Postive Psychology

Using positive psychology can change your entire outlook on life! We often think that psychology is best left to psychologists and that if our lives and relations with others are messed up, we'd better see a psychologist to straighten it out. Some people feel that there's a stigma attached to seeing a psychologist, or that we can't afford this luxury service, so we don't go. We continue on, just the way we are, still unhappy with what we believe is a messed up existence.

Very often, such situations are fixable, all on our own. What's the secret? Apply the simple concept of positive psychology to your life and your dealings with others. It's simply a matter of switching gears with your emotional responses and thinking before you speak. Let's see just how easy and rewarding this self-help strategy can be.

People who operate on a negative attitude are using a self defeating strategy. It's the old story of the glass being half full or half empty. A negative attitude always produces a negative outcome as well as a negative outlook on life. Positive psychology is a technique whereby you look for the better outcome, giving yourself and others the benefit of the doubt. If you expect the worst, you'll usually find it.

Let's look at one example which demonstrates the concept of positive psychology. Your child drops a platter of fancy hors' d oeuvres, tripping over the dog lying on the kitchen floor. You spent all day creating these fancy treats. With a negative psychology, you might come unglued, chastising your child for clumsiness, followed by a declaration that your party is now ruined.

What's the outcome? Your child feels bad and guilty, may start crying or may resent you. You're in a big tizzy. Over what? Your guests will still arrive and presumably you'll pull yourself together and put on a good face. You'll pull out a bag of chips, and maybe a box of store-bought chicken wings from the freezer and hastily whip up some dip. The party goes on and everyone lives through this catastrophe.

Now let's look and see how applying positive psychology can create an entirely different outcome. Your kid still trips over the dog, your appetizers are history. You tell your child not to worry about it. It's done, too bad. We'll make them again. Put that rascal dog out. Your child isn't crying or angry. Replace your masterpiece appetizers as possible. When your guests arrive, let them know why Rover's in the doghouse – make a joke of it. Believe me, they'll laugh too. Been there, done that.

You can see that using positive psychology is easy and turns the outcome into one where there's no conflict or unhappiness. Isn't that what we all want? Try it, you'll like it!