The topic of happiness seems to be the in subject for this month. I'm reading about it on business and self improvement blogs, seeing it in business and consumer magazines for women, and talk show hosts are picking up the idea.
Maybe it has something to do with the economy which so many find depressing – including myself. There must be the notion that people are ready to target in on a more positive approach to living.
Positive psychology is making a big footprint with the science of happiness and there are lessons which can benefit us. Much of its origins had to do with companies wanting to maintain a positive culture for more productive employees and satisfied customers as well as for individual patients. The primary tenets work for both.
One guideline that works well is focusing on your fundamental character strengths, especially when life really starts looking bleak. For instance if your strengths include being generous and optimistic don't contribute to conversations that are complaining. Find something positive to say. When people talk about being downsized and out of a job, I respond by commenting on how many of those people started their own business working out of their home, working on and off the Internet, and earning ,
The research has demonstrated may times that optimism and cheerfulness do have a measurable effect on your bottom line, whether the bottom line is your business or your health. Apparently, happiness is like a muscle; you have to learn how to use it and use it you must or you lose it.
Some of you may remember psychologist Abraham Maslow and his pseudo-scientific career coaching books that were quoted for decades. Positive psychology is a little bit different. There is actually research including brain-scanning technology.
Another important tenet of positive psychology is that being optimistic keeps me more open to change and that translates to possible creative moments. That's when I do my best writing and arrive at some of my best ideas for myself and my clients.
Do you know what makes you happy? Is being happy or being positive something you can commit to? Tell us your story. Scroll down to comments and start typing.
To the success of your well balanced life.
Ruthan Brodsky
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