What are some positive psychology principles to enhance executives' motivation and well-being during change?

Positive psychology is focusing on the 'good life' by building on strengths rather than weaknesses, and renewing the joyful experiences rather than repairing the bad. Focusing on the strengths help people move from being 'good' to great', whereas focusing on weaknesses will move them only to the line of 'average'. A growth mindset could be helpful in this context as it is more of operating from a belief that skills and abilities can be developed through efforts, which closely relates to the concept of self-efficacy.

In my experience be the warmth for your organization. Your employees of your colleagues always look up to you and when they find that strength in you then they start to feel very strong. Just recently in my cloud based kitchen our sales suddenly dipped massively. All my employees were so upset. I sat them down and became their strength and that completely changed their perspective. They felt like "Now its time for them to be their best and do their best" so that they can attract as many customers as possible. and slowly slowly we built our sales up again. This happened because "I have cultivated a growth mindset" What about you ?

Change, while often a daunting prospect, unfolds in a unique arc - initially terrifying, it can become muddled as we navigate the unknown, but ultimately, it reveals itself to be a beautiful transformation. The perception of change varies from person to person, with some finding it more frightening than others. However, with experience and reflection over time, many come to recognize the positive outcomes that proactive efforts toward change can yield. Embracing change is about nurturing a growth mindset, focusing on the aspects within our control, and channeling efforts into continuous improvement. By doing so, we not only adapt but also thrive, turning potential challenges into opportunities for personal and professional development.

We acknowledge the importance of awareness, but we understand that it is merely the initial step in a journey. To truly embrace this concept, it is essential to allocate dedicated time for it. Despite many years passing, I have struggled to establish a fixed schedule or routine for this purpose. Instead, I seize any available moment to engage in this practice. At times, even during something as simple as sitting down with a cup of coffee, I pause and reflect on how fortunate I am. I cherish the moment and actively cultivate a sense of gratitude.

In Positive Psychology, gratitude is considered a positive emotional response, similar to appreciation, for the 'good' in life. It generates a sense of happiness for the fortunate happenstance or tangible gift. Maintaining a gratitude journal develops the habit of looking for such instances in people's lives. Even better is expressing the gratitude - to other people, nature, life and whatever else it may be.

During change, practice gratitude by acknowledging positive aspects. Regularly express thanks for progress and contributions. Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on what's going well. Create a gratitude journal to document achievements. Recognize and appreciate efforts, fostering a supportive atmosphere. Practicing gratitude enhances motivation by shifting focus from challenges to accomplishments, contributing to overall well-being during periods of change.

Although gratitude and enjoyment are not related terms, in positive psychology there is an interesting concept coined by Fred Bryant (Loyola University Chicago) called SAVORING. It is the use of thoughts and actions to increase the intensity, duration, and appreciation of positive experiences and emotions. 1.- Savoring the past, also known as reminiscence. For example, remembering funny moments from school with a friend. 2.- Savoring the present or savoring the moment. For instance, enjoying a new meal by drawing your attention to the flavors and smells. 3.- Savoring the future, also referred to as anticipation. For example, visualizing the trip you have planned with your partner for this upcoming weekend.

Absolutely agree! This perspective on leveraging strengths is spot on. It's interesting how many societal narratives push us to fix our weaknesses rather than harnessing what makes us unique. These insights reinforce the idea that focusing on strengths not only aligns with personal fulfillment but also enhances our contributions to teams and organizations. The practical suggestions provided, like using assessments and seeking opportunities, offer a clear path to personal and professional growth.

One of the aspects of Positive Psychology is leveraging strengths. The concept underpinning this is that if people work on their weaknesses, they well move from being bad at it to average. Whereas, if they focus on their strengths, they will move from being good at it to great. This is so because our strengths are natural to us and we often easily slide into a 'flow' state when those are in use. There are many assessments, such as VIA, CliftonStrengths, SDI 2.0, etc. that can point us towards our strengths or talent themes, but reflection on our most fulfilling experiences can also be worth discovering what our strengths are. Assessments can be a way to spark thinking, but a person mostly knows more about them than an assessment can tell.

