Positive Psychology What is it Martin

Positive Psychology What is it ? © Martin Kašpar, 2010 1

Let´s start n n Positive psychology as a key to understanding why are people (un)happy Who am I ? © Martin Kašpar, 2010 2

Themes for discussion n What is positive psychology? Where can you attend any course and who is giving lessons? What kind of contribution is there waiting for you? © Martin Kašpar, 2010 3

What is positive psychology? n Why can be positive psychology a key to human happines? Abraham Maslow Karen Horney Aaron Antonovsky Father: Martin Seligman © Martin Kašpar, 2010 4

What is positive psychology? n Science, that works n origin in Humanistic psychology, which lacked scientific rigor & metamorphosed into the self-help/new age movement n Applying Positive Psychology enables us to appreciate and reinforce the existing strengths and virtues in both personal and organisation fields. This does not mean that we should avoid dealing with problems, but rather that we should deal with them from a positive and realistic perspective (Positive Leadership). © Martin Kašpar, 2010 5

What is positive psychology? n n self-help movement lacks substance by over promising & under delivering research has the substance, but lack the accessibility, few read academic peer reviewed research n “The objective of positive psychology is to unite the rigor of academic research with the accessibility of the self-help movement. ”. © Martin Kašpar, 2010 6

What is positive psychology? Goals – Positive Leadership n n n Create a culture that focuses on strengths of character Empower individuals, teams, and the organisation, while achieving business goals Experience a new and inspiring approach to work Appreciate and amplify what works at the personal, group, and organisational levels Emphasise successes and strengths as a method for achieving continuous organisational growth and success © Martin Kašpar, 2010 7

What is positive psychology? n n Researchers and practitioners have found that individuals utilizing its principles can enhance work and home life by: Accessing strengths that act as buffers against unfavorable circumstances. Balancing immediate personal needs with long-term goals. Developing a more resilient psychological immune system based on optimism and self esteem. © Martin Kašpar, 2010 8

Where can you attend any course and who is giving lessons? n $ 40, 000 a year to be a student of Harvard University or 1 Day course - $1195 +GST or 2 Days course - $1995 +GST in Richmond, Victoria, Australia or $ 820, June 7 - August 27, 2010 with Penn LPS Online Learning or. . . n or ask me for Harvard video lectures No. 1, 3 and 4 n all lectured by Dr. Tal Ben - Shahar n n - globally recognised as the world’s leading teacher of Positive Psychology, Harvard’s most popular teacher and leader of the Wharton Leadership Program © Martin Kašpar, 2010 9

Where can you attend any course and who is giving lessons? n n Dr. Ben-Shahar teaches the class because he would have wanted someone to teach him a class like this. He came to Harvard in 1992 as a computer science, major everything was going well “objectively”, except that he was unhappy. He switched to psychology & philosophy to find out how to become happier. Positive psychology´s impact of making Dr. Ben. Shahar happier drove him to become a teacher. © Martin Kašpar, 2010 10

Where can you attend any course and who is giving lessons? n n These lessons are about exploring the relatively new field of Positive Psychology as well as exploring ourselves. 1 st year in 2002 attended this course as a seminar – 8 students & 2 dropped out n 2 nd year 300+ n 3 rd year 850 students – largest course at Harvard © Martin Kašpar, 2010 11

What kind of contribution is there waiting for you? n n Tal Ben-Shahar combines scientific studies and scholarly research in Positive Psychology, Appreciative Inquiry and Strengths Based Leadership into practical principles you can apply to business, family, education, health, economics and community. Tal Ben-Shahar consults for Fortune 500 companies around the world. His book “Happier” was translated into more than 20 languages, and is an international bestseller To accept and experience painful emotions is the basic sign of human beeing, to open ourselves up to positive emotions and to be happier Who does not experience painful emotions: two kind of people – psychopats and dead © Martin Kašpar, 2010 12

What kind of contribution is there waiting for you? n More about Positive Psychology tells Tal Ben-Shahar on http: //bigthink. com/ideas/16653 Big Think Interview with Tal Ben-Shahar Tal Ben-Shahar Psychology Lecturer, Harvard University A conversation with the author of “The Pursuit of Perfect” and “Happier. ” October 2, 2009 | In Love, Sex, & Happiness © Martin Kašpar, 2010 13

What kind of contribution is there waiting for you? n n Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness If you're a “rat racer, ” who lives in the hope of being happy in the future, and yet is unable to enjoy the here-and-now. . . If you're a “hedonist, ” who finds some pleasure in the good things in life - good wine, good food, good company - and yet is unable to enjoy lasting fulfilment. . . If you're a “nihilist, ” who’s completely given up on finding happiness. . . you can learn to be happier! © Martin Kašpar, 2010 14

A real life "The course has exceeded my expectations by a long shot! Tal's lectures are well organized and I especially appreciated the routine grounding of the material in research. I have learned very much about myself and the concepts of Positive Psychology. I genuinely feel the course has changed my life. It has inspired me to enroll in the MPOD program at Case Western this fall!" Kevin, Assistant Dean for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, Doha, Qatar. n "This course brought together what I have been studying for the past 10 years. I have shared what I have learned with many friends, coworkers and family members and all have expressed a noticeable change in me. It made sense and was backed by research. Most importantly, the delivery of the subject was personable, inspiring and has truly made a difference in my life. " Bob, Sr. Clinical Science Manager, Covina, CA, USA n “The Foundations of Positive Psychology Course was the most profound, life changing information I have ever encountered in an academic psychology course. It will undoubtedly have a life transforming impact on you, your family, friends, and others. ” Patrick, Military Psychologist, San Antonio, Texas, U. S. A. © Martin Kašpar, 2010 n 15

A real life n n Almost everyone wants to be happier or to feel happiness for longer time Here we have a practical tool how to be happier – so what do we wait for? © Martin Kašpar, 2010 16

Before we finish: What does it mean n n Personal engagement in Positive psychology and its practical application can bring you to a new level of the life. The way is not simple, but it pays off © Martin Kašpar, 2010 17

Before we finish: What does it mean Remember: n n n Positive psychology enables you to develop a more resilient psychological immune system based on optimism and self esteem. Appreciate and amplify what works at the personal, group, and organisational levels. You can learn to be happier! © Martin Kašpar, 2010 18

My personal expectations n To learn, to understand, to apply and to be a good example for others © Martin Kašpar, 2010 19

Last important thing: Gratitude © Martin Kašpar, 2010 20

Questions? Comments? © Martin Kašpar, 2010 21