If you are a fan of Positive Psychology, chances are you are aware of the VIA questionnaire. If so you will be familiar with your signature strengths and are hopefully taking steps to use them in your life. If not, make sure to visit the website and discover your top strengths. Go to www.authentichappiness.org.
is not a signature strength of mine (well it wasn’t the last time I took the test. In 2008 it came in at 15th, an all time high for me!). It was however a quality …

Since I’m just beginning this blog, then I thought it might be good to bring you up to speed on where my interest in Positive Psychology began. Back in 2004 I bought a copy of Psychology Today. In it was an article on happiness, featuring Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson’s work on character strengths. It suggested visiting authentichappiness.org and taking their questionnaire. Here you would discover what your top character strengths were (or signature strengths). Ever keen to take a psych test, I went to the site and completed the …

Gratitude is about having an awareness of and appreciation for the good things in your life and not taking them for granted. It is about acknowledging the of others.  As such, it helps us recognise that we are not solitary creatures and that others have helped and supported us along the way.  Gratitude is an important character strength that is strongly correlated with happiness. It is a very positive emotion; after all it is hardly likely that a person can feel bitter, angry and resentful at the same time …

It seems sad to me that adults tend to stop playing, instead adopting a serious approach to life. Yes life can be very stressful, but playing can be a great way to , have fun and experience joy. It can also provide you with a , which is where you are so absorbed in an activity that everything else is forgotten. This is a great way to increase happiness in your life.
Martin Seligman, one of the founders of regards playfulness as a key personal . Also, play can provide …

Positive psychologists Chris Peterson and Martin Seligman have identified 24 strengths which can be seen as character traits. All of these strengths can be developed.  A great deal of research has gone into looking into these strengths and how they can benefit happiness and wellbeing. Seligman suggests that we identify our signature strengths (our top strengths) and use these regularly in our lives. You can do this by visiting the Authentic Happiness website and completing the VIA Signature Strengths questionnaire. Using your signature strengths will feel effortless as they are …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘temperance’: self-regulation, prudence, humility and modesty and forgiveness. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Self-regulation
Having self-regulation means a person can take control of thoughts, behaviour and emotions. People with this strength can set and uphold their own standards. They do not give in …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘justice’: citizenship, fairness and equity and leadership. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Citizenship
People who have citizenship as a strength are loyal and have a great sense of duty. They make good team members and work to ensure the best outcome for the group. …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘humanity’: love, kindness and generosity and social intelligence. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Love
Having close, loving relationships is important to people with this strength. It is not just about loving your partner, but your friends, family and people around you. Such people …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘courage’: bravery, persistence, authenticity and vitality. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Bravery
Bravery is about facing a danger, despite misgivings. Such bravery can be physical, moral or psychological. It is easy to think of physical courage as a form of bravery, yet having …

If you want to increase your happiness, one way is through nurturing your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. In this article I will talk about the strengths which make up the virtue ‘wisdom and knowledge’: curiosity, love of learning, open mindedness, creativity and perspective. In addition, I offer tips to help you develop each strength.
Curiosity
Curiosity refers to having an interest in the world. Curious people are open to experience. They are flexible and take steps to actively engage in …