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A Practical Guide to Positive Psychology: Achieve Lasting Happiness
Positive psychologists seek to find and nurture genius and talent, and to make normal life more fulfilling, rather than treat mental illness.This Practical Guide explores how we can all have a "life of enjoyment", in which we savour the positive emotions that are part of healthy living; a "life of engagement" where we feel confident we can tackle the tasks we face; and a 'life of affiliation', being part of something larger than ourselves.Free of jargon but full of straightforward advice, case studies and step-by-step instructions, this is the perfect concise start to making your life better.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 15, 2020
An interesting read that makes you question your outlook and reactions to events and aspects of your life.
I particularly enjoyed the "try it now" exercise's and found the resources section very helpful.
I particularly enjoyed the "try it now" exercise's and found the resources section very helpful.
February 24, 2018
This was an interesting looking positive psychology. With tips and exercises for combatting unhappiness, and discovering the way you think, feel, and deal with things that happen it's incredibly informative . There are times when the worksheets and tests grew tedious, but breaking it down over time makes things easier.
February 27, 2021
This book really defines what happiness really is.
But there is nothing special about it,
But there is nothing special about it,
December 1, 2021
This is nice, quick read if you care about health and well-being. The resources at the end are very helpful as well. This book covers a wide array of topics all around living a happier, more fulfilling life. Here is one section summary as a teaser for you:
Savoring is another definition of appreciation which covers all three senses of the word: to be thankful for something, to acknowledge the quality of something, and to increase in value. In positive psychology terminology, savoring is about really noticing, appreciating, and enhancing the positive experiences in your life. By savoring you slow down and consciously pay attention to all your senses. Unfortunately, we tend to notice bad things in life before we see the good things (i.e., Negativity Bias). Find many different ways to extract even more pleasure from positive day-to-day experiences. Savoring is a process, not an outcome. It’s something we do, not something we get. It’s difficult to savor things if you’re in a hurry, so take your time. Attend to the experience using all your senses.
How to savor in five easy steps:
Slow down,
Pay attention to what you’re doing,
Use all your senses,
Stretch out the experience,
Reflect on your enjoyment.
Remember how excited, enthusiastic, and expressive you were as a child when good things happened. Make a list of the happiest experiences of your life. Also, think of a positive experience or event which is in the future.
Savoring is another definition of appreciation which covers all three senses of the word: to be thankful for something, to acknowledge the quality of something, and to increase in value. In positive psychology terminology, savoring is about really noticing, appreciating, and enhancing the positive experiences in your life. By savoring you slow down and consciously pay attention to all your senses. Unfortunately, we tend to notice bad things in life before we see the good things (i.e., Negativity Bias). Find many different ways to extract even more pleasure from positive day-to-day experiences. Savoring is a process, not an outcome. It’s something we do, not something we get. It’s difficult to savor things if you’re in a hurry, so take your time. Attend to the experience using all your senses.
How to savor in five easy steps:
Slow down,
Pay attention to what you’re doing,
Use all your senses,
Stretch out the experience,
Reflect on your enjoyment.
Remember how excited, enthusiastic, and expressive you were as a child when good things happened. Make a list of the happiest experiences of your life. Also, think of a positive experience or event which is in the future.
November 7, 2018
The first time I read this book I didnt get much from it. I was 18 and found it interesting from an academic perspective but it didn't really affect my life at all. However I learned new concepts and kept them in the back of my mind.
The second time I read this, at 23, it feels like I really gained a practical benefit from it. Gaining life experience and going through life with the ideas of positive psychology really gave a better mentality and approach to life. Focusing on things like mindfulness, having a growth mindset, nutrition, resilience, optimism and appreciative enquiry have made a real difference to me.
Thinking about these concepts while going through good life experiences (travelling, being around good people, setting goals and achieving them) shape your mind in a really positive way and improve your quality of life.
Reading this book for the second time really hammered the message in and consolidated everything that I learned and practiced. I've read a lot of self help books and this is among the best but getting a lot from it involves practice.
The second time I read this, at 23, it feels like I really gained a practical benefit from it. Gaining life experience and going through life with the ideas of positive psychology really gave a better mentality and approach to life. Focusing on things like mindfulness, having a growth mindset, nutrition, resilience, optimism and appreciative enquiry have made a real difference to me.
Thinking about these concepts while going through good life experiences (travelling, being around good people, setting goals and achieving them) shape your mind in a really positive way and improve your quality of life.
Reading this book for the second time really hammered the message in and consolidated everything that I learned and practiced. I've read a lot of self help books and this is among the best but getting a lot from it involves practice.
February 22, 2018
A useful guide to positive psychology
I really enjoyed reading through this book. It gives a good look at some practical exercises to increase your own well being and promote positive mental thinking as well as looking at the theory behind the positive psychology movement. Useful references for further reading as well.
I really enjoyed reading through this book. It gives a good look at some practical exercises to increase your own well being and promote positive mental thinking as well as looking at the theory behind the positive psychology movement. Useful references for further reading as well.
April 9, 2020
This book helps me redefined happiness and identifying my lack of feeling content in my life. The practical steps and written exercises really feel like you’re analysing yourself through reading this book.
I definitely will recommend to those who are struggling or searching for real meaning of self-worth or even wanted to increase your well-being in general.
I definitely will recommend to those who are struggling or searching for real meaning of self-worth or even wanted to increase your well-being in general.
January 2, 2019
Excellent
One of the best books you will read on health and well being. It is packed with lots of practical activities and information backed by research, which you can tell is genuine information with no nonsense. Thank you
One of the best books you will read on health and well being. It is packed with lots of practical activities and information backed by research, which you can tell is genuine information with no nonsense. Thank you
April 20, 2022
I really love this book. It taught me so much about myself and others, and how to deal with situations that are stressful and overwhelming. I’m for sure going to be skimming through the book from time to time for advice and what not! 10/10 recommend!
