Gratitude is the expression of appreciate for what I have.  Research shows many positive psychological benefits to deliberately practicing gratitude Fostering optimism -- the tendency to anticipate favorable outcomes.  Things are going to work out.  The glass is half full.  The idea is that optimism can be learned.  It can be practiced and developed and when it is, people feel better.   Cultivating Mindfulness the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment“ (Kabat-Zinn, Reference Kabat-Zinn2003, p. 2) Listening to uplifting music Positive Psychotherapy Savoring (savoring can be past-focused (reminiscing about positive experiences), present-focused (savoring the moment) or future-focused (anticipating positive experiences yet to come) (Smith et al., 2014) Self-compassionate writing -- being gentle with yourself in your journal PDM 2 -- Now completely revised (over 90% new), this is the authoritative diagnostic manual grounded in psychodynamic clinical models and theories. Explicitly oriented toward case formulation and treatment planning, PDM-2 offers practitioners an empirically based, clinically useful alternative or supplement to DSM and ICD categorical diagnoses.  A clinically useful classification of mental disorders must begin with a concept of healthy psychology. Mental health is more than simply the absence of symptoms. Just as healthy cardiac functioning cannot be defined as an absence of chest pain, healthy mental functioning is more than the absence of observable symptoms of psychopathology. p.3 Three major axes: Personality Organization, Mental Functioning, and Symptom Patterns Personality Organization P Axis What level of personality organization does the person have?   4 major categories -- psychotic, borderline, neurotic, and healthy.   What style personality or pattern does one have -- e.g. depressive, hypomanic, masochistic, dependent, anxious-avoidant (aka phobic), obsessive-compulsive, schizoid, somatizing, hysteric/histrionic, narcissistic, paranoid, psychopathic, sadistic, and borderline.  You've got one of these styles.   Mental Functioning -- overall description of mental functioning -- the capacities involved in psychological health or pathology -- looking at the inner mental life of the person Symptom Patterns -- S axis -- looks at emotional states, cognitive processes, bodily experiences, and relational patterns -- looks at the person's personal experience of his or her difficulties Psychodiagnostic Chart-2 by Robert Gordon and Robert Bornstein -- downloadable Use   Breaking it down Personality Organization P Axis -- What level of personality organization does the person have.  4 major categories -- psychotic, borderline, neurotic, and healthy.  What style personality or pattern does one have -- e.g. depressive, hypomanic, masochistic, dependent, anxious-avoidant (aka phobic), obsessive-compulsive, schizoid, somatizing, hysteric/histrionic, narcissistic, paranoid, psychopathic, sadistic, and borderline.  You've got one of these styles.   To be able to understand oneself in complex, stable, and accurate ways To maintain intimate, stable, and satisfying relationships To use more healthy defenses and copings strategies -- anticipation, self-assertion, sublimation, suppression, altruism and humor To appreciate, if not necessarily conform to, conventional notions of what is realistic Life problems rarely get out of hand There is enough flexibility to accommodate to challenging realities Mental Functioning M axis  Cognitive processes capacity to regulate thinking, attention, learning  Capacity to communicate one's thoughts to others   Emotional processes to be able to experience a full range of emotions  To regulate emotions well  To understand one's own emotions  To be able to communicate one's emotions   Identity -- deals with the question, who am I? Capacity for differentiation -- a solid sense of being psychological separate from others -- not fused, or enmeshed or co-dependent  Regulation of self-esteem  Awareness of internal experience   Relationships Capacity for relationships  Capacity for intimacy   Defenses and coping Impulse control -- regulation of impulses   Defensive functioning -- able to use effective coping strategies e.g. extreme denial  vs. humor   Adaptation -- this is a state, reflecting how an individual deals with specific stressors going on in life right now  Resilience -- this is a trait -- general ability  Check out episodes 20, 21, 22, and 23 of this podcast for a four part series on resilience American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress— such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences.”  So resilience is a trait.  Strength   Self-awareness Self-observing capacities -- psychological mindfulness  Self-direction   Capacity to construct and use internal standards and ideal A sense of meaning and purpose in life   Symptom patterns -- S Axis the severity of psychological symptoms   Polyvagal theory -- we spent the last episode, episode 89 titled "Your Body, Your Trauma: Protection vs. Connection discussing Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory.   Deb Dana: Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection The ventral vagal system truly powers the journey to well-being Now remember, the ventral vagal system corresponds to  the ventral branch of the vagal nerve-- and the ventral vagal system serves the social engagement system -- remember -- that's the relational connection system. The ventral vagal nerve dampens the body's regularly active state. The ventral vagal nerve allows activation of the autonomic nervous system in a nuanced way, thus offering a different quality than sympathetic activation -- that's how you can being excited and celebrate your favorite sports team score again against their rivals without becoming overwhelmed by a fight or flight response.  What is it like to be in a ventral vagal state?  It's a positive state -- it's not just the absence of being in sympathetic hyperarousal when you are in fight or flight.  It's also not just the absence of being in a dorsal vagal hypoarousal shutdown or freeze state.  It's more than just those two systems being downregulated.  It's the ventral vagal system being activated.  It's an active state with these properties  Physical responses Reduced heart rate  Steady breathing  Relaxed digestion  Rest and recuperation  Vitality  Circulation to extremities  Stress reduction   Psychological responses A sense of calm  A sense of safety  Feeling grounded  Joy  Mindfulness  An ability to be very much in the present moment   Relational responses Desire for connection with others.  A genuine interest in others  Openness and receptivity in relationship  Acceptance and embracing of vulnerability   Empathy and compassion for others Oxytocin is released that stimulates social bonding  Ability to related and to connect with others without anxiety   This state changes the way we look and sound to others -- the tone and rhythm of your voice is more inviting   Story -- I'm in a good place, I can be loved and love, I can connect with others, there is good in the world.  Live is so worth living, and I want to share joy and peace and even sorrow and challenges with other people.   