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

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

Receive a 25% discount on our courses when you purchase all  lessons today.

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

Don’t we all want to be happy – and live a fulfilled and contented life? But why then do many of us spend much of our time being unhappy and discontented?  Why do we complain about what we don’t have more often than giving thanks for what we do have?   Do you find yourself holding on to grudges?  Do we really believe that happiness and contentment are just around the corner if only we could get there? If only we could get even?  Try a dose of gratitude and forgiveness—you will be amazed at how powerful a medicine these can be especially when you practice offering them every day.  This course will introduce you to the simple yet complex theories behind gratitude and forgiveness.

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.