Everyday Better by Leah Smart
I was supposed to be searching for funding opportunities for our new program, but I got distracted on LinkedIn by a post from Leah Smart. Her insights on positive psychology and personal development were so engaging that I ended up spending more time reading about her work and podcast "Everyday Better."
I recognize that a positive attitude and empathy can oscillate from being invigorating to challenging, depending on the context and individual experiences. I am bad for looking and stitching together what I like and don’t like. Leah Smart's approach to personal growth and resilience resonates with me because she addresses the complexities of maintaining a positive mindset and empathetic outlook in various situations.
As such, I’d like to share my research detour I took as a mental health break. Being forced into the world is not something you should have to worry about. The world needs to be more accessible and accepting of people. One must never be compelled into the fray unprepared. The battlefield of life must become more inclusive and accommodating. Political science must wield the keen blade of historical insight, tempered by the precision of applied science.
during my strategic withdrawal to regain mental strength, I can’t keep serious with the jokers I am forced to deal with. So I embarked on a research detour.
Positive psychology was officially introduced in 1998 by Martin Seligman during his tenure as president of the American Psychological Association. The field arose as a reaction to the traditional pathology-focused approach of psychology, which primarily addressed mental illness and dysfunction. The aim was to shift the focus towards studying what makes life fulfilling and how individuals and communities can thrive.
Pioneers like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers emphasized personal growth, self-actualization, and the intrinsic potential of individuals. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs highlighted the importance of fulfilling basic needs to reach higher states of self-actualization and fulfillment.
Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, which emerged from his experiences in concentration camps, emphasized finding meaning in life, even in the face of suffering. This concept is integral to positive psychology’s focus on meaning and purpose.
Seligman’s introduction of the PERMA model—Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—provided a comprehensive framework for studying and enhancing well-being. This model has been widely adopted in both academic research and practical applications.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow, which describes a state of deep immersion and optimal experience in activities, has become a cornerstone in understanding how engagement contributes to well-being.
The VIA Classification of Strengths, developed by Peterson and Seligman, shifted the focus from identifying weaknesses to recognizing and cultivating individual strengths. This approach has been incorporated into educational and organizational settings to enhance performance and satisfaction.
The growth of positive psychology has been driven by societal changes and the increasing recognition of mental health as a critical component of overall health.