So polyvagal theory is going to focus specifically on the regulation of your nervous system in assessing your well-being.  The more you can be in a ventral vagal state, whether you are resting or excited, the better.  So for those therapists who use polyvagal theory, there is a focus on resetting the autonomic nervous system, helping us in a bodily way to get back to a ventral vagal state.  And we contrast that to the sympathetic fight or flight response and the dorsal vagal shutdown response.   Danger activates the sympathetic system, we are all about survival now  Physical responses Body is mobilized for action.  Ready to run / Efforts to escape  Hypervigilance -- body goes on high alert, pupils dilating, letting more light  Very high levels of energy in this state, adrenaline rush  Muscles get tense  Blood pressure rises  Heart rate accelerates  Adrenaline releases  Extra oxygen is circulated to vital organs  Digestion decreases  Immune response is suppressed   Psychological responses  Emotional Overwhelm usually worry moving to anxiety to fear to panic  Or frustration to irritation to anger to rage confrontational, aggressive   Scanning for threats  Capacity for complex, flexible reasoning is very much reduced -- leads to confusion  No sense of safety, you start missing signs of safety and misreading signs of safety   Relational responses Sense of separation, isolation from others-- cut off from others, no sense of relational connection anymore -- the connection is sacrificed in order to seek greater protection  Disconnection from self, others, world, disconnected spiritually.-- you can't see others, really, except through the lens of danger and safety   If we don't feel safe, there's no way we can provide a sense of safety to others.   Story: The world is unsafe and people are dangerous, unfriendly, scary, falling apart   When the mobilization doesn't bring a resolution to the distress -- then the ANS takes the final step, and shoots the last arrow it has in its quiver.  This is the freeze response. When there is a deep sense that my life is threatened and the sympathetic activation doesn't resolve the perceived threat, then the dorsal vagal system kicks in.  That's the freeze response, that's the collapse into "dorsal vagal lifelessness"  Physical response Heart rate decreases, slows way down  Blood pressure drops  Body temperature decreases  Muscle tone relaxes  Breathing becomes shallow  Immune response drops  Pain threshold increases -- greater pain tolerance because of endorphin release that numbs pain.   Immobilization response -- appearing physically dead  Digestion and metabolism slows way down -- going into conservation mode, like hibernating until the life threat passes.   Psychological response Sense of helplessness  Depression, despondency, lethargy  Numbing out  Disconnection  Thinking become very foggy, fuzzy, unclear  Dissociation, Spacing out, feeling disconnect from the present, untethered, floating, derealization   Feeling trapped Preparing for death Feeling hopeless Shutting down and feeling psychologically inert, paralyzed Feeling a deep sense of shame Relational response Very isolated  Can't listen to others, don't notice them very well, because of how shut down and self-absorbed you are in this state  Can't share very well, difficulty with words  Very little agency  Can't focus   Story:  A story of despair.  I am unlovable, invisible, lost, alone, in desperate straits, about to die.   So polyvagal theory is going to focus specifically on the regulation of your nervous system in assessing your well-being.   According to polyvagal theory if we are in sympathetic arousal, the fight or flight mode, we are focused on the perceived dangers around us and we focus on self-protection.  This leads us to sacrifice connection with others.   If we are in the dorsal vagal shutdown, the freeze response, we hiding from the prospect of imminent death, shutting down into a conservation mode, hoping to survive the perceived imminent lethal danger by becoming immobile.   So for those therapists informed by polyvagal theory, there is a focus on resetting the autonomic nervous system, helping us in a bodily way to get back to a ventral vagal state, to leave the dorsal vagal shutdown state, to leave the sympathetic fight-or-flight state and get back to a peaceful bodily state.  These therapists start with the body, not so much the mind.   Internal Family Systems or IFS-- developed by Richard Schwartz, described in the first edition of Internal Family System Therapy which was published in 1995  IFS brings systems thinking inside -- it conceptualized the human person as a living system.  Richard Schwartz is a family therapist who was trained in family systems work.  He recognized that the inner life of a person mirrored family life, from a systems perspective.  But before we go much further, let's ask the question -- What is a system:  Definition from Ben Lutkevich at techtarget.com Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. The systems thinking approach contrasts with traditional analysis, which studies systems by breaking them down into their separate elements.  Wellbeing according to IFS is when inner system of the person shows certain qualities Balance  -- the degree of influence that each member has in the system on decisions making is appropriate and that the boundaries are balanced and appropriate within the system.   Harmony -- an effort is made to find the role each member desires and and for which he is best suited.  Members of the system work together, cooperatively.  The harmony of the system allows each member to find and pursue his own vision while fitting that member's vision into the broader vision of the system as a whole.  There is cooperation and collaboration among the members of the system.   Leadership --One or more members of the system must have the ability and respect to do the following: Mediate polarizations  Facilitate the flow of information withing the system  Ensure that all members of the system are protected and cared for and that they feel valued and encouraged to pursue their individual vision within the limits of the system's needs  Allocate resources, responsibilities, and influence fairly  Provide a broad perspective and vision for the system as a whole  Represent the system in interaction with other systems  And interpret feedback from other systems honestly   Development -- the members of the system and the system itself can grow -- developing the skills and relationships needed to carry out the vision of the system.   IFS model of the person Person is composed of a body, plus his parts, plus his self -- that's the internal system of a person -- body, parts, and self  This will be a review for many of you who listen to the podcast   Self:  The core of the person, the center of the person.  This is who we sense ourselves to be in our best moments, and when our self is free, and unblended with any of our parts, it governs our whole being as an active, compassionate leader, with a deep sense of recollection on the natural level.  