I just finished an amazing book! I’m so excited about it that I had to share it with you.

The book is titled “Positivity,” and was written in 2009 by Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D. Dr. Fredrickson is currently a professor in the department of psychology at the University of North Carolina.

What I LOVE about this book is that it shows the magic formula, or ratio, to create a life that flourishes.

According to Dr. Fredrickson, if you can organize your life such that you have a ratio of positive emotions versus negative emotions at 3-to-1, or greater, then you will likely cross a threshold, a tipping point of positivity such that good things will result in your life. You will have better health, better relationships, be more resilient, be more accepting, and be more driven by purpose. In summary, you will flourish.

I’m already a positive person, and I like to look at the world through a lens of optimism. I really don’t know if I was born this way, or if it is something that I developed. Regardless, I’m happy that I’m generally a positive, optimistic guy.

What I LOVE about this book is that it is chocked full of scientific research that backs up the author’s claims around the benefits of positivity. Whether as an individual, within a marriage, or within a business team, the magic ratio of 3-to-1 positivity versus negativity proves to be accurate.

Dr. Fredrickson shares that there are ten forms of positivity. They are:

  • Joy
  • Gratitude
  • Serenity
  • Interest
  • Hope
  • Pride
  • Amusement
  • Inspiration
  • Awe
  • Love

The goal is to build upon these. Experiencing any or all of these emotions are a matter of choice. Positive emotions, like all emotions, are the result of how you interpret events and ideas. We all have the power to flip the switch – to turn positivity on and off for ourselves.

Negative emotions, while they cannot be eliminated, should be minimized. Examples of negative emotions are: anger, contempt, embarrassment, guilt, shame, hate, sadness, stress and fear.

It is exciting to know that there are concrete things that a person can do to improve upon the amount of positivity, and to reduce negativity in one’s life.

Here are 13 ways to increase the amount of positivity and decrease negativity in your life:

  • Slow down and appreciate the world around you.
  • Create high-quality connections with people.
  • Perform random acts of kindness.
  • Eliminate watching television.
  • Develop healthy distractions to end needless rumination and worry. (A good book, Sudoku, go for a run or to the gym)
  • Dispute negative thinking.
  • Find substitutes for gossip and sarcasm.
  • Don’t spend time with negative people.
  • Find nearby nature.
  • Learn and apply your strengths.
  • Meditate mindfully.
  • Use a gratitude journal.
  • Visualize your future.

I’m convinced that by living with these suggestions as guidelines, I will experience more flourishing in my life. I’ll bet the same will come true for you.

To find out what your current positivity to negativity ratio is, you can take a short quiz by clicking here. I suggest you do it, and get on your path to improving the amount of positivity in your life, and watch some amazing things unfold as a result.

Here’s to an abundance of flourishing for us all!

Cheers,

Coach Brett Blair

 

 

 

 

 

 

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