Increasing your sense of well-being by building a sense of meaning is a cornerstone of Positive Psychology that can help in a time of transition. Applying your key strengths, identifying your core values, and deploying them to endeavors that are bigger than yourself is my top recommendation. It's worth the investment. According to the UPenn's Positive Psychology Center, there are numerous benefits to increasing our sense of well-being, both for ourselves and our communities, including: - Higher work performance - Better physical health - Lower levels of burnout

Absolutely agree! This perspective on leveraging strengths is spot on. It's interesting how many societal narratives push us to fix our weaknesses rather than harnessing what makes us unique. These insights reinforce the idea that focusing on strengths not only aligns with personal fulfillment but also enhances our contributions to teams and organizations. The practical suggestions provided, like using assessments and seeking opportunities, offer a clear path to personal and professional growth.

Dr. Martin Seligman’s four-step process, "Put It in Perspective," helps develop flexible optimism. First, ask yourself, "What is the worst possible scenario?" to explore pessimistic outcomes. Next, consider, "What is the best possible outcome?" to see optimistic extremes. These steps help you understand the full spectrum of possibilities. Third, challenge yourself with, "What’s most likely to happen?" to identify realistic scenarios. Finally, plan for this realistic outcome by taking preventative measures, knowing when to seek expert advice, and having a backup plan. This balanced approach cultivates a resilient, optimistic mindset to manage stress and uncertainty effectively.

Your specific beliefs, whether they are religious, related to karma, or anything else, do not necessarily matter. Optimism plays a crucial role in confronting challenges and discovering opportunities. Continuously nurture optimism by questioning your beliefs and negative thoughts, and allowing others around you to do the same. I personally envision a brighter future for myself and then apply rational thinking to work towards making that vision a reality. You have the capability to achieve this too.

Excitement is a powerful anecdote to our fears, unknown and strengthens courage. it is a lot less effort needed than trying to master the monkey mind. Visualise and feel into the excitement of what you bring to the table, what you can value add, support you contribute, instead of focusing on the what-ifs and fears that stresses up the mind, going in spiral.

Cultivate optimism during change by reframing challenges as opportunities. Focus on the positive aspects and potential benefits of the change. Set realistic and achievable goals, celebrating small victories. Surround yourself with positive influences and maintain a forward-looking perspective. By emphasizing possibilities and staying hopeful, optimism becomes a powerful motivator, enhancing overall well-being during periods of change.

In my experience optimism is a game changer— but at the same time, there is an art to promoting optimism without bypassing reality. Sometimes I think people don’t talk about the shadow side of optimism enough— the toxic positivity that makes people feel erased in their actual experiences of suffering. Unbalanced optimism can also avoid looking at deeper systemic inequities. Well balanced optimism means hope and reality can coexist— everything is included.

I have had few clients who came to me for coaching, expressing how they tend to drink when they are stressed and loses themselves completely when drunk, like a coping mechanism to forget all their troubles. Self care if very important. Talk to a coach, therapist need be to help you work through some of the patterns that you are unable to cope with nor have answers to, than trying to be tough and strong on your own. Being able to ask for help is part of self-care effort too.

I agree, but want to highlight that self care looks different for everyone. I have clients for whom meditation or being asked to sit still is actually anxiety producing. The focus shouldn’t necessarily be on what the method is— yoga, breathing, etc— but on helping clients explore what creates the conditions for their nervous system to settle and clarity to arise. Ideally, good self care helps us integrate our experiences during their day or week, feel the feelings that may be simmering under the surface, and come away rejuvenated. This can look different in practice for everyone.

There are many ways to improve our well-being. In addition to the gratitude and savoring mentioned, there are for example: 1.- EXERCISE 2.- SLEEP 3.- FOOD 4.- SOCIAL CONNECTION 5.- MEDITATION 6.- HAVING A CONFIDANT All of them can help us especially in moments of maximum stress and anxiety as it is usually experienced during the change.

Emotional intelligence, including its five Composites and fifteen Scales, should all be practiced daily and made standard for all interpersonal interactions in the workplace and life. Business, industry, and self-care will prosper when EI Assessments and coaching are included.

The influence of sleep on motivation is unrecognised. If you’re looking for more motivation or staying motivated you’ll be sure to find it under your pillow.