You can also experience being in self as an expansive state of mind   We want to be recollected, we want the self governing all of our parts Like the conductor -- leading the musicians in an orchestra Like the captain -- leading and governing all the sailors on a ship.   When we are recollected, in self, 8 C's -- this is the ideal state Calm  -agitation, frustration, anxious, stressed, angry   Curiosity -- indifferent, disinterested, seeing other parts and seeing other people in two dimensions, one dimension, or no dimensions -- Episode 72 -Y- nuanced vs. reductionistic understandings of ourselves and others.   Compassion -- cold, uncaring, unfriendly, hard, reserved, unsympathetic Confidence -- timid, pessimistic, doubtful and insecure Courage -- fearful, shy, faint-hearted, irresolute Clarity -- confused, muddled inside, things are obscured, dark inside, foggy, sees vague forms moving in a shadow world.   Connectedness  -- internal fragmentation, disjointed, distant, aloof Creativity  -- uninspired, inept, very conventional, repetitive futility, doing the same thing over and over again, with no different results Parts:  Separate, independently operating personalities within us, each with own unique prominent needs, roles in our lives, emotions, body sensations, guiding beliefs and assumptions, typical thoughts, intentions, desires, attitudes, impulses, interpersonal style, and world view.  Each part also has an image of God and also its own approach to sexuality.  Robert Falconer calls them insiders.   IFS has two states Unblended -- this is when one is in a state of self  Unburdened -- this is when our parts are freed from their burndens.   Interpersonal Neurobiology -- pioneered by Daniel Siegel  Definition -- Interpersonal Neurobiology is not a separate discipline -- it's not something that would have its own academic department within a university, for example.  Rather, it is an interdisciplinary framework -- and that means that Interpersonal Neurobiology or IPNB for short, draws from many different disciplines -- many different approaches that have their own individual and unique rigorous approaches to studying phenomena relevant to well-being.   I'm very into IPNB -- taking a Master Class with Daniel Siegel right now.   We're going to get into Interpersonal Neurobiology and it's views on mental health and well being in Episode 92 of this podcast Closing Weekly emails  Special bonus podcast will be coming to you on Friday, March 25, 2022 -- the feast of the Annunciation, with an exciting announcement, this is just an extra podcast about a major effort that we are involved in at Souls and Hearts.  Dr. Gerry Crete will be joining me to discuss this with you.  So tune in then for all the new happenings at Souls and Hearts  Catholic Therapists and Grad Students --  I will be doing a free Zoom webinar at from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM Eastern time on Saturday March 26, 2022 on Internal Family Systems and loving your neighbor  -- it's all about how understanding myself and others from an IFS perspective can help us love each other  -- any Catholic therapist or grad student in a mental health field is free to attend.  Email Patty Ellenberger, our office manager at admin@soulsandhearts.com for a registration link.   Dr. Gerry's Catholic Journeymen Community has relaunched within Souls and Hearts.  Men -- you are welcome to join a group of faithful Catholic men seeking restoration, wholeness, and integrity in areas of sexuality and relationship with God, self, and others. Catholic Journeymen is a safe space for men to share burdens, receive support, and be nourished by a distinctive program combining behavioral health science and Catholic spirituality. Check that out at soulsandhearts.com/catholic-journeymen.   Conversation Hours You are a listener to this podcast, and in that sense, you are with me.  I am also with you!  Remember, can call me on my cell any Tuesday or Thursday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time for our regular conversation hours.  I've set that time aside for you.  317.567.9594.  (repeat) or email me at crisis@soulsandhearts.com.  Waiting list is open for The Resilient Catholics Community at Soulsandhearts.com/rcc for our June 2022  So much information there and videos.  Patron and Patroness      

No time to read? No worries, I got you!! LIVE LIFE HAPPY THE UNCONVENTIONAL BOOK CLUB FOR BUSY PEOPLE with Andrea Seydel  _________________________________ Welcome, If you love books as much as I do, you will love the content I create! No time to read, but love learning? Don't worry; I got you. I am book obsessed (to say the least),  I believe that Books Change Lives!  Sign up at my website and gain access to hundreds of Book summaries in my BOOK VAULT so you can start putting knowledge into action right away...   Hugs!  Andrea  __________________________________ THIS EPISODE: Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment Are you interested in becoming happier and more successful? Are you curious about the science of happiness? Are you interested in learning ways to fulfill his or her full potential? Did you know that happiness can be learned or cultivated? Did you know that each and everyone has the power to inject real joy into our lives? Happiness can be lastingly increased: Welcome to Positive Psychology. Psychology for too long has focused on illnesses only. It’s time for a new psychology of happiness and optimal life Positive Psychology is a new domain in psychology that’s only about 20 years old. In its essence, it’s the study of human well-being. Seligman defines it as the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life. Authentic Happiness was one of the first books talking about this new science and showing us how we can apply it in our own lives to realize our potential for lasting fulfillment. It shows us why happiness matters, what determines it, and how to create more of it in our lives. _________________________ LET'S CONNECT:  Live Life Happy with Andrea Seydel  Instagram Facebook Website YouTube  Podcast  Have you subscribed, left a comment or review yet? I put a lot of love and energy into my content. I would really appreciate it if you could support me by hitting Subscribe, Comment on what you think, and provide any feedback with an honest Review. Your support wouldn't take long and can really help grow the show!! Don't forget to get your full book highlight and summary sheets here, CLICK Book Vault.  Finally, Do you have exciting book suggestions? What book are you dying to read and don’t have the time to read but really love the content coached to you. Let me know, and I will do my very best to highlight your suggestion!! Please respond in the comments or direct message me on social. I can't wait to hear your suggestions... SO MANY BOOKS SO LITTLE TIME! HUGS!! Andrea P.S. If you want to give birth to a book, but you don't know-how or simply are having troubles with where to start turning your hard-earned knowledge into book form, I am your gal! I know how to help you painlessly give birth to your book and get it published. They don't call me the Book Doula for anything!~ Let me help you map out your book plan in a FREE discovery call today!   

