Positive Psychology is foremost about focus – about focusing on what’s right, what’s working, and what’s possible. It’s differentiated from much of the history of Psychology, which is the study of what’s wrong with us and the mental illness of human beings. There are three key ideas about Positive Psychology:
- First, Positive Psychology looks at what is right with people. It is about the science of well-being; identifying when we are at our best, meaning what maximizes our energy, productivity, performance and fulfillment. It investigates what’s right in business, schools, and relationships studying how we can be more satisfied and more engaged in life choices.
- Second, Positive Psychology is not the focus of the positive at the expense of the negative. Practitioners of positive psychology recognize negative emotions, failure, and problems as a natural and important aspect of life. They may look at those situations through a different lens perhaps; using a lens of learning to identify insights and to build on strengths.
- Third, Positive Psychology is a science and as such is concerned with evidence, measurement, and testing. Positive psychology is an applied science using research to create interventions that will improve schools, businesses, governments, and other aspects of individual and social life. It’s not Pollyanna positive thinking putting a smiley face on everything.
In my Thriving at Work coaching practice, I balance looking at what’s working and what’s not working, focus on the client’s strengths, and help clients leverage positive emotions as they are powerful motivators for change.