Zone Positive

The happiest people have strong relationships in their lives. http://tinyurl.com/29gseclb

Relationships are paramount to  our survival and our well-being http://tinyurl.com/y9k2adt

How to get along with a workplace bully (wish I had read this years ago) http://tinyurl.com/2bsnxt9

Is resilience as easy as ABC..DE? Good article on a  way of coping with adversity: http://tinyurl.com/24nqpse

What helps when adversity hits? Some good suggestions in this article http://tinyurl.com/yhbtfmz

Resiliency skills for a lifetime of ups and downs. Good article here http://tinyurl.com/26utz7u

What are your top 5 character strengths- find out http://tinyurl.com/26ou4me

How are you using your top character strengths- simple exercise to find out http://tinyurl.com/2cnsj4e

Using your strengths in activities you enjoy (and those you hate) http://tinyurl.com/2a286ph

The case for a more balanced approach to clinical assessment which focuses as much on strength as it does on weakness http://tinyurl.com/27gvz5y

Use your strengths–enjoy your  job more and be more productive at your job http://tinyurl.com/y9czjcq

Helping children get into a state where they are receptive to learning-using their strengths in school http://tinyurl.com/284t3ss

Good book on building/using  resilience in your life: http://tinyurl.com/2a3yswe

This book made a lot of sense to me- cognitive approach to resilience  http://tinyurl.com/28×2293

Karen Reivich– an expert in resilience- and hilarious as a teacher. Here’s her book: http://tinyurl.com/2e6gya9

Meaning in work vs. meaning at work—there’s a big difference. Try this exercise http://tinyurl.com/24uot85

Do you see opportunities or only  limitations in your future? Try this exercise http://tinyurl.com/2chbkdr     

Do you have a job, a career, or a calling? Try this exercise for more insight http://tinyurl.com/2beyv74

Do you have these resilience characteristics? Find out-Check out this exercise http://tinyurl.com/2798p6d

Jumping to conclusions and other sink holes. Which of these undermine your resilience http://tinyurl.com/25r3×9o

Some jerk cut you off on the highway- how do you react to this and other adversities. Resilience exercise: http://tinyurl.com/2cuvf75

Greetings- and welcome to the launch of my new blog: Enter Positive Psychology.  I’ll explain the title in a bit but first let me talk about the purpose behind this blog.  I returned to school a few years back to get a masters degree in applied positive psychology, the study of well-being and life satisfaction.  The key word here is “applied”. I am not a researcher, nor do I consider myself an academic.  My interest in this field has to do with applying the principles – all the “stuff” that has been studied and reported on—in my life.  That’s why I went back to school.  I want to “kick the tires”- see if and how the theories work.  Then I want to pass along these learning’s to others—really anyone who has a similar interest in learning and using positive psychology—either personally or professionally (or both).    

I think I’m a good candidate for the purpose and goals behind this relatively new science.  While I have a good life, I also believe that I could be doing more. And, while I’m a generally happy person, I also have my share of ups and downs—mostly minor events with a few upheavals thrown in now and then.  But here again, I think I could be happier.

I’d like to be less judgmental

I’d like to express gratitude and forgiveness more genuinely

I would like more quality relationships in my life.

I’d like to improve the relationships that I have- especially with my siblings

I want to continue personal development—learning and experiencing new things- before my brain starts to fizzle.

I’d like an avocation—something outside of work that could really put me into a state of “flow”

I’d like to switch my brain to the off position—and just relax more often than I do.

I’d like to expand my sphere of giving beyond my current nucleus (basically my family).

So this is where positive psychology enters the picture for me (thus helping to explain the title of my blog).  Can the theories behind character strengths, positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and purpose – and the other principles of positive psychology—help me accomplish some or all of these things?  And in the end, will I be happier?  Will I lead a more flourishing life?

Well, that’s what we shall see.

Zippy is happy

For many years traditional psychology has focused on us as individuals. It has all been about us!  Yet one of the most consistent findings from Positive Psychology is that other people matter.  Extroverts report being significantly happier than introverts.  Our willingness to trust others drives our ability to forge meaningful relationships and succeed in teams and in love.  How trusting are you of your friends and your colleagues?  What’s holding you back?  Our course in Positive Relationships probe these questions and more.

This is one of the foundation theories of Positive Psychology. Learn why strengths matter—and how they operate as one of the basic drivers of well-being.  You will come to understand your own character strengths and how to apply these gifts towards a more flourishing and fulfilling life.