What do we mean when we talk about living a happy life? A truly happy life is not just focused on pleasure and happy feelings all the time. A life that is satisfying is one that is filled with meaning and purpose. In this episode, we talk about the different levels of happiness we can experience and work to find ways to move toward a more full and abundant life.  Links and Resources from this episode:  Books Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin Seligman The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness by Emily Esfahani Smith Identifying your Strengths VIA Character Strengths Survey Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment Strengths Profile Develop More Clarity in Life Life Clarity Workbook More ideas to help you thrive at  www.WorkingMomsBalance.com Find me on Instagram @TracyKulwicki --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tracy-kulwicki/support

Odcinek 45 podcastu Z Warsztatu Lidera „Jak budować szczęśliwe miejsca pracy?” to rozmowa z Piotrem Lorenzem HR Lead& Chief Happiness Offficer w Xceedance.Rozmawiamy dziś o szczęściu, które nie jest jednak rozpatrywane, jako chwilowy stan emocjonalny, związany z uczuciem przyjemności lub sprzyjający zbieg okoliczność. W naszym odcinku chcemy podkreślić sprawczość, która wiąże się z pojęciem Happiness at Work. Odpowiemy m.in. na pytanie, czy obecność benefitów koreluje z poczuciem szczęścia pracowników i jakie są inne narzędzia wspierające tę wyjątkową wartość. Na przykładzie firmy Xceedance, Piotr opowie o tym, jak, jak zbudować taką kulturę organizacyjną, która pomoże ludziom osiągnąć poczucie zadowolenia i na co to szczęście się właściwie przekłada?Posłuchaj najnowszego odcinka Z Warsztatu Lidera, aby dowiedzieć się jak budować szczęśliwe miejsca pracy, również w Twojej organizacji.Pytania do odcinka:Czym jest happiness at work?W jaki sposób dba o pracowników Chief Officer/Manager of Happiness at Work?Jak implementować teorię naukową nt. Happiness at Work na potrzeby codziennej pracy w organizacji?Rola lidera zespołu w kreowaniu szczęścia w pracyJak wspierać budująca rolę emocji w środowisku pracy?Polecane linki:Profil LinkedIn Piotra Lorenza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piotrlorenz/Lektury polecane przez Piotra na temat happiness at work: Podejście biznesowe: 1.      Alexander Kjerulf - "Leading with Happiness"2.      Alexander Kjerulf - "Happy Hour is 9 to 5. How to love your job, Love your life and Kick Butt at Work"3.       Tony Hseih - "Delivering Happiness"4.      Shawn Achor - "The Happiness Advantage. How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life"5.      Jennifer Moss and Shawn Achor "Unlocking Happiness at Work: How Data-driven Happiness Strategy Fuels Purpose, Passion and Performance"Podejście naukowe: 1.      Martin Seligman "Authenthic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment"2.      Marting Seligman "Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being"3.      Sonya Lyubomirsky "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want"4.      Sonya Lyubomirsky "The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but it Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does"5.      Barbara Fredricskon "Positivity. The Top-Noch Research Reveals the 3-to-1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life"Instytucje naukowe: 1.      Greater Good Science Center (Berkley University): https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/2.      Happiness Studies Academy: https://www.happinessstudies.academy/Link do odcinka na Youtube:

Odcinek 45 podcastu Z Warsztatu Lidera „Jak budować szczęśliwe miejsca pracy?” to rozmowa z Piotrem Lorenzem HR Lead& Chief Happiness Offficer w Xceedance.Rozmawiamy dziś o szczęściu, które nie jest jednak rozpatrywane, jako chwilowy stan emocjonalny, związany z uczuciem przyjemności lub sprzyjający zbieg okoliczność. W naszym odcinku chcemy podkreślić sprawczość, która wiąże się z pojęciem Happiness at Work. Odpowiemy m.in. na pytanie, czy obecność benefitów koreluje z poczuciem szczęścia pracowników i jakie są inne narzędzia wspierające tę wyjątkową wartość. Na przykładzie firmy Xceedance, Piotr opowie o tym, jak, jak zbudować taką kulturę organizacyjną, która pomoże ludziom osiągnąć poczucie zadowolenia i na co to szczęście się właściwie przekłada?Posłuchaj najnowszego odcinka Z Warsztatu Lidera, aby dowiedzieć się jak budować szczęśliwe miejsca pracy, również w Twojej organizacji.Pytania do odcinka:Czym jest happiness at work?W jaki sposób dba o pracowników Chief Officer/Manager of Happiness at Work?Jak implementować teorię naukową nt. Happiness at Work na potrzeby codziennej pracy w organizacji?Rola lidera zespołu w kreowaniu szczęścia w pracyJak wspierać budująca rolę emocji w środowisku pracy?Polecane linki:Profil LinkedIn Piotra Lorenza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piotrlorenz/Lektury polecane przez Piotra na temat happiness at work: Podejście biznesowe: 1.      Alexander Kjerulf - "Leading with Happiness"2.      Alexander Kjerulf - "Happy Hour is 9 to 5. How to love your job, Love your life and Kick Butt at Work"3.       Tony Hseih - "Delivering Happiness"4.      Shawn Achor - "The Happiness Advantage. How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life"5.      Jennifer Moss and Shawn Achor "Unlocking Happiness at Work: How Data-driven Happiness Strategy Fuels Purpose, Passion and Performance"Podejście naukowe: 1.      Martin Seligman "Authenthic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment"2.      Marting Seligman "Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being"3.      Sonya Lyubomirsky "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want"4.      Sonya Lyubomirsky "The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but it Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does"5.      Barbara Fredricskon "Positivity. The Top-Noch Research Reveals the 3-to-1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life"Instytucje naukowe: 1.      Greater Good Science Center (Berkley University): https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/2.      Happiness Studies Academy: https://www.happinessstudies.academy/Link do odcinka na Youtube:

