Summary
“Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being” by Martin Seligman is a book about positive psychology.
Martin Seligman is the father of Positive Psychology and in this book he explains how it came to be.
I felt that this book demystifies happiness.
Martin Seligman proposes using the term flourishing instead of happiness because the word happiness is too vague and everyone means something different when they say it.
To be honest, I’m not convinced that flourishing is a better term.
Regardless, the book gives you a clear framework on living your best life.
It is not always immediately obvious how EXACTLY to put it into practice, but if you use the PERMA approach the book offers, you will find that gradually your thoughts and your outlook on life begins to shift.
You will be able to achieve greater well-being and lead a more fulfilling life.
Key Insights
- PERMA Model: Seligman introduces the PERMA model, which stands for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. These elements contribute to overall well-being.
- Positive Emotions: Experiencing joy, gratitude, and other positive emotions enhances happiness.
- Engagement: Being fully absorbed in activities, often referred to as “flow,” increases life satisfaction.
- Relationships: Strong, positive relationships are essential for well-being.
- Meaning: Having a purpose or meaning in life contributes to long-term happiness.
- Accomplishment: Pursuing and achieving goals gives a sense of pride and satisfaction.
- Resilience: Building resilience helps cope with stress and adversity.
- Gratitude and Optimism: Practicing gratitude and maintaining an optimistic outlook can improve mental health.
My rating
- Easy to understand ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Practicality ⭐⭐⭐
- Convenience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Educational Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Verdict
“Flourish” is a comprehensive guide to achieving well-being and happiness.
I lowered the practicality score because it wasn’t always apparent to me how exactly you can use the information in your daily life.
For example, how do you find meaning?
That’s a tough one.
So, it’s not the author’s fault that this is the work that we, readers, need to do in order to make this book work.
Seligman’s insights are based on extensive research in positive psychology.
The practical advice and real-life examples make it a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their quality of life.
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