wisdom to win

 Wisdom to Win
search bar left
search bar right
 

Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and SuccessMartin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

 

Martin Seligman (1942- )

 

American psychologist (pictured right).

Founder of positive psychology based on what makes you happy and successful (see point 1)

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

 

Who influenced him?

 Humanistic psychologists like:Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success


 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

His most famous books are…

Authentic Happiness (2003) 

Flourish (2011) 

These discuss the principles of positive psychology.

 

What did he say about positive psychology and success?

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

1. Positive psychology

This describes how to achieve happiness and well-being and has three pillars:

  • positive emotions (like happiness, serenity, satisfaction and optimism) - see point 2.
  • positive traits (your virtues and abilities) - see point 3.
  • positive institutions (like democratic government and strong families that support the positive emotions and traits).

 

2. How to be happy

 

a) savouring and sharing

- the awareness and sharing of past and present pleasures.

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

b) relationships

Nurture your family and friendships, and do things for others.

 

c) use your strengths

(see point 3).

 

d) purpose

Do ,and believe, in something worthwhile, creative and absorbing.

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

e) self-support

  • congratulate yourself on your achievements.
  • think positively.
  • keep a gratitude diary (daily writing down three things that went well and why).

 

f) peace of mind 

This is achieved through:

  • quiet reflection. Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success
  • spiritual meaning (e.g. from religion).
  • work-life balance.
  • forgiveness.
  • support from others.

 

Seligman summarized these causes of peace and happiness in his PERMA theory:

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

Positive emotions

(happiness, serenity, satisfaction and optimism).

 

Engagement

(involvement in a positive experience)

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

Relationships

(being loved).

 

Meaning

(doing something worthwhile for others).

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

Accomplishment

(achieving something, however small, from determination, self-discipline and creativity).

 

Money doesn't contribute much to happiness!

 

3. Fully exploit your virtues and abilities

Seligman calls these your “signature strengths” and divides them into six categories:

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

a) wisdom and knowledge

  • love of learning, curiosity and creativity.
  • critical thinking.
  • self-knowledge.
  • perspective from experience.
  • emotional experience (getting on with others).

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

b) courage 

  • physical and moral courage.
  • integrity.
  • perseverance.
  • hard work.

Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success 

c) humanity and love

  • kindness.
  • love.
  • allowing yourself to be loved.

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

d) justice 

  • responsible citizenship.
  • duty.
  • fairness
  • leadership.

 Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success

e) temperance

  • self-control.
  • humility.
  • modesty.

 

f) transcendence (or spirituality)

  • spiritual fulfilment. Martin Seligman - Positive Psychology and Success
  • purpose and passion.
  • humour and optimism.
  • appreciation of beauty and excellence.
  • forgiveness and gratitude (counting your blessings).

 

Key quote on economics

The aim of wealth should not be to blindly produce a higher GDP but to produce more well-being.  

 

 Key quotes on happiness

Other people are the best antidote to the downs of life. 

The aim of positive psychology is to catalyze a change in psychology from a preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building the best qualities in life.

 

Key quote on love

Optimism helps love

Free Newsletter
Enter your name and e-mail address to receive our free newsletter with analysis of business issues and new business books

Quotes