Good Life Tips: Your Very Best

Tips, advice, and pointers for living a happy life gleaned from the latest research of positive psychology.

The new and growing field of positive psychology offers good advice and tips to help you be happier, more fulfilled, and enjoy a good life.

Good Life Tip: You at Your Very Best

Recall a time in your life when you were at your very best. This may or may not be associated with high points in your life's achievements, but instead is a time when you displayed great strength of character. You'll recognize this time as one of great self pride.

For example, on my walks around the neighborhood, I will sometimes pick up and dispose of trash that I come across in a neighbor's yard. No one sees me that I'm aware of, and often I don't even know the neighbor, but I feel so proud of myself at the time. Reflecting on these times I realize that I can be generous and helpful without any external stimulus; just my own sense of responsibility and doing the right thing.

Jot down an example or two of you at your very best. Reflect on the character strengths you demonstrated and how you felt at the time. Remember, these may not be times of public achievement. Notice how you feel when thinking about the example(s) of you at your very best.

As your day unfolds look for opportunities to display these same character strengths and notice how that lifts your spirits.

Source: A Primer in Positive Psychology, Christopher Peterson