December 3, 2023
I had already known all the tips this book gives out, but I had gathered them over the course of seven years. So, in short, this book will save you years of time. It's such a short, sweet little book, with loads of helpful links hidden within.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
Practical & succinct explanation of ideas-- which is great for any science book!
September 23, 2019
Great quick introduction
Great introduction to a range of positive psychology principles, would recommend for anyone wanting to develop an understanding of positive psychology
Great introduction to a range of positive psychology principles, would recommend for anyone wanting to develop an understanding of positive psychology
July 13, 2020
This is a great little compact book that covers all of the key ideas in positive psychology. It’s well worth the read!
April 13, 2021
Pretty good self help guide. I read it for a work training course.
May 13, 2021
I love this book. So simply organized and easy to refer to. Mindfulness. Mindset. Flow. Motivation. Goal Setting. The Keys to Happiness. It's all there in a few hour read.
October 8, 2021
This book was insightful to say the least! I will be doing a lot of these activities suggested, and realizing the way I think and how little effort it takes to make my life more enjoyable.
January 5, 2022
Great information, loved everything except for the way the book bounced you back and forth across chapters and also to the back of the book in Resources when explaining concepts.
April 9, 2023
Five Stars
Love the title, the practical advice & principles the author shares. Her creative writing is inspirational & motivational. Love it
Love the title, the practical advice & principles the author shares. Her creative writing is inspirational & motivational. Love it
June 18, 2025
A great, quick, comprehensive guide to Positive Psychology. It covers every major area of PP with a brief chapter. It's enough to whet your appetite and give you future direction for further reading.
July 12, 2023
Thoughts
I had a few friends in university who took a positive psychology module so I recognised a few elements mentioned but the more in depth explanation helped introduce me to the topics I had no prior knowledge of and will be extremely beneficial in the future. The exercises and putting the theories into applicable areas for us is extremely helpful to understanding as well.
I had a few friends in university who took a positive psychology module so I recognised a few elements mentioned but the more in depth explanation helped introduce me to the topics I had no prior knowledge of and will be extremely beneficial in the future. The exercises and putting the theories into applicable areas for us is extremely helpful to understanding as well.
March 17, 2017
Positive Psychology is a book that is made to help you be more positive in life through exercises that help you learn what you're good at to understanding the flow of your life. Being happy and positive in life is essential to living a good life and without that life is ultimately meaningless. Positive Psychology also covers some points about how your brain works when it comes to many life moments.
This book is very reader friendly with its 2nd person writing style and its direct mentions and ways to help to the reader spread throughout the book. The book will make the reader rethink how they understand their life and there own psychology. Although, whether someone is happy and have a good psychology or not is there own choice.
This book is very reader friendly with its 2nd person writing style and its direct mentions and ways to help to the reader spread throughout the book. The book will make the reader rethink how they understand their life and there own psychology. Although, whether someone is happy and have a good psychology or not is there own choice.
June 1, 2018
This book is a brief and efficient summary of the field of positive psychology. The tone of the book is written in such a way as it can be applied on a personal level as well as a level of general knowledge. I felt optimistic while reading this book and have applied some of the tips, such as keeping a wellness log. Overall I think I will be keeping this book for future rereads and to share with others from my personal or professional library.
July 4, 2019
Great introduction to positive psychology covering a large number of different concepts that play a part in subjective well-being and giving tips on how to incorporate the concepts into you life. I do think it could have used more anecdotes and possibly more detail (for example, Grenville-Cleave only spends a short paragraph on "defensive pessimism" - I would have loved to have learned more about this to be able to identify this mindset in others).
December 4, 2019
I found this book in Barnes & Noble and took a chance. I’m glad I did. Of course I assumed I would enjoy it but was surprised by just how much. Honestly there is a lot of wisdom and knowledge packed inside this small book. I learned much more about myself than I anticipated I would. The exercises are great too. There’s no need to do them all, just do the ones that grab your attention. Have fun with it. You will be pleased with the results.
February 10, 2020
This is a book for anyone seeking to shift their thinking from negative to positive. It can be extremely beneficial for individuals desiring to enhance their overall well-being, using the new positive psychology wheel (PERMA). I believe this book is life-changing, and it can play a pivotal into shifting our negative society into a more positive society. An absolute MUST read...
Dr. James Arthur Williams
Author of From Thug to Scholar
www.unmaskytp.com
Dr. James Arthur Williams
Author of From Thug to Scholar
www.unmaskytp.com
March 24, 2016
A good guide to positive psychology for beginners and I like the fact that you can dip in and out of it without having to know concepts from previous chapters. I felt the concepts were well explained and so easy to follow, I enjoyed undertaking a few of the quizzes and exercises myself and I like to think I've learnt more about myself as a pessimist and how to combat stressful situations.
June 12, 2025
A very clear, practical manual on well-being and mental health. It doesn't go in depth on every issue but that might not be necessary. As the author said it's better to encourage people to practice and the book comes with many exercises.
January 17, 2016
Concise yet comprehensive
Quite a good summary of a broad body of knowledge.
I used this as road map to explore pockets of research on Positive Psychology. It pointed me to in good directions!
Quite a good summary of a broad body of knowledge.
I used this as road map to explore pockets of research on Positive Psychology. It pointed me to in good directions!
November 27, 2023
A succinct read on positive psychology and developing resilience. It talks about playing to your strengths and understanding your weaknesses to develop resilience. It gives several resources as well to help increase your well-being.
May 22, 2012
I should have known it - I just don't like that type of self-help-books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews