Lecture Notes: Positive Psychology and Happiness

Introduction

• Speaker shares a childhood story illustrating how perspective can change reality.
• Story of playing with sister on a bunk bed leading to a realization about the power of positive thinking.

Key Concepts

Positive Psychology

• The story demonstrated early understanding of what would later be known as positive psychology.
• Positive psychology focuses on studying what makes life worth living, rather than just treating mental illness.

Traditional Psychology's Focus

• Traditional approaches often focus on eliminating outliers to find averages.
• This approach doesn’t account for individuals who excel beyond the average.
• Positive psychology suggests studying those above average to improve overall well-being.

Science of Happiness

• Speaker discusses how happiness is not solely derived from external circumstances.
• Studies show that only 10% of long-term happiness is determined by external factors.
• 90% of happiness is predicted by how the brain processes the world.

Misconceptions About Success

• Traditional formula: Work hard -> Success -> Happiness.
• This formula is flawed because it places happiness beyond the horizon (never attainable).
• Studies show that success increases when happiness comes first.

The Happiness Advantage

• When the brain is positive, it performs better:
  • Intelligence, creativity, and energy levels rise.
  • Positive doctors are more accurate and faster.

Techniques to Train the Brain for Positivity

• Gratitude Journaling: Writing three things you’re grateful for each day for 21 days.
• Journaling: Writing about a positive experience each day.
• Exercise: Demonstrates that behavior matters.
• Meditation: Helps focus the brain and counteract cultural ADHD.
• Acts of Kindness: Writing positive emails or notes to others.

Conclusion

• Training the brain to be positive leads to a happiness advantage in personal and professional realms.
• Encourages a shift in mindset to create ripples of positivity and revolutionize our approach to happiness.