This is a Deep Dive Podcast, discussing an article titled "Working With Intentions" by Lisa Jones

This blog post from "Working With Intentions" outlines the Intentions component of a model developed by Lisa Jones to aid in navigating career transitions, building upon positive psychology principles. It emphasises the importance of self-awareness, gained through understanding one's core values and sense of self, as foundational for setting meaningful intentions. 

The author suggests using various tools and exercises, including reflection and creative visualisation, to clarify personal desires and translate them into actionable plans. Jones draws on Self-Determination Theory to highlight the link between intrinsic motivation and valued behaviour, differentiating intentions from strengths.

Being kind has a positive impact on the ‘giver’ too. Even witnessing acts of kindness can have a positive impact. How is that? Being kind builds our connection with others. Find the ways you enjoy being kind. A classic positive psychology exercise is Three Kind Things. Don’t Forget Yourself People with Kindness high in their strength profile can, at times, feel they have given too much. This is often because they have forgotten one thing, kindness must include yourself.

This article emphasizes how positive psychology can enhance employee well-being by fostering strengths, resilience, and a positive workplace culture. It highlights strategies such as gratitude practices, mindfulness, and recognising employee achievements to boost morale and job satisfaction. 

Organisations can improve productivity, mental health, and employee engagement by focusing on strengths and creating a supportive environment, leading to a happier and more cohesive workforce.

Embarking on a career transition post-Ph.D., I'm filled with anxiety about the unknown, relying on Thomas Fuller’s adage for comfort. Positive psychology is my guide through this transition. Instead of setting SMART goals, I've created a visual 'Best Possible Self' representation to visualize my future researcher self. Literature reveals fragmented data on successful job transitions, often pathologizing changes. Yet, embracing change and leveraging positive psychology can transform anxiety into a constructive journey.

Positive psychology in dystopian fiction highlights human resilience amid adversity, offering hope and potential for positive change. It emphasizes cultivating strengths, gratitude, relationships, and purpose for well-being. 

In real life, overwhelming information can lead to indifference, but positive thinking reframes challenges as growth opportunities. By shifting perspectives, embracing growth, and focusing on solutions, individuals can better handle life's rapid changes, viewing them as catalysts for personal development and emotional resilience. 

The convergence of positive psychology and AI offers transformative potential, enabling personalised interventions, scalability, and enhanced data analysis. However, ethical concerns arise, such as privacy, bias, autonomy, and accessibility. AI-powered mental health apps, personalized coaching, and AI-driven research highlight its real-world applications. Mitigating risks requires ethical guidelines, transparency, human oversight, and cultural sensitivity. Collaborative efforts between psychologists and AI experts are essential to harness AI’s benefits while addressing the ethical challenges for a positive future.

Positive psychology and existentialism, despite their differences, complement each other. They both emphasise meaning, acceptance, authenticity, and freedom for a fulfilling life. By integrating these principles, individuals can cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and well-being. This approach provides a deeper insight into happiness and purpose, ultimately leading to a more enriched and meaningful life.

Emotional effort can be draining, whether at work or in personal relationships. It is important to recognise and replenish our emotional resources to avoid burnout. Self-awareness, setting boundaries, and practising self-care are key to maintaining emotional well-being. Positive Being Coaching can help you reconnect with yourself and build a life of positive well-being. Take care of your emotional resources and prioritise your own needs to support others effectively.

Toxic positivity involves focusing only on positive emotions and denying negative ones, which can be harmful. All emotions are valid and should be accepted. It is important to listen with compassion to others' struggles instead of trying to fix their problems or dismiss their feelings. Embracing all emotions mindfully can lead to increased well-being. It is important to be self-aware and not push false positivity onto others. Allow yourself to feel and process negative emotions before embracing positivity.