Very Happy Phil

Positive emotions benefit us in a number of ways! I will give you an example; “Positive emotions:
(i) broaden people’s attention and thinking;
(ii) undo lingering negative emotional arousal;
(iii) fuel psychological resilience;
(iv) build consequential personal resources;
(v) trigger upward spirals towards greater well-being in the future; and
(vi) seed human flourishing.”
-Dr Barbara L. Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina.

Positive emotion is important in work, relationships and health. I will give you an example; Dr Fredrickson found the following discovery. Four. That’s the magic number. For optimal well being we need 4 positives to every 1 negative (emotions/ experiences/ events). Whether it is discussions or actions, compliments or activities.

“At three levels of analysis—for flourishing individuals, flourishing marriages and flourishing business teams—we find positivity ratios above 3 : 1.”
- Dr Barbara L. Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina.

Your task this week. Starting today, include at least 4 positives for every 1 negative; whether it is in your emails or discussions or your actions or thoughts.

For more ideas and information on Happy (Positive) Activity Training see; http://www.veryhappyphil.com/content/happy-people-spend-time-doing-happy...

Here are a few of my favourite quotes which inspire me;

“The broaden-and-build theory underscores the ways in which positive emotions are essential elements of optimal functioning, and therefore an essential topic within the science of well-being. People should cultivate positive emotions in their own lives and in the lives of those around them, not just because doing so makes them feel good in the moment, but also because doing so transforms people for the better and sets them on paths toward flourishing and healthy longevity.”
Dr Barbara L. Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina.

“The broaden-and-build theory describes the form and function of a subset of positive emotions, including joy, interest, contentment and love. A key proposition is that these positive emotions broaden an individual’s momentary thought–action repertoire: joy sparks the urge to play, interest sparks the urge to explore, contentment sparks the urge to savour and integrate, and love sparks a recurring cycle of each of these urges within safe, close relationships. The broadened mindsets arising from these positive emotions are contrasted to the narrowed mindsets sparked by many negative emotions (i.e. specific action tendencies, such as attack or flee). A second key proposition concerns the consequences of these broadened mindsets: by broadening an individual’s momentary thought–action repertoire—whether through play, exploration or similar activities—positive emotions promote discovery of novel and creative actions, ideas and social bonds, which in turn build that individual’s personal resources; ranging from physical and intellectual resources, to social and psychological resources. Importantly, these resources function as reserves that can be drawn on later to improve the odds of successful coping and survival.”
- Dr Barbara L. Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina

Have a happy POSITIVE 3:1 week!

Keep positive!

Phil McNally
Author & Positive Psychology Coach

Remember,
“Happy people, couples and companies have a 4:1 positive: negative ratio!”

– Phil McNally, Author & Positive Psychology Coach

PS Get a coaching session from me. I’m great. Or money back. Guaranteed!

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-Deputy Head Teacher, Kemnay Primary School

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