Following our gifts is a masterpiece work in progress.
Get inspired by Dr. A’s curated collection of resources selected to help you discover your strengths, find meaning and live a more joyful life.
Whether you love a good podcast, need some material for your Sunday morning coffee or want to dig deeper with a good book, we’ve got you covered.
Watch:
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The Test That Reveals Your Hidden Strengths
Why it inspires: Laurie Santos, Associate Professor of Psychology at Yale University, goes deep on Character Strengths with this time-efficient overview.
When it might best progress your journey: Consider this Happy Life 101.
Time commitment: 7 minutes
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The Extraordinary Power of Kindness
Why it inspires: BBC Ideas explores the significant impact some of your “soft” skills can have on the world.
When it might best progress your journey: Did you just learn Kindness is one of your top 5 character strengths? Watch to learn more about your gift and its transformational power.
Time commitment: 7 minutes
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The Science of Character
Why it inspires: Great, accessible primer on character attributes that define human strengths.
When it might best progress your journey: Good at the beginning to understand how your brain filters the “who we are” question.
Time commitment: 10 minutes
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The Power of Words
Why it inspires: The stories you tell chart the outcomes of your efforts.
When it might best progress your journey: Anytime you need a reminder of how powerful a new perspective can be.
Time commitment: Less than two minutes
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Neuroplasticity
Why it inspires: Good, simple description of how the brain works and how it can evolve with a simple shift in perspective and new habits.
When it might best progress your journey: Can we change the way we’ve historically responded to things? The scientific answer is YES.
Time commitment: Less than two minutes.
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Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life
Why it inspires: Discover how to develop your specific strengths and recognize these strengths in others.
When it might best progress your journey: When wanting to learn more about character strengths or how to apply them to your life.
Time commitment: Essay collection to read over time. 6-8 hours
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Happiness Unpacked: Positive Emotions Increase Life Satisfaction by Building Resilience
Why it inspires: The drive to understand what elicits positive emotions in your life isn’t about passing moments but rather the cumulative impact they can have on your long-term success and wellbeing.
When it might best progress your journey: It’s always a great time to learn how positive emotions can improve every aspect of your life.
Time commitment: 15 minutes
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Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing
Why it inspires: Learning from the OG of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman gives you a solid foundation of understanding its potential.
When it might best progress your journey: If you are interested in the history of Positive Psychology and the field’s contributions to a paradigm shift from focusing on pathology, mental illness, and weakness to the study of what makes life worth living, improving well being and increasing joy.
Time commitment: 10-12 hours
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Positivity
Why it inspires: Dr. Fredrickson gives both insight and incentives on how practicing positivity nurtures creativity, innovation, and wellbeing. She also shares stories about the impact of positivity specifically on the workplace, one of Dr. A’s passions.
When it might best progress your journey: When seeking an understanding and appreciation between the scientific evidence and practical application of positive psychology.
Time commitment: 8-10 hours
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Reflections on Positive Emotions and Upward Spirals
Why it inspires: The word spiral is reimagined, when people are able to spiral upward with increased psychological resources, creativity, and life satisfaction.
When it might best progress your journey: If you are considering reading Barbara Fredrickson’s book Positivity, this introduces the idea of broaden-and-build theory of positive emotion that is central to her research.
Time commitment: 15 minutes
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Making Positive Psychology Work
Why it inspires: Michelle McQuaid’s genuine love and passion for all things Positive Psychology is a joy. She has access to thought leaders in the field and makes meaningful contributions.
When it might best progress your journey: When looking for inspiration about how to bring out your best in yourself and others at work
Time commitment: 30-45 minutes per podcast
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The Science of Happiness
Why it inspires: Hosted by award-winning professor Dacher Keltner each episode is geared to help us learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe.
When it might best progress your journey: Useful as you are creating a game plan for how to turn your new learnings into a your version of a happy life.
Time commitment: 20 minutes per podcast
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Character Strengths Podcast
Why it inspires: Helpful perspective on each character strength.
When it might best progress your journey: This is a great resource early in the discovery of your gifts and can be useful after you get the results from your VIA survey.
Time commitment: 6 minutes per podcast highlighting each character strength
