A day in the life of happiness, positivity and optimism...
A day with Dr Happy (Dr Tim Sharp)
I spent a full day workshop in the presence of a man whom I have exceptional respect for as a leading mind and facilitator of positive psychology. Whilst I am study social work and not psychology my day with Dr Tim showed how the principals of positive psychology are available to professionals across many different professional spaces. The following is a reflection on my key learning's and epiphanies from the workshop.
From this workshop I had the opportunity to look at my views and perceptions of positive psychology and happiness in everyday life. This was really beneficial and Dr Tim went through common myths that exist around what the happiness movement is pursuing and clarified the actual focus of the movement. In my own journey personally and professionally I have struggled with establishing a base line of what is ‘normal’ for me. Today’s workshop helped me in developing a working concept of happiness as a lived experience and the key elements of that concept were:
1. Happiness runs hand in hand with optimism on a scale – the more optimistic you are the more happiness you will experience.
2. The absence of ill health, distress and disorder does not necessarily equate to happiness.
3. True optimism is about looking for the good, facing up to the negative responsibly and focusing more on the opportunities and solutions.
4. The ‘diagnosis’ of a positive person is; capacity, future orientation, wellbeing, situational benefactors and a sense of mission.
5. A growth mindset is essential to maintaining happiness despite the challenges that may arise.
6. Optimism and the resulting happiness can be trait or learned & sit on a scale relevant to how often you work that muscle/skill.
7. Rather than thinking ‘am I am positive thinker’ filter your observations of your thoughts as to their ‘helpfulness’ and whether they are ‘constructive’.
8. Optimum happiness is an approximate ratio of 3:1 (positive emotions to negative emotions)
9. Emotions are not exclusively good or bad, they all have a purpose and whilst they are helpful they are relevant and purposeful. It’s when they overstay their usefulness that they might need addressing.
10. There are many simple tools and resources that can assist in developing greater awareness and optimism.
In addition to developing a working framework for understanding happiness in everyday life, I was able to add a considerable number of resources to my professional tool box to creating more opportunity for optimism and happiness in my own personal and professional life as well as strategies and resources for my professional practice. Simple and accessible strategies that insights that will inform my interaction with colleagues and clients into the future.
I now have greater insight into my potency in creating and positive or negative environment for myself and those around me.
The workshop also confirmed for my the importance of practicing what I preach and demonstrating that positive psychology and happiness are acts of responsibility, honesty, realism and potential rather than an airy fairy concept of unattainable euphoria.
I now feel more confidence in applying the strategies that Dr Tim referred to as a daily part of my practice.
I am also better informed on the benefits of positive psychology and strengths based practice and how I will incorporate these concepts and principals into my professional experience.
I have a greater understanding of how positive psychology inspires innovation, creativity, positivity, better problem solving, increased effective collaboration, increase wellness and greater engagement. Furthermore I recognise the potential of my work as a social worker and the benefits that such an inspired environment have for the health of staff and the success for clients.
I am renewed in my commitment to awareness of my presence/vibe as a professional and how this can influence my successes, my failures, my relationships and my experience.
I also feel more empowered to be the ‘contagion’ in my various environments, the person that lives positive, realistic optimism and inspires that culture.
