Positive Psychology and professional performance by Jayson Moran
In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, happiness is often overlooked as a crucial factor for professional performance and development. However, research in positive psychology has shown that cultivating happiness can significantly impact our success and productivity. For example, doctors in a positive mood have been shown to be 19% more effective in diagnosing patients. Optimistic salespeople outsell their pessimistic counterparts by 56%. Recent research has shown that overall happier people are 13% more productive.
Let’s have a look at each pillar, and I’ll recommend a book or two for each if you’d like to go deeper and learn more.
Additionally, experiencing a state of flow, characterized by complete immersion and focus in an activity, fosters happiness and enhances performance. We tend to experience flow when we are using our strengths on something that challenges us to the point where we have to be fully absorbed.
This is ‘being in the zone’, or ‘being one’ with the music, football or crowd. Stephen Kotler has an amazing video on Youtube about Flow – while you can find out your strengths for free using the VIA Strengthfinder at viacharacter.org.
– Christopher Peterson.
Humans are social beings, and positive relationships are vital for our well-being and happiness. Building and nurturing meaningful connections with family, friends and colleagues undoubtably makes us happy. But what makes a relationship positive? My favourite definition is from Carl rogers: “a positive relationship is one that helps you grow.’ We can help others grow by supporting, listening and even challenging them – which is why I like Rogers’ definition – it gives us practical ways to create positive relationships.
Trust is also essential in relationships. My favourite book on building trust is ‘The Trusted Advisor by David Maister – which outlines a simple, yet effective, formula for building trust.
- Figure out what’s really important to you and set goals around that. Maybe its family (visit your Mum more?), maybe its creativity (take that art class), maybe its adventure (book that trip?). A great book on prioritising what’s important (and ignoring what’s not) is the cleverly named ‘The subtle art of not giving F**k’ by Mark Manson
- Face your fears. Some of the most rewarding things I’ve done in life have been the scariest. I had a huge fear of water and the sea in particular. Learning to swim in my twenty’s was very satisfying. I had a huge fear of public speaking. One of the proudest moments of my life was my first talk in front of an audience of 60 people. I had a huge fear that people would reject me if I stood up for myself, spoke my mind and told people how I really felt.
Learning how to be assertive has improved my relationships no end – but also felt great. Figure out what scares you. Feel the fear and do it anyway (excuse the cliché) – you won’t regret it. Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero of 1000 faces’ is the seminal book on this idea.
- Play the roles in your life well. We all play multiple roles in our life. I’m a psychologist, speaker, brother, partner, son, researcher, coach, friend and other things. And we can find meaning and purpose by playing these roles well. It feels good/is meaningful to me when I visit my parents – because I’m being a good son. I’m playing the role of ‘son’ well. Its feels good/its meaningful to me when I learn a new technique for helping clients move forward. because I’m being a ’good’ psychologist – I’m playing the role of psychologist well. And, we can usually play these roles a little better. So, pick an important role in your life so ask yourself the question: ‘What would someone who plays that role well do? And do a little more of it.
A great book on this idea is Vitor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning
Much of the work I do with clients in terms of achievement is in overcoming some of the key psychological blocks that get in the way of performance. Much of this boils down to mindset -the attitude and beliefs we bring to our problems and challenges. Below are the top 3 and a book that should help.
- Fear of failure – Mindset by Carol Dweck.
- My problems are a bad thing – The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan holiday
- There’s nothing I can do, its hopeless – Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman
Great relationships are meaningful – and an achievement in themselves. Working on one pillar – can mean we get gains and increased happiness in others.
Explore. Understand. Move forward.
Jayson’s focus is helping professionals & entrepreneurs develop, move forward, and deal with challenging business and personal situations, to get the results they, and their organizations need, by increasing their effectiveness.
He helps leaders increase effectiveness by focusing on three key themes related to their performance and development.
- Gaining clarity and getting organised.
- Happiness, Wellbeing and Stress.
- Overcoming barriers to performance and productivity.
Get in touch
- Book a free consultation
- Website – jaysonmoran.com
- jaysonmoran@gmail.com
- Ph. +353(0) 87 6997396