Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of Mind than outward circumstances.

1. Positive Psychology & H(app)inomics
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and qualities that enable
individuals and communities to prosper. Positive psychology has three aspects:
1. Positive emotions - Subjective
2. Positive individual traits – Individual and
3. Positive institutions - Group
Positive emotion is about contentment with the past, happiness in the present, and hope
for the future.
Positive individual traits refer to strengths and qualities, such as the capacity for love and
work, courage, compassion, resilience, creativity, curiosity, integrity, self-knowledge,
moderation, self-control, and wisdom.
Positive institutions is about studying the strengths that foster better communities, such as
justice, responsibility, civility, parenting, nurturance, work ethic, leadership, teamwork,
purpose, and tolerance.
Positive emotions lead to the pleasant life.
Is positive psychology the same as positive thinking?
Positive psychology is different from positive thinking in many ways.
Positive psychology is grounded in experimental and scientific study.
Positive psychology recognizes that in spite of the advantages of positive thinking, there are
times when negative or realistic thinking is appropriate, whereas positive thinking is about
being staying positive at all times.
Wealth is weakly related to happiness.
Activities such as shopping, good food and money – do not lead to fulfillment in the long
term, indicating that these have diminishing returns
Engaging in an experience that produces ‘flow’ is gratifying that people are willing to do it
for its own sake, rather than for what they will get out of it. People consider activity as a
reward.
Flow is experienced when one’s skills are sufficient for a challenging activity in the pursuit of
a goal. When we experience flow then our concentration is on being in the moment and in
this state self-awareness disappears and sense of time get distorted.
This is mindful engagement.

2. Trying to maximize happiness can lead to unhappiness
People who witness others perform well experience an emotion called ‘Elevation’ that
motivates them to perform their own deeds well.
Positive psychology is descriptive and not prescriptive
Positive psychology is descriptive, not prescriptive. It does not tell people which choices
they should make rather it is all about informing them what is known about the
consequences of their choices. The good life for one person is not necessarily the good life
for another.
Two dimensions across the Happiness continuum could possibly be:
1. Doing Well
2. Feeling Good
If you are doing well and feeling good, then you are FLOURISHING
If you are doing well and not feeling good, then you are most likely STRUGGLING
If you are not doing well and not feeling good, then you are SUFFERING
If you are not doing well but feeling good, then you are FLOUNDERING – settling
To feel contented in life we need to have
1. Positive Emotions - Happy
2. Engagement - Involvement
3. Relationships – Positive
4. Meaning – Purpose
5. Accomplishment - Success
Positive psychology is all about building on STRENGTHS. There is a strong connection
between well-being and the use of strengths because strengths help us make progress on
our goals and meet our basic needs for independence, relationship, and competence.
Examples of STRENGTHS related to:
KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM
1. Creativity
2. Curiosity
3. Love of learning
4. Wisdom / perspective
5. Open-mindedness
COURAGE & FIRMNESS
6. Bravery
7. Persistence

3. 8. Integrity
9. Vitality
HUMANITY & LOVE
10. Give & receive love
11. Kindness
12. Social intelligence
JUSTICE & FAIRNESS
13. Citizenship
14. Fairness
15. Leadership
TEMPERANCE
16. Forgiveness / mercy
17. Modesty / humility
18. Prudence
19. Self-regulation
TRANSCENDENCE / SPIRITUAL
20. Appreciate excellence / beauty
21. Gratitude
22. Hope
23. Humor
24. Spirituality
Happiness is a state of wellbeing or pleasurable experience.
Happiness is a collective phenomenon. People’s happiness depends on the happiness of
others with whom they are connected.
There are four happiness interferences:
1. Express gratitude
2. Smile more
3. Recall a pleasant event that happened
4. Perform an act of kindness.
It was found that all four interferences increased happiness, but the greatest increase
occurred among those who recalled a pleasant event from their past. They appeared to be
more excited enthusiastic & expressive.
Activities that enhance Happiness:
1. Meaningful Relations
2. Act of Kindness - Empathy
3. Physical Exercise or Activity
4. Attitude for Gratitude

4. 5. Appreciating & Relishing
6. Expressing creatively
7. Give more
8. Think Realistically
9. Enjoy Moments – Seek New Experiences
10. Live Mindfully
11. Treat Money as RESPONSIBILTY and Not a REWARD
12. Be You – Accept yourself the way you are.
So If you want your life to count then you have to take a count of your life.
Remember
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of Mind than outward
circumstances.
CA Vinod Kr Sharma
22-05-2017