The technology of happiness has the goal of producing happiness, and renowned research psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman in his book Authentic Happiness has outlined a "technology" of happiness. The word technology refers to the general application of scientific method to the solving of practical problems.
For many years Dr. Seligman has studied the areas of optimism and positive psychology and identified key skills that can increase happiness. He calls this skill set a technology because its research based, reliable, and can be easily taught to anyone who wants to learn it.
Like many things in science, the technology of happiness is pretty much common sense, but now it is scientifically validated common sense. The basics are simple.
- First. Attitude matters. Our self-chosen outlook on life is important. A positive outlook is best.
- Second. The practice of being fully present in the moment enhances any enjoyable experience by allowing it to be savored.
- Third. Altruism or being kind to others brings meaning to life and having meaning gives purpose and brings joy.
- Fourth. Being grateful for what we have already increases our satisfaction with life.
The technological component of these four factors is that there are precise ways to practice them. We influence our attitude with the skill of focusing our inner dialogue on the positive while avoiding exaggeration of the negative. We practice presence by intentionally not distracting ourselves away from the moment with anticipation of or dread for what is coming next. Everyday we can look for ways to intentionally be kind to other people, which may be a simple as holding a door open for someone. And, gratitude can be increased when at the end of a day we purposefully review the good things we have experienced by recalling three things for which we are appreciative.
Research has validated these simple steps to a happier life and gives us a technology of happiness. However, the technology only tells us what to do with the assurance that it will succeed. We still have to do the work, and that is the hard part. Simple does not mean easy. Putting the technology of happiness into practice requires responsibility and only you can make yourself responsible.
Assume your responsibility, and decide to become a happier person.
Dr. Dan Johnston, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist affiliated with Mercer Health Systems in Macon, Georgia. For 20 years he was the Director of Psychological Services for a large metropolitan Medical Center and is currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science for Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Johnston's expertise is in stress management and resiliency training. He is the author of "Lessons for Living: Simple Solutions for Life's Problems" from Dagali Press and creator of the popular Lessons for Living Web Site (http://www.lessonsforliving.com).
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