Positive Psychology

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Pitfalls to Achieving Goals

Failure to establish clear goals in the first place;
failure to divide goals into manageable units - bite sized pieces;
procrastination keeps you from taking decisive action;
fear of failure;
lack of self-confidence; and
lack of self-discipline.

You are the one who must bring about the results and outcomes you desire in life. Before you can do it successfully, you need to have a clear mental picture of your deepest desire - fame, fortune or happiness are vague concepts. Use your imagination and get specific.

What do you need to do every day to bring yourself closer to your ideal lifestyle? How can you be engaged and excited about your activities and have them generate value to you and your community?

Positive Psychology given credence by Academia:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Commentators on the subject Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, note that:

"The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present).

At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom.

At the group level, it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation,tolerance, and work ethic."