What’s wellbeing exactly?

What’s wellbeing exactly?

by | Coaching, Personal Development, Positive Psychology, Positive Resources, Self-Care

What’s wellbeing exactly?

Wellbeing is a topic that has become very close to my heart, and is something that I work with ALL of my clients on. 

Until I started studying positive psychology, I didn’t really have a clear idea of what it meant… it sounded so… ‘soft’ and like it didn’t have a place in the world of work.

Now I see it VERY differently…. For us to function effectively, be happy, and healthy in all parts of our lives, including at work, it is CRITICAL that we take care of our wellbeing! And there is plenty of research that supports this.

The way I explain what wellbeing is very simple:

it’s your capacity to feel good, be healthy and live a life of purpose.

Within my coaching, I utilise the PERMAH framework and assessment of wellbeing, which is based on Martin Seligman’s theory of wellbeing:

PERMAH
Positive emotions: feeling good
Engagement: finding enjoyment and flow in activities
Relationships: cultivating meaningful connections
Meaning: our why or purpose
Accomplishment: achieving and moving towards our goals
Health: taking care of ourselves – physically and mentally

There are many easy ways to improve each of these elements and increase your levels of wellbeing. BUT making sustainable changes can be challenging, this is where working with a coach is super effective to make effective and lasting improvements to your wellbeing

(AND back to my point of wellbeing sounding ‘soft’, MANY studies have proven that good levels of wellbeing lead to greater levels of satisfaction, physical health and happiness, etc, etc. And at work… better performance, job satisfaction, increased engagement, less sick days, etc, etc, which of course leads to better company $$$ results!).

How PERMA can help us at work

Here’s an overview of how high levels of wellbeing in each of the pillars can benefit us, with a focus on the work context!

PERMAH pillarEvidence-based outcomes
Positive emotions•Development of personal resources including resilience
•Dealing better with stress and challenges
•Starting a contagion effect of positivity
Engagement•Increased job enjoyment
Relationships•Better relationships throughout the organisation
•Improved coping and reduced conflict
•Better problem solving and job performance
•Improved morale and increased enjoyment
Meaning•Increased happiness and engagement
•Improved performance
Accomplishment•Reduced turnover
Health•Reduced stress and depression symptoms
•Increases in positive emotions, feelings of achievement and engagement

 

How do you define wellbeing?
What do you do for your wellbeing?
And do you feel it’s in balance?

Useful resources

– Here’s an article on the PERMA framework

– Download my guide on how to integrate positivitiy into your work day

– Watch this video of Martin Seligman explaining PERMA

– Or get in touch if you’d like my 1-1 support to improve your wellbeing

 

Want to feel more satisfied at work? Use your character strengths!

Want to feel more satisfied at work? Use your character strengths!

by | Career Challenges, Coaching, Personal Development, Positive Psychology, Positive Resources

Want to feel more satisfied at work? Use your character strengths!

Want to know a relatively easy way of feeling better at work?

It’s simply by intelligently applying your character strengths – more effectively using what you naturally have within you!

Let me explain a little more….

A quick look at character strengths

Character strengths are “positive traits reflected in thoughts, feelings and behaviours” (Park et al., 2004) and are regarded as essential ingredients of a fulfilling and happy life (Peterson, 2006). The VIA Classification consists of 24 different character strengths, which we all have within us and can draw on to support us in all aspects of life.  

By implementing a character strengths approach, our main focus is on what’s right and what we do well, instead of spending time and energy ‘fixing’ our weaknesses, as studies have shown that this where we can experience the greatest positive impact.  

I use the VIA Classification of character strengths with my clients as they are flexible, effective and impactful when professionally applied, and have been proven through many studies to contribute to flourishing.  

What are the benefits of applying character strengths at work?

When we consistently and intelligently apply our strengths at work, there’s evidence to show that we can experience improvements in: 

  • job performance
  • productivity
  • work satisfaction and meaningful work
  • employee engagement
  • job dedication
  • interpersonal facilitation
  • performance ratings  

When I say intelligently, I mean that to really get the most benefit of applying your strengths, it’s important to know the best way in which to use them! For example to understand when to dial up a strength, such as bravery before a speech; or dial down a strength, for example creativity when you are required to closely follow processes. Or by seeking an evidence-based positive psychology intervention to develop your strengths in new and novel ways.   

So, which strengths are most impactful at work? 

Numerous studies have found that when the character strengths of…  

  • curiosity: “interest, novelty-seeking, exploration, openness to experience”
  • zest: “vitality, enthusiasm for life, vigour, energy, not doing things half-heartedly”
  • hope: “optimism, positive future-mindedness, expecting the best and working to achieve it”
  • gratitude: “thankful for the good, expressing thanks, feeling blessed” 

… are consistently applied at work, then we can experience higher levels of satisfaction. 

Some positive actions you can try 

Here are some ideas of how you could apply each in the work setting: 

Curiosity  

  • ask ‘why’ questions more often, especially when making assumptions
  • be curious about a work task that you don’t like – find a new way to view it positively
  • challenge yourself to learn a new thing a day for a week  

Zest   

  • when you feel your energy lagging, instead of reaching for a sugary snack, get out and go for a short walk
  • express your energy and individuality by wearing colourful clothes
  • prepare yourself for new tasks at work by considering the positive aspects   

Hope  

  • observe how hopeful colleagues overcome challenges
  • support someone who may be struggling by offering hopeful ideas and concrete actions they could take
  • set daily goals for what you’d like to achieve and identify 2-3 different ways you could reach these goals  

Gratitude  

  • explain why you are grateful to a colleague, either by what they have done or for a positive aspect of themselves and leave it on their desk in a note to surprise them
  • each evening, recall 3 good things that happened at work each day
  • start meetings by sharing successes 

(Reference: Niemiec & McGrath, 2019; Niemiec, 2018: McQuaid & Lawn, 2014) 

So, which of these 4 strengths will you be focusing on first?! 

Useful resources

– Here’s the link to the VIA website where you’ll find the survey as well as more information about each character strength

– And If you’d like my support with developing your strengths so you can be more satisfied at work, here are my products, and you can book a call with me here. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!