Positive psychology, a new field of research into the good life, well-being, and happiness, provides a wealth of useful information for personal development and growth.

The new and rapidly growing field of Positive Psychology is shedding light on what makes us happy, the pursuit of happiness, and how we can lead more fulfilling, satisfying lives. For many years, the field of psychology concentrated on mental illness. Since Martin Seligman's landmark book, Authentic Happiness, this new and exciting branch of psychology is focusing on the good life, happiness, and well-being--what it is and how we can pursue the good life with greater success.

Popular psychology literature, often termed pop-psychology, reflects advice and suggestions based largely on anecdotal evidence and the beliefs of the individual author.

In contrast, the science of positive psychology investigates potential concepts with thorough and statistically sound experiments. Investigation results are subject to peer review and stringent standards. Because of this, recommendations and findings of positive psychology researchers are more likely to be helpful and useable.

Many of the concepts and ideas of pop-psychology may turn out to be validated by research and concepts once dismissed may turn out to be of great value.

Though not a psychologist by training, I am deeply interested in the information coming out of positive psychology research as it applies to personal development. The information in my weekly Blog, Good Life Tips, is drawn from readings and coursework of positive psychology. Many of my articles are based on concepts I've learned from my positive psychology studies.

We all know that some people are naturally happier than others. You probably know someone who seems to be happy most of the time, who bounces back from set-backs quickly, and is often looking for the bright side of situations. Research is showing us that we can all do things that move our natural level of happiness farther up the happiness scale. Perhaps forty percent of our total happiness opportunity is within our control--forty percent gives us lots of room to grow toward greater and more consistent happiness.

For example, try the Good Things activity for one week. Each evening before bedtime, recall three good things that happened to you that day. These don't have to be earth-shattering or dramatic events. Simple gratifying events such as finishing a report that was due, completing a household chore or repair, finding a good book to read from your library, having a satisfying meal, or just being alive all qualify as good things.

For good measure, savor each event. Let it roll around in your mind for a time, "tasting" its goodness and allowing the good feeling to embrace you. Research indicates this activity correlates with greater feelings of happiness. I feel better after doing this and I predict you will too.

For more of these direct and easy-to-integrate tips, follow my weekly Blog postings titled Good Life Tips.

Related Articles:

Dan Gilbert, Stumbling on Happiness

Kindness = Mental/Physical Health

More related material under Positive Psychology Tips and Tools in the index.

Here's the follow-up discussion on this article:

View all related messages

Post to this discussion

For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Jerry Lopper's Personal Development topic, please visit the Discussions page.