A New Year - making positive changes

There’s something about a new year that inspires us to see things differently and to believe that we can do things differently.

And yet, as I’ve written before, – most new years resolutions fail.  In that previous post I encouraged you to review the past year and to build on the things that had gone well.  To take a strengths-based approach to making changes and use the energy and motivation from previous positive and satisfying experiences to plan the next year.

This time I want to suggest you take a longer-term view.  There’s a positive psychology exercise I often use when coaching that helps people to consider how they might be in the future if everything worked out the best possible way.

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Happy New Year

And best wishes for your life, your family and your work in 2014.

Here in Australia as I write this on a hot Sydney day it is January 2, 2014.  It’s a business day in Australia, unlike New Zealand where the day after NY is also a public holiday. I think of family and friends there, who are relaxing.  And I think of friends around the world for whom it’s still New Year’s Day.  

It’s a day that tends to bring out the optimism in us.  A new year brings new possibilities.  A new chance to change the things we want to change, or become the person we want to be, to build the relationships we want to have.

Statistics show that about 50% of people respond to that feeling of possibility and make NY resolutions. 

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Positive Psychology has good news for expats

I recently attended a workshop with Dr Barbara Fredrickson. Her work in the area of positive emotions and her broaden and build theory have been cornerstones of positive psychology.

In case you haven't heard of her research; over the past twenty years it has revealed the powerful effects of positive emotions. Those emotions such as gratitude, hope, serenity, awe, humour, love and happiness have been found to have a number of positive effects.

They increase resilience, strengthen social bonds, enhance problem solving, undo the effects of stress, and reduce own-race bias. All things critical for expats!

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Journaling to increase cultural intelligence

At this time of year many of us are writing.  In journals and notebooks and blogs people are recording their hopes, dreams and plans for the New Year. 

There’s a significant amount of research which points to the power of writing with benefits ranging from increases in well-being, decreases in ill health, greater goal achievement and self efficacy. 

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Are your expatriates flourishing?

‘Flourish’ – it’s such a great term, and it creates such a vivid picture of well-being! 

Martin Seligman thought so because Flourish is the title he has given to his latest book where he refines his model of positive psychology.  In the new model the focus is not centered on happiness but on well-being.  Happiness has been relegated to one of five elements that contribute to well-being and flourishing.

So what are the five elements? And based on my experience and observations, how do I believe an overseas assignment may impact on them?

Seligman’s five pillars which, he says, support flourishing are; positive emotions (the happiness part), engagement, strong relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.

So, do expats generally experience more happiness/Positive emotions?

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