You're good at looking like you have it all together. So why, over the last few months, has your confidence gotten a little shaky? In this episode, Karlee addresses this phenomenon that women are experiencing around the world: feeling like your world’s been rocked lately, feeling tender or like you’re missing that oomph of confidence to push you forward. Hear why many driven women are feeling like their foundation is less sturdy, what area of your life you may require a little more nourishment right now, and how to discover lasting self-efficacy. Here’s your invitation: it’s time to dust off your signature strengths and put them to work for you. (Get the Signature Strengths Master-sheet Karlee Mentions In This Episode for FREE below Episode 37 HERE.)Tune in to elevate your sense of capacity, clarity and confidence so that you can move forward with a realistic look at how truly capable you are. In This Episode, You Will Learn: What makes you feel steady, clear and confident. (6:42)Why your confidence might be shaken right now. (10:05)Proven methods that lead to lasting confidence. (17:20)How to identify your signature strengths. (20:17)How to apply your signature strengths to an area in your life you’d like to grow in. (31:05)People Mentioned In This Episode: Dr. Robert Leahy, from the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy Weill-Cornell UniversityMartin E. P. SeligmanResources Mentioned In This Episode: Get the Signature Strengths Master-sheet Karlee Mentions In This Episode for FREE below Episode 37 HERE.Episode 1: One Word That Will Elevate Everything You DoAuthentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman 4 Ways to Improve and Increase Self-Efficacy by Madhuleena Roy ChowdhuryThe National Academies of Science, Engineering Medicine: Learning, Remembering, Believing: Enhancing Human Performance See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

So many books, so little time! Join Daph and June as they recount their journey with reading through the ages as they deep dive into the books that have made an impression. From dystopian futures to being authentically happy, let us know what books have changed YOUR lives.- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo- Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment, Martin Seligman- Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation, Tim Brown- Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood- The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-ExupéryHave feedback, comments or just want to keep in touch between episodes? Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/listmetender/Join two Sydney-sider, long-time friends, and thirty-somethings, June and Daph, as they delve into “bucket list” items to do before you turn 30. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is it that we are really seeking? Who came up with the idea of work/life balance anyway?You and I both know that showing up to a job and feeling like we have to give our left arm is not very fun. It causes stress, hurts relationships, and damages our health. But how do we find this Work/Life balance that everyone is seeking?Today, I explore the real disconnect that drives us to scream, “I need more work/life balance.”What if you could wake up every day, happy with your work and your life? In today’s podcast, I am going to share the critical building blocks to a flourishing life. I am going to share some great resources to help you identify your values and how these contribute to a thriving and flourishing career and life. So if you’re ready to find balance in your life, today’s show is a must-listen. Work/life balance shouldn’t be a myth but a reality in your life. Check Out These Highlights:(03:44) Today's episode, it's all about busting the myth around work life balance.(07:09) "do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."(08:13) Sharing details from Martin Seligman’s PERMA model. PERMA model is a model of well-being. And says that when you're able to use your values, then you're able to flourish.(11:27) So, how do you find work life balance? How do you know what that looks like for you? Well, for everyone, I believe that work life balance is very different.(14:03) There's another side to work life balance as well and that's time management.Links:Scribd- Awesome subscription service for books and audiobooks and more.Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin SeligmanFlourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Martin SeligmanDeviant Thinking Podcast #3 – Company Culture – Are you a Fit?Subscribe & Review in iTunesIf you like it, would you share and review it? Means the world to me when I see shares of my podcast. And reviews? Well, on iTunes, they mean everything. Thanks! Click here to subscribe in iTunes! It is the only way to never miss an episode!

