This article discusses how overcoming setbacks and maintaining hope is essential for achieving personal goals. It introduces Hope Theory by Charles Snyder, emphasising the importance of maintaining a positive outlook (agency) and finding multiple methods (pathways) to achieve objectives. The feeling of hope is compared to physical sensations like b…

At the 2024 World Happiness Summit in London, Dr. Arthur Brooks delivered an insightful speech, urging a redefinition of happiness beyond fleeting pleasure to a state of meaningful satisfaction involving enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. He emphasized the dangers of focusing solely on pleasure, highlighted the role of the human brain's componen…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The text discusses the influence of dopamine and storytelling on human behavior, particularly in relation to digital platforms and technology. It explores how the pursuit of new experiences and the release of dopamine can be manipulated by companies like Amazon and Netflix to capture attention and drive consumer behavior. The text also touches on t…

The text discusses loneliness and its various aspects. It mentions different perspectives on loneliness, including its potential for personal growth and its negative impact on health. The author explores the idea of self-worth and how some individuals punish themselves by allowing negative influences into their lives. They touch on the historical a…

Difficult conversations are emotionally charged and require empathy. Mind reading should be avoided as it leads to misunderstandings. Allowing time for venting helps release emotional tension and gain clarity. Practicing mindfulness and active listening helps stay centered and understand the other person's perspective. Avoid giving solutions and in…

The Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAP) course appeals to a diverse range of individuals and professionals in coaching, education, healthcare, and therapy. Unlike traditional degrees, MAP encourages students to apply positive psychology theories to their daily lives, gaining practical insights. The course covers topics such as hope, resilie…

In this episode, I reflect on some of the themes from episode 3 Steve Bartlett Diary of a CEO. These include the benefits of expressing thoughts and emotions in words to reduce stress and improve well-being. Concerns about sleep habits and the existence of "short sleepers" who function well on minimal sleep. Why your choice of what you wear each da…

This article highlights the practice of kindness and its benefits in promoting happiness and wellbeing, as explored in Buckinghamshire New University's Applied Positive Psychology course. While students engaging in acts of kindness found positive experiences, the article also discusses potential downsides of kindness including undermining the recip…

During midlife, individuals often experience a phase of reflection and evaluation, questioning their accomplishments and considering changes. This can be accompanied by feelings of uncertainty and a desire for a sense of meaning and purpose. Developmental psychology explains this as a need to connect to something greater and nurture future generati…

I’d like to introduce you to Jo Sunshine, a very aptly named artist. In my opinion, she is a role model for what the theory of positive psychology looks like when applied to the everyday life of a person. Her spirit shines through her artwork and in her attitude to life, despite the challenges she has had to face and overcome. She demonstrates opti…

The world moves so quickly. It’s not surprising that our minds and bodies can sometimes struggle to keep up. Evolution takes a long time. A really long time. We often forget because our brains are wonderfully plastic and constantly adapting but some parts still remember the stone ages like it was yesterday!…

So here is my second episode of Inspired by Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett and this time I'm giving Steven's podcast the full and correct title. Steven starts his second episode by announcing that his first episode went to number one in the podcast chart. He was very surprised I wasn't. It was informative and entertaining, an equal measure and…

The author contemplates the concept of work and its significance in our lives. They reflect on the historical transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to the advent of work in ancient civilizations and the industrial revolution. They question why we dedicate a significant portion of our lives to work and propose that true fulfillment lies in mea…

The author discusses their house working strategy of listening to podcasts or music while doing chores to make the tasks more enjoyable and manageable. They stumbled upon Steven Bartlett's podcast and decided to start from the first episode, intrigued by his journey from a university dropout to a successful CEO. They reflect on the principles of po…

A happiness group is a gathering where individuals discuss topics related to their day-to-day happiness, such as definitions of happiness, goal accomplishment, habits, mindfulness, and personal values. It provides a space to reflect on what one truly values and how it can serve as motivation for positive change. The VIA Character Strengths survey, …

Positive psychology is a field that explores how people can live their best lives, going beyond simple notions of always being positive. It encompasses various schools of thought and has helped the author gain a new perspective on their past and future. The author shares valuable lessons they've learned, such as the transformative power of learning…