MONDAY BYTES – May 14, 2012
The guru of positive psychology, Martin Seligman explains there are three “flavors” or types of happiness. Not vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, but:
1. the Pleasant Life (we experience positive emotion: pleasure)
2. the Life of Engagement (we experience “flow” in our work or relationships—we become so engaged that time stops)
3. the Meaningful Life (we use our highest strengths in the service something larger than ourselves)
He unpacks and compares these in this terrific TED talk (well worth investing 23 minutes). Seligman offers exercises (“positive interventions”) we can use to enhance each of these three versions of happiness in our lives, and he also explains how each of these types of happiness plays out in terms of lasting satisfaction.
Challenge for the week: try one of Martin’s positive interventions.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—
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Dream big, Plan smart, Live well!