You may remember in my introduction to our CoachMe Vancouver Podcast Season 2, I mentioned that, in addition to our amazing Featured CoachMe Coaches, we’ll also have guests this season who are experts and topic enthusiasts on specific areas of personal and professional development that will support your growth journey even more.This is the 1st episode where we welcome an expert guest and I’m very pleased to have recorded an interview with David Cory about ‘How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Become a Better Leader’.David Cory is a leadership development trainer, consultant, and Key Note Speaker known for his expertise in applying the concept of emotional intelligence to individual and organizational performance improvement.David founded one of the first companies in North America to focus on the development of leadership based on emotional intelligence. The Emotional Intelligence Training Company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018 and certifies more people to use the EQ-i in North America than any other company.In the course of his work, David has been an invited guest of the Sultan of Brunei, worked under armed guard in Nigeria, been kicked out of a restricted area in Saudi Arabia, chased by an elephant in Zambia, and sang for royalty in Malaysia. David’s company completed the design of an emotional intelligence skills development course for an entire nation. This was a first in the world. The course is currently being delivered through a train-the-trainer model to the citizens of Botswana.Amongst many other points, in this podcast we’ll learn:What is Emotional Intelligence and EQ.What 'good' EI looks like in everyday life.Why EI matters and how we can learn to be better at it.How to know how 'good' you are at EI and the EQ-i model.Resources mentioned during the podcast:Contact details: David Cory and The Emotional Intelligence Training CompanyTop 10 Skills needed in the workplace for 2020 according to the World Economic ForumEQ-i 2.0 model of Emotional IntelligenceBook: The Marshmallow Test – Mastering Self-Control by Walter MischelStress performance curve as per the Yerkes-Dodson LawThe Serenity PrayerBook: Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.Positive Psychology by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.Book: Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E.P. Seligman Ph.D.Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.TED Talk (video) Developing a Growth Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.Harvard Longevity StudyBook: The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. PosnerBook: The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success by Steven J. Stein and Howard E. BookEmotional Quotient InventoryBook: Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan DavidBook: Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy CuddySelf-Regard ChallengeCo-Active Leadership ProgramQuote: “The goal is to be a better leader or to be a more effective parent or to be better at whatever it is that you wanna do. EQ can help you do that.”CoachMe Vancouver. Listen. Connect. Thrive.

Willkommen zu einer neuen Interview-Episode mit Bastian Yotta aus LA. Heute erfahren wir die wahre Story von Bastian. Wir sprechen über seinen raketenhaften Aufstieg und den Fall bis zum Obdachlosen mit Suizidgedanken. Außerdem erfahren wir, wie es Yotta geschafft erneut alles von 0 an aufzubauen und heute sein Leben in Freiheit und Unabhängigkeit leben kann. Kommentiert gerne in unserer Facebook Gruppe was eure größten Learnings aus dieser Folge waren :) Yotta auf Insta Folgen: https://www.instagram.com/yotta_life/ Buchtipp: Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment Unterstütze jetzt The ChainlessLIFE und hilf dabei den Podcast werbefrei und qualitativ weiterzuführen. Support-Link: https://chainlesslife.com/podcast-spende Ich freue mich immer über ein Feedback. Schreib mir deine Meinung in unsere Facebookgruppe. Wenn dir die Folge gefallen hat, freue ich mich über eine 5-Sterne-Bewertung, einen Kommentar bei iTunes und natürlich einem Abo! Damit hilfst du uns den Podcast noch besser und bekannter zu machen. Kooperationsanfragen gerne an: info@chainlesslife.com ChainlessLIFE Plattform Die Gruppe für Querdenker + solche die es werden wollen | ChainlessLIFE™ Instagram YouTube 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:30 Wie sind wir in Kontakt gekommen 00:03:00 Wie ist der Name entstanden? 00:05:10 Gesetz der Anziehung 00:05:30 Was ist hinter den Kulissen los? 00:06:17 Verhaftet an der Grenze 00:08:00 Copy and Paste in den Medien 00:13:39 Hass / Liebe 00:15:12 Wie bist du obdachlos geworden? 00:18:20 Der Weg nach LA 00:20:44 Das Leben ist ein Buffet 00:28:00 Yotta's Beziehungen und persönliche Schicksalsschläge 00:32:30 Neubeginn 00:34:10 Dschungelcamp 00:38:10 Wer inspiriert dich am meistens? 00:39:11 aus den Fehlern lernen 00:41:11 Welche Bedeutung hat deine Kette? 00:41:45 Was ist 2019 das beste Investment? 00:46:05 Ausblick 00:47:50 Wie würdest du deine Kinder aufziehen? 00:49:57 Reframing 00:55:00 Fortschritt und Wachstum 00:58:58 Outro

