Dr. Tammy Davis Marymount University June 6, 2014

Transcription

1 Dr. Tammy Davis Marymount University June 6, 2014

2 } Learning optimism at ages halves the rate of depression as children go through puberty. } Happy people show less burnout! } Students with learning goals take necessary risks and see failure as a chance to learn. } Highly successful people do not succeed by working on weaknesses; the emphasis is on using strengths. } Students with positive core self-evaluation will out earn their less positive peers by as much as 100%.

3 } To achieve success } To grow and develop in a healthy and vigorous way } To be in a state of activity or production } To prosper } Synonyms: Improving, growing, or succeeding steadily: booming, boomy, prospering, prosperous, roaring, thrifty, thriving. } Flourishing Pre-/Post-test

4 } Flourishing should be PERMA- nent! P = Positive emotions E = Engagement R = Relationships M = Meaning A = Achievement/Attitude

5 } 21 freshman just starting college } Selected the course among others } Had to do small activities to try to increase happiness } Took the Happiness Inventory (pre- and post) } Also worked on strengths (Strengths Inventory) } } Goal was to connect students to the University

6 } Positive statements } In a study of corporations, those with a 3:1 ratio for positive to negative statements are flourishing. } BUT, don t go crazy! Above a 13:1 ratio, you lose your credibility. } Not only SAYING positive things to facilitate positive emotions, but also helping them start to identify the positive. } Activity: Three good things/me at My Best/ Observation

7 } Students who are connected and engaged in meaningful activities are much less likely to exhibit risky behaviors. } Engagement fosters a sense of belong, responsibility, and control. } Activity: My Secret Good Deed

8 } Who do students connect with? } If not you, then WHO? } Ask, investigate, follow-through! } External support systems are an ASSET and give students HOPE! } Activity: Who Surrounds You?

9 } Students were asked to do six exercises that build positivity and happiness. } Forgiveness Letter } Gratitude Letter

10 } Goal-setting } Future/Forward-thinking } Activity: I.P.O.D.

11 } I Pick My Own Destiny Essential the students have some plan for the future and to plan for how they are going to recognize that plan.

12 } Help students identify a set of goals -Assess values and interests for low-hope students who have difficulty identifying goals. -Have students recall recent goals that were important to them } Rank order the goals in order of personal importance } Make sure students choose approach goals as opposed to avoidance goals. } Make sure the goal is for the student and not for others. } Establish the pathways to reach the goals (difficult for the low-hope student) } Goal-setting survey: Assess where students are

13 } Doors Activity } Practicing what I preached } Constantly praising and reinforcing when they did well } Having some fun!

14 } Focus on Happiness, Kindness, Forgiveness, Gratitude } Activities: Observation, Team-Building } Reflective Journaling Resulted in a 14% average increase in the happiness scores of students! Only 2 students did not return for Spring semester

15 } H = Hear their story } O = Offer a reframe } P = Praise their Strengths } E = Encourage expression of feelings } W = Walk the Talk } I = Inspire Compassion } N = Nurture Their Dreams } S = Self-Care

16 } Negativity breeds negativity } Where s your energy? } Where s your smile? } Who does complaining help? If we knew that hope and despair were paths to the same destination, which would you choose?

17 } What can you do to inspire each student to Flourish? } The best shot students may have at flourishing is your belief that they can. } What are you ready and willing to do????

18 Seligman, M.P. (2011). Flourishing: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York: Simon & Schuster. Snyder, C.R., Feldman, D.B., Shorey, H.S., & Rand, K.L. (2002) Hopeful choices: A school counselor s guide to hope theory. Professional School Counseling, 5(5), Pedrotti, J.T., Edwards, L., & Lopen, S.J. (2008). Promoting hope: Suggestions for school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 12(2),