Using Positive Psychology to Succeed At Work

Sharon Moore October 10, 2013

Positive Psychology is among the most recent areas of psychology, which was introduced by Martin Seligman in 1998. It is different from old-fashioned psychology in a sense that it focuses on the “brighter side” of life. Rather than studying the negative side of human nature and the problems that make people unhappy, miserable and lonely, positive psychology seeks to investigate ways that can help us become healthier and happier. Therapy interventions and developments arising from the study of positive psychology have been very effective in helping people overcome mental and emotional problems that affect their quality of life and health.

Positive psychology does not only provide insights to the science of happiness, but also to that of success – success in personal and social relationships and success at work. Applying some of the principles of positive psychology has been shown to promote happiness and well-being of employees, which in turn, dramatically improved their productivity levels.

So how do you incorporate positive psychology to succeed at work or in whatever you do?

Focus on what you’re good at. Instead of ruminating on your weaknesses, shift your thoughts and attention to your strengths. This does not mean of course that you should stop working to improve your skills. But if you give more time thinking about how you can’t speak with confidence during meetings, how long it takes you to type those documents, or why you couldn’t beat your colleague’s performance level, you will just be more anxious and stressed, resulting to poor productivity. A much better approach would be to incorporate into your everyday work something that you really excel at. Thinking about positive things gives you confidence which is something you really, really need in order to overcome those weaknesses and become a better person.

Set achievable goals. Holding on to long-term goals can be difficult unless you balance it with more attainable goals. Being thankful for even the smallest accomplishments will help boost your energy levels and motivation to succeed at work.

Be grateful. Since positive psychology was born, we have learned many things about the science of gratefulness and how it can impressively boost our happiness. Being grateful is a trait that you can also observe in the workplace. Saying “thank you” to the co-worker who filled in when you were sick, to your boss who has congratulated you for a job well done, and to the utility officer who has cleaned your desk – all these are acts of gratefulness that don’t just make other people feel better, but also dramatically improve your well-being.

Be kind to others. Positive psychology also suggests that altruistic behaviour can help create lasting happiness. Be kind to your co-workers and help them if you can. If you have many friends at work, you can easily get support especially during difficult times. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Vocational Behaviour report that people who serve as mentors within the workplace have higher levels of job satisfaction and commitment.

Hope these things would help you succeed not just in work, but in all other areas of life as well.