What is positive psychology?
The International Positive Psychology Association website, offers this definition:
“Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what enables individuals and communities to thrive” and positive psychology is based onresearch into what causes happiness and well-being, and enables people to flourish. Positive psychology interventions can also build resilience, resourcefulness and strengths, leading to self-mastery and success in a variety of realms (Seligman, 2011). Having a “growth mindset” is one aspect of Positive Psychology and also contributes to individuals achieving more success and accomplishments than people with a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset turns downward, rift with self-defeatist beliefs, for example,that you must be born with a certain talent and opting not to try something new or stretch into probably long-overdue personal growth, and self-doubt rarely elevates values and beliefs that support human flourishing. Having a growth mindset has a perspective that acknowledges what worked before, scaling the starting point and creating a practical plan that opens and creates a confident, brave client mind that also looks forward to possibility that meaningful change is possible. If you will, “seeing” it!
“Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts).”
—Carol Dweck, growth mindset pioneer and author of Mindset
Positive Psychology Coaching is not therapy.
Positive psychology also asks us to look forward and build solutions vs therapy which often asks us to look backwards often unproductively focused on our problems, what has not gone well and we cannot change what has already happened. Positive Psychology Coaching looks forward and into making positive change, working from strengths & what has worked in the past and gone well and felt great so that in the present, inspired awareness, confidence, and grit to continue to grow and make positive changes.
If we decide to work with positivity and develop a self-compassionate muscle (K.Neff), nurturing this skill just like we perhaps do if we’re forexample, watching our weight or reducing social media distractions. Research supports that our brains open up to positive possibilities and outcomes when we build solutions using our strengths. The positive effects are well documented that it is infinetely more enjoyable to integrate strengths vs trying to overcome our areas of weaknesses.
Never underestimate the fun factor either because when we’re enjoying ourselves in the process of making positive change, we’re much more likely to stick to sustaining that change.
