Positive Psychology and Authentic Happiness

The good news is yes, we can learn to be happier. Joining host Dennis McCuistion to talk about what positive psychology is and how to achieve truly authentic happiness are:

• Amy Blankson – Cofounder GoodThink, Author: The Future of Happiness,
• Michael Cofield, PhD, APBB – Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology, Author The Family Business, Road Map to Peace of Mind, and
• James Olan Hutcheson – Founder ReGENERATION Partners, consultant to family owned businesses.

The traditional model of psychology Pathogenesis, studied illness, disease or dysfunction, in other words what didn’t work, and focused on relieving human suffering.

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing. It encourages people to study the strengths and virtues that enable individuals to thrive and the factors that cause or support higher levels of well-being and health.

Left to Right: James Olan Hutcheson, Amy Blankson, and Michael Cofield, PhD, APBB

This model was started in part by Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology and, author of several best-selling books including of Authentic Happiness, Flourish, and Learned Optimism, among others.

Positive psychology is not about positive mental attitude. It is about attaining authentic happiness and keeping it over the long term. It is about flourishing and factors in that about 50% of your disposition is genetic, 10% may come from success, looks, gender, and the 40% solution is about attitude and practices.

Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential says, “Happiness is the joy one feels striving for one’s potential”. We actually can change the lens of how we view our circumstances and increase our happiness.

So where do we start on the road to more authentic happiness and making happiness a habit? Our experts tell us, practice, starting with gratitude; every evening before bed, write down 3 things you are grateful for and why. You just might change your life.

Considering that the U.S. ranks 18th on the most recent United Nation’s World Happiness Report and our happiness levels in several areas may in fact be falling, practicing to be happier may be a very good idea.On the survey, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland occupy the top five places on the happiness scale, as they have in previous years (though in slightly different orders).

The report emphasizes how happiness isn’t necessarily linked to economic growth and shows how six main factors affect well-being with only one of those strictly economic (GDP per capita), yet, every educational and business outcome rises if we are more optimistic and happy.

Economist Jeffrey Sachs, one of the authors of the study, blamed social factors for the decline in happiness. The other five social factors: life expectancy, social support, freedom to make choices, the generosity of people around you, and perceived corruption levels.

Join us to change your life , be happier and how to embrace the greatest predictor of long term happiness for yourself.

And once again we are honored to be underwritten by The Hatton W. Sumner’s Foundation, Inc. The McCuistion Program, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization does not receive any KERA pledge dollars, PBS funds or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 28 years comes from grantors and viewers just like you. So thank you for your continued support.

Be sure to watch more McCuistion TV programs on our website, www.McCuistionTV.com.

We appreciate you,

Niki McCuistion, CSP
Co-founder/ Executive Producer
Certified Speaker, Coach, Consultant
Strategist in organizational culture
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
(214) 394-6794
www.nikimccuistion.com | www.womenwealthandgiving.com
| www.therootsofwar.com | www.perspectivesmatter.com

Many thanks for your continued support!

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