Was macht mich wirklich glücklich und zufrieden? Auch wenn es viele Bücher versprechen: es gibt keinen goldenen Weg und keine Formel zum Glück, weil ein zufriedenes und glückliches Leben individuell ist. Finden Sie mit Hilfe von Journaling, einer bestimmten Art des Tagebuchschreibens, heraus, was Ihnen gut tut, um daraus Gewohnheiten aufzubauen, die mehr davon in Ihr Leben holen. Diese Methode beruht auf Erkenntnissen der Positiven Psychologie und den Neurowissenschaften und ist unkompliziert und kurzweilig: zielgerichtete Tagebucheinträge führen zu mehr Achtsamkeit und Dankbarkeit, für das, was bereits in Ihrem Leben ist. Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg und zu einem zufriedenen und glücklichen Leben liegt dabei in der täglichen Routine. Mit dem richtigen Fokus reichen bereits sechs Minuten pro Tag der Reflexion aus, um langfristig Ihr Wohlbefinden zu steigern. Erfahren Sie in dieser Folge: Was ist das Besondere an Journaling?Warum wir unbewusst im negativen Fokus sind?Welche Schlüsselroutine führt zu einem langfristig zufriedenen und glücklichen Leben?Was hat dies mit Führung zu tun?Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit, lassen Sie sich von dieser Folge inspirieren und nutzen Sie konkrete Impulse in dem für Sie bereit gestellten Download.Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Freude. Dorothe Bergler & Lutz Penzel Weitere Links: Download: 6 Minuten und 6 Fragen pro Tagführen bewegt - Seminare, die wirken: www.fuehren-bewegt.de/UnternehmerZeit https://www.fuehren-bewegt.de/seminare/unternehmerzeit/ Unternehmerberatung: www.lumar.gmbhVision Quest: www.dorothe-bergler.de Literatur Journaling: z. B. Das 6-Minuten-Tagebuch von Dominik Spenst, Rowohlt Verlag.Studien zu Dankbarkeit und Journaling:Emmons, Robert A./McCullough, Michael E. (2003): Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimantal Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life, in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Ausg. 84Seligman, Martin E.P. et al (2005): Positive Psychology Progress. Empirical Validationof Interventions, in: American Psychologist, Ausg. 60Seligmann, Martin E.P. (2009): Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting FullfilmentBad is stronger than good: Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5, 323-370.Haidt, Jonathan (2009): The Happiness Hypothesis. Putting Ancient Wisdom and Philosophy to the Test of Modern Science

Today's guest is potential psychologist Ellen Jackson.Ellen is the former Chair of the Australian Psychological Society - Ballarat Branch. Currently she is a Consultant Workplace Psychologist with clients Australia wide.She is the founder of the Potential Psychology Podcast and is also and experienced Executive Coach, Trainer, Presenter and FacilitatorEllen shares some super useful insights about the importance of maintaining a mental health baseline through Mindfulness, exercise, diet and sleep (MEDS) and how to overcome the negativity bias that comes so naturally to most people.If you would like to take Ellen's diagnostic test to understand more about yourself, here is the link.VIA Survey - http://potential.pro.viasurvey.orgOr you can find out more about Ellen here:website - potential.com.aupodcast potential.com.au/podcastThe books recommended by Ellen in the show are:Authentic Happiness:Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin SeligmanFlourish:A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Martin SeligmanMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol DweckPursuing the Good Life: 100 Reflections on Positive Psychology by Christopher PetersonThe Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn AchorAdditional resources mentioned.Shawn Achor's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work?language=enDr Sarah McKay's TED Talk on napping - http://yourbrainhealth.com.au/my-tedx-talk-indulge-your-neurobiology/

This Episode’s Focus on Strengths < Today’s episode features Michelle McQuaid, the author of “Your Strengths Blueprint: How to be Engaged, Energized, and Happy at Work.” During this engaging interview, Lisa Cummings chats with Michelle about her personal experience using her unique Strengths. Michelle shares practical examples about how she made huge changes not only at work, but also throughout every aspect of her life. Today, Michelle is flourishing and providing guidance to others via her books, coaching, training, and through her annual Strengths Challenge.  In 2016, the strengths challenge is September 6 – 12, and we hope you'll join the next one! If you are interested in adding new tools to your Strengths toolbox, then this is the episode for you! Listen for several tips and tools to improve your work and home life, and perhaps learn a Dr. Seuss rhyme along the way.   Michelle and Lisa’s Strengths Michelle’s VIA Character Strengths: Creativity, Hope, Love, Love of Learning, Perseverance Lisa’s VIA Character Strengths: Creativity, Humor, Curiosity, Hope, and Zest Michelle’s StrengthsFinder Talents: Strategic, Learner, Maximizer, Achiever, Activator Lisa’s StrengthsFinder Talents: Strategic, Maximizer, Positivity, Individualization, Woo   What You’ll Learn In This Episode Michelle was in an executive role. She had achieved her career goals, and everything looked great on paper. However, she had a nagging, unhappy feeling about work, and she found herself dragging her feet into work each day. One day, she was watching a popular tv show, and saw a segment on “positive psychology.” This segment would forever change her life. Michelle found one of Martin Seligman’s books. He’s the guru in the field of positive psychology. As she read (and later studied directly with Seligman), she realized that our goal should be to bring out the best in ourselves and others more consistently. The more we use our strengths in our jobs, the more engaging, energizing, and fulfilling our lives can be. Michelle started with the free VIA Survey, and found that her #1 trait was Curiosity. That led to her Ah Ha moment – the reason she was unhappy was because she wasn’t learning anything at work any more. In an effort to fulfill he need to learn new things, she implemented this plan: Read one new thing about positive psychology each day for 10 minutes. Michelle found that this exercise had a positive ripple effect throughout the rest of her day. It shifted how she felt at work. Each Friday, she emailed her boss 3 things she had learned through her reading that week. Later, she found out that he had been forwarding her emails to other people. At her 9 month review, he noted that the company hadn’t been using her strengths as effectively as they could be, and asked if she’d like to teach these ideas to others. This gave her a chance to put her strengths to work every day. The moments that people were able to actually see her strengths led to new career opportunities. In essence, Michelle ended up crafting her new career path. VIA is a a system that “diagnoses" the best in people. It’s a list of 24 character strengths that are consistent across cultures and history. The goal is to focus on the top 5 character strengths that light you up the most. Because we are affected by situations around us, Michelle recommends taking the survey every year. If there is a character strength you want to move up the list, there are methods to follow (but Michelle notes that it should only be because it’s something you value, not because society desires it). Here are 4 steps: Determine which strength you want to build Harness the natural part in your brain to create new habits (good or bad). Make sure you have some cue to work on that strength each day. For example, putting a book on your keyboard for the next day, or listen to a recording about this strength each day on your way to work. Try and use that strength when you are in a state of flow (when you can focus) Reward yourself each time you work on this new habit; it needs to be something you really want. For example, have a cup of coffee after your 10 minutes are up. Check out the resources below, because Michelle offers a free e-book on her website to help you be in your zone of greatness. It’s an excellent aide to improving yourself and creating new habits. Tool: Appreciative inquiry It’s a strengths-based approach to change, where you build on things that are working well. There is a positive effect on the company and the team. Spend 80% of your time on your strengths, and 20% on our weaknesses. You want commitment not compliance. Be realistic about how to get the best return on investment.   Resources of the Episode Here are ways to reach Michelle: Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Your Strengths Blueprint: How to be Engaged, Energized, and Happy at Work by Michelle McQuaid and Erin Lawn What Good is Positive Business? By Robert Dauman and Michelle McQuaid Books of Interest by Martin E.P. Seligman: Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification (by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman) Michelle's Article with Shane Lopez. Take the free Character Survey from VIA Institute on Character. Michelle’s eBook resource: Can You Do More of What You Do Best? Learn more and register for the Annual Strengths Challenge, which is September 6 – 12, 2016.   Subscribe To subscribe and review, here are your links for listening in iTunes and Stitcher Radio. You can also stream any episode right from the website. Subscribing is a great way to never miss an episode. Let the app notify you each week when the latest episode gets published.   StrengthsFinder Mini-Course For Managers If you’re a people-manager and you want to sharpen your strengths based support, come join our monthly mini-course. We don’t charge for this because we want to help you keep the StrengthsFinder momentum going. Teams who receive strengths feedback have 8.9% greater profitability. Yowza! Sounds like a great reason to join. Source:  Asplund, J., & Blacksmith, N. “Strengthening Your Company’s Performance.” Gallup Business Journal.   Go Live Your Talents Remember, using your strengths every day at work makes you a stronger performer. If you’re always focused on fixing your team’s weaknesses, you’re choosing the path of most resistance. Go claim your talents and share them with the world!  

Robin Marantz Henig, the author of nine books, writes about science and medicine for The New York Times Magazine. “I have my moments of thinking, ‘Well, why is this still so hard? Why do I still have to prove myself after all this time?’ If I were in a different field, or if I were even on a staff, I’d have a title that gave me more respect. I still have to wait just as long as any other writer to get any kind of response to a pitch. I still have to pitch. Nothing is automatic, even after all these years of working at this.” Thanks to MailChimp, Johnson & Johnson, and Audible. Show Notes: @robinhenig robinhenig.com Henig on Longform [2:00] "The Mastermind" (Evan Ratliff • The Atavist Magazine • Mar 2016) [06:00] Vaginal Politics (Quadrangle Books • 1972) [12:00] Writer’s Market 2016: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published (Robert Lee Brewer • Writer’s Digest Books • 2015) [17:00] The Longform Guide to Nurses [16:00] The Myth of Senility: The Truth About the Brain and Aging (Anchor Press • 1981) [18:00] Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment (Martin Seligman • Free Press • 2002) [19:00] "AIDS: A New Disease’s Deadly Odyssey" (New York Times Magazine • Feb 1983) [20:00] "The Deadly Spread of AIDS" (Claudia Wallis • Time • Sep 1982) [sub req'd] [23:00] "The Genome in Black and White (and Gray)" (New York Times Magazine • Oct 2004) [27:00] "Racing With Sam" (New York Times Magazine • Jan 2005) [30:00] "A Life-or-Death Situation" (New York Times Magazine • Jul 2013) [32:00] "The Last Day of Her Life" (New York Times Magazine • May 2015) [36:00] "The Mysteries of Miscarriage" (Washington Post • Jul 1990) [36:00] "If ‘Modern Bride’ Is a Has-Been, What Does That Make Me?" (Slate • Oct 2009) [40:-0] "Visible Bra Straps" (USA Today • Jun 1998) [41:00] "What Is It About 20-Somethings?" (New York Times Magazine • Aug 2010) [41:00] Twentysomething: Why Do Young Adults Seem Stuck? (with Samantha Henig • Hudson Street Press • 2012) [43:00] "Semi-Charmed Life" (Nathan Heller • New Yorker • Jan 2013) [47:00] "If You Have Dementia, Can You Hasten Death As You Wished?" (Shots • Feb 2015) [52:00] "Crossing Over: How Science Is Redefining Life and Death" (National Geographic • Apr 2016)

Americans are addicted to happiness. When we’re not popping pills, we leaf through scientific studies that take for granted our quest for happiness, or read self-help books by everyone from armchair philosophers and clinical psychologists to the Dalai Lama on how to achieve a trouble-free life:Stumbling on Happiness; Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential.