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Heart to HEART
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Heart to HEART

written by Jennifer Cory

The Collapse

First I was running…

In April 2010, in the midst of a long-distance run, I collapsed. Moments before I had been mid-stride in the 6th mile of a 9-mile run. Now I was on the ground, heart pounding, short of breath, and confused. Within seconds a small group of runners surrounded me. I heard their voices in the distance saying, “She must be dehydrated or over-trained.”

“Yes,” I reasoned with myself, “dehydrated.” I’d been training for this half marathon for a few months. “I must have overdone it on my sunrise runs.”

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then fifteen. The last remnants of other runners’ water bottles had been exhausted in an effort to rehydrate me. “I should have my bearings by now,” I thought, “or at least feel less shaky.” I tried to sit up but couldn’t muster the strength to get higher than my elbows. I didn’t have the dexterity to unzip the pocket of my wind-shell to reach my cell phone. More people came. More speculation and suggestions. Eventually someone dialed 911.

… Then I was on the ground

Twenty-five minutes after my collapse I was wheeled out of the back of an ambulance into the emergency room of a nearby hospital. Two EMTs had been unable to get a blood pressure reading as I lay in the street. They assessed the situation as critical and decided to perform a wrap-and-run operation rather than wait for medics. As the gurney burst through the emergency room doors, I heard the words “Code-blue in emergency!” announced over an intercom. I prayed that call wasn’t for me. Deep down I knew it was.

As I was whisked down the stark white corridor, there was an eruption of organized chaos all around me. I closed my eyes as a deep sense of exhaustion washed over me. Carla, a slim, 30-something-year-old nurse who had been running alongside the gurney with my left wrist squeezed between her fingers, grabbed my shoulder with her free hand and shook me with jarring force. “Jennifer, we need you to stay with us. Do NOT go to sleep! Do you understand me? Open your eyes. Jennifer, OPEN YOUR EYES! Stay with us!” she commanded. It took Herculean effort to fight the urge to drift off.

One minute I was slipping into oblivion surrounded by a flurry of activity in the critical care bay: orders shouted, clothes cut off (my lucky shorts!), blood drawn, meds pushed into two IVs, nasal cannula replaced by oxygen mask, the strange cold-wet sensation of defibrillator pads being placed, ECG leads and lines everywhere. The next minute, there was silence. The ECG monitor showed my heart rhythm trapped wildly in ventricular tachycardia, quivering at more than 300 beats per minute. It was as if a tornado had erupted inside my heart. “All clear!” was shouted. BAMB! Two hundred joules of energy exploded through my chest and into my heart. No one moved or uttered a word as they stared up at the ECG monitor intently. A normal sinus rhythm suddenly appeared. Everyone was waiting to see if this marvel of modern medical technology would stick. The fact that I survived intact from this 40-minute ordeal was considered a true miracle.

The Aftermath

Six days and two hospital transfers later, I was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare, genetic cardiac disease and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young, otherwise healthy people. Athletes are at particular risk for sudden cardiac death if they have this genetic anomaly. It is most often diagnosed via autopsy.

Click for larger view. 

An internal defibrillator was implanted, a machine the size of a deck of cards capable of delivering a shock similar to the one I received in the ER, to correct the likelihood of future tornados. Meds were given to limit the damaging effects of ordinary hormones on the heart. Epinephrine and norepinephrine were now potential killers. The damage already done could not be reversed, but modern medicine might slow the progression of this silent killer.

Since this is a genetic disease, my children and parents needed to be screened as well. My mother and my two teenaged sons were positive for the same genetic mutation. My mother died of a sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of doing screenings and planning next steps. My sons had to cease all sports immediately, a high price when you’re 16 with lifelong aspirations of collegiate sports. They will be closely monitored for the rest of their lives.

The Chronic Disease Club

Our world had changed. We were now members of the chronic disease club. Medicine saved my life. It could extend life for me and my sons. For this I was and am beyond grateful. But in the months that followed, coming to terms with my own condition and adjusting to my new life, I began to wonder about the quality of life of all the people in the world living with chronic and degenerative diseases, especially those who are less fortunate, less prepared, with less access to care. I felt sad that I had never really thought of them before. Now I couldn’t stop thinking of them, of us.

Chronic illness is a source of significant stress for those living with it and their immediate family members. The DSM classification handbook for mental health professionals identifies chronic illness as a precipitating feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Illnesses that create recurrent unpredictable threats to physical safety can induce feelings of helplessness and pose greater adjustment challenges over the lifetime of the illness than more stable and predictable diseases. Unlike acute illness, chronic diseases should be measured in terms of recurring events and stressors that compound over time. According to research, it is the accumulation of stressful events (big and small) that tips the scale in the direction of psycho-social difficulties.

Fred and Ginger

Imagine, if you will, that parallel to every other challenge that life throws at you (financial stress, relationship challenges, loss of a loved one, natural disaster, job challenges, moving), you are also navigating life with a chronic illness. This added stress becomes the breeding ground for psychological, social, and emotional drag. It’s life, only harder.

In the words of Bob Thaves, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did except backwards and in heels.” People with chronic illness navigate an added level of struggle every day.

What About Quality of Life?

 

While advances in medicine have extended life expectancy, the extension of life comes at a cost. Managing life with a chronic, degenerative disease can precipitate or worsen preexisting mental health issues. Think of cardiac disease, seizure disorders, neurological and autoimmune disorders. This is the reality for 133 million Americans, and billions of people around the world. According to Atul Gawande, “We’ve been wrong about what our job is in medicine. We think our job is to ensure health and survival. But really it is larger than that. It is to enable well-being. And well-being is about the reasons one wishes to be alive.”

My Mission

The gap that exists in medicine between extending life and supporting quality of life was my inspiration for studying positive psychology. It was also the focus of my MAPP capstone. In it I provide evidence of the need to address psychological, social, and emotional well-being with the same gravity used to treat illness and extend life.

ARVC provides examples of the challenges that individuals and families face living with chronic illness. My capstone provides evidence and strategies for preventing downward spirals and promoting resilience and well-being.

Jennifer’s initiative

The HEART Initiative, the manifestation of my capstone, is a social impact organization dedicated to helping people with chronic illness thrive. Using research and interventions drawn from resilience theory, applied positive psychology, and epigenetics, the HEART Initiative merges Hope, Engagement, Action, and Resources to cultivate Thriving.

As a practicing psychotherapist for more than a decade before my sudden cardiac arrest in 2010, I was well versed in helping people cope with depression, anxiety, bipolar and personality disorders, unhappy marriages, troubled teens, and trauma. I knew a lot about how to help people move from a -7, -8, -9, and even -10 to +1, + 2, or + 3. I felt honored to help reduce suffering in the world. Yet, I knew very little about how to help people thrive, and nothing about what it would take to thrive in the face of recurrent crises and trials from which there is presently no cure.

Living with a chronic, life-threatening illness poses many challenges. It is imperative that we provide those dealing with such a diagnosis the skills necessary to go beyond surviving to thriving. As a person living with a chronic illness, I want to live the best version of my life that I can. That is what I want for my sons. That is what all people living with chronic disease want: not only to survive, but to thrive. That is the mission of the HEART Initiative.

For more information about ways to get involved in the HEART initiative, such as donating to the initiative, click on the figure below.

Your support is valued!


 

 
References

Cory, J. (2015). Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: From surviving to thriving. MAPP Capstone, University of Pennsylvania.

American Association of Retired Persons. Chronic Conditions among Older Americans.

Fried, L. (2017). America’s Health and Health Care Depend on Preventing Chronic Disease. Huffington Post.

Gawande, A. (2014). Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. New York, NY: Metropolitan Books.

Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95.

Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719.

Tinker, A. (2017). How to Improve Patient Outcomes for Chronic Diseases and Comorbidities. Health Catalyst.

Turner, R. J., & Lloyd, D. A. (1995). Lifetime traumas and mental health: The significance of cumulative adversity. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 6, 360-376.

Picture credits
Runner Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash
Blood pressure Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Internal defibrillator courtesy of Blausen.com staff (2014). Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work.
Fred and Ginger dancing reproduced on page 67 of John Mueller: Astaire Dancing – The Musical Films of Fred Astaire, Knopf 1985, ISBN 0394516540
Picture of Jennifer at the European Conference on Positive Psychology courtesy of Elaine O’Brien

September 23, 2018 10 comments
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The 1-2-3 Method for Feedback
AllPositive Organizational ScholarshipTaking Action

The 1-2-3 Method for Feedback

written by Kathryn Britton

Frustrated by a review

Feedback is a gift, right? Yet I’m willing to bet that most people are anxious about getting feedback on their work. Here’s a sample of the responses I’ve heard people express after having their work reviewed: “Why didn’t he get it?” “Didn’t I do anything right?” “I just don’t have the energy to fix it.”

I often wondered if there were a way to give and get feedback that would make it really feel like a gift.

To find out, I started an experiment in 2013, inviting 8 writers to participate in a writers’ workshop using the approach described in Richard Gabriel’s wonderful book. He had used the approach with poets and software engineers. I figured it could work for change agents and entrepreneurs, in fact for anyone who wants to make writing less solitary.

 

Fast forward 5 years. With the help of 3 assistants, I have run more than 600 workshop meetings involving around 75 writers and reviewing nearly 1250 pieces of writing. The process works. It helps the reviewers give actionable feedback, and it helps the writers grow in confidence.

Not interested in writing? Before you turn away, consider what one participant wrote about participating:

“I love working with the Writer’s Workshop! I’ve gotten so much out of it. I’m better at giving and receiving feedback, and my writing is getting stronger.” ~ M. Scott Ford, Founder & Chief Code Whisperer, Corgibytes

Let me walk you through a review so that you can see the elements that could be reused in other feedback opportunities.

Setting the Stage

Making writing less solitary.

Let’s say we have an 850-word blog post by Jessica. The other three workshop members and I have all read it ahead of time to prepare our comments.

Jessica introduces the piece very, very briefly, “I want to publish it on my home improvement blog.” Then I invite her to become a fly on the wall and not speak again until the review is over. This liberates her to listen. Instead of needing to explain or defend what she wrote, she can hear how people experienced her piece. It’s hard to listen and mentally compose responses at the same time.

We do the review in three rounds. As the facilitator, I call on people (including myself) and jumble up the order so that the same person doesn’t always go first.

Round 1: ABOUT

In turn, reviewers describe how they experienced the work. For example: “This piece was about steps to take before starting a home improvement project,” or “This piece gave me a confidence boost to start working on getting my bathroom renovated.” These observations can be short summaries, statements of the major theme, or discussions of emotional impact. They are usually brief, and several reviewers may say roughly the same thing. If everybody takes away the same message, that’s great, so long as it was the message Jessica intended. If not, Jessica knows what to do. Round 1 helps her step outside her own point of view to observe how other people experience her work.

Round 2: STRONG

Each reviewer takes a turn answering the question, “What makes this piece of writing strong?”

Strengths sparkle

Here are some questions that help people look for what’s strong:

  • What really worked?
  • What did I really like?
  • What would I keep no matter what else changes in the piece?
  • What parts do I remember best?

The best feedback is very specific to the work. Contrast “Great work,” to “The way you demonstrated how to choose between different kinds of flooring was so clear and sharp that I’ll print it out to keep for the next time I remodel my kitchen.”

Of course, the focus is on the writing, not the writer. Contrast “You are a great writer,” to “The way you opened the post made me curious. I don’t always read past the first paragraph of blog posts, but I really wanted to know how things would turn out.” Reviewers might comment on the theme, the story arc, what gave the message power. They may read aloud particular sentences that they found eloquent.

Perhaps most important, the feedback offers insight into what’s good. Approval is great, but Jessica needs to know how the approval was earned so she can do it again. Contrast “You know a lot about home improvement,” to “You showed me how to sort through my ideas, who to get involved, and how to be sure I will still like my renovation after a few years.”

I’ve observed many occasions when people hear strengths in their writing that they didn’t even know were there. Jessica sees how her own style works. When she gets really topnotch positive feedback, she feels that she has really been seen. She is not just a person in a crowd.

This doesn’t always come easily to reviewers. Looking for strengths before looking for things to be fixed takes discipline because we’re all used to going right for the jugular. Here’s an observation of a workshop member quoted in Gabriel’s book (p. 128):

Many times I’ve reviewed a workshop paper where I really could not think of anything positive to say. I didn’t like the name. The solution didn’t work for me, etc. What always happens, however, is that when someone begins with a positive comment, I suddenly see lots of things I can add. This never fails and now I look forward to seeing this miracle happen. It says something about the power of good or the ability we all have to pull each other up.

Round 3: STRONGER

Each reviewer answers the question, “What, in my opinion, would make this piece even stronger?” That gives reviewers the chance to do what we all expect to do in reviews: add value by suggesting changes.

Which comments take root? Up to the author

But notice two things about the question: “in my opinion” is a reminder to both Jessica and the reviewer that Jessica can take or leave the comment. It’s her writing, and she is the one who decides what feedback to use. It also leaves the floor open for other opinions. It’s not uncommon for two reviewers to have conflicting opinions. Readers are not all alike.

Second, the question is about making it even stronger. Somehow that wording makes it easier to hear the comments because they are not aimed at fixing what’s broken, but instead making something even more effective.

Finishing the Review

Finally, we invite the author back into the circle to ask questions for clarification. Perhaps the author did not quite catch a particular suggestion while she was a fly on the wall. We have one rule for the author: no explanations allowed! The author can take or leave any comment made by the group. We don’t need to be told what Jessica meant it to mean. Either we saw it, or she has work to do.

What’s in it for Reviewers?

It’s not too hard to see what’s in it for writers. They get to watch the way their pieces are received, hear the strengths spoken out loud, and receive specific suggestions for improvement. But what’s in it for the reviewers?

Practice, practice, practice

Reviewers build their own skill by practicing and paying attention to what works. They recognize things done well, and they pick up new ways of making meaning. If they struggle to understand, they figure out ways to keep the needs of their own audiences in mind.

I took the article you are reading through a workshop.  One of the reviewers told me I forgot to mention that he gets to read really interesting pieces. He also likes seeing works in progress because it helps him accept the imperfections of his own early drafts. Going through a review implies being willing to revise.

Not Just for Writing

Make feedback a gift.

Several people have told me that workshop practice has helped them get better at giving feedback in all sorts of other situations.

So imagine applying this approach to any aspect of workplace performance. You’ve just observed someone giving a presentation, leading a meeting, testing a program, creating a strategy, organizing a team, or keeping track of status. Picture yourself using the three rounds: “This is what I saw. This is what’s strong about it. This is what would make it even stronger, in my opinion.” Perhaps you will become more skillful yourself by paying such close attention to the strengths of someone else’s work.

How could you use the 1-2-3 method to make feedback a gift at work or at home?

 

 

Reference

Britton, K. H. (2018). Write! Experiments to build skill and confidence in your own words. Script for workshop for the Canadian Positive Psychology Association conference workshop given 24 May 2018.

Britton, K. H. (2018). 7 experiments to liberate your voice. Handout for workshop for the Canadian Positive Psychology Association conference workshop given 24 May 2018.

Gabriel, R. (2002). Writers’ workshops & the work of making things. Addison Wesley. Available online.

Picture credits from Unsplash
Woman writing: Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash
Frustrated writer Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash
Sparklers Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash
Dandelion Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
Practice Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Gifts Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

September 10, 2018 0 comment
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A Tool for Building Your Professional Network
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A Tool for Building Your Professional Network

written by Kathryn Britton

A significant number of my coaching clients want to build their professional networks. To capture some of their reasons, let me start with the stories of Roger and Susannah, a hypothetical married couple.

Brainstorming about networking

Roger just got promoted to the next level on the technical ladder, which involves a substantial pay raise and a move to Albuquerque, NM. When his boss decided to nominate him for the promotion, she asked him for a list of 10 people from across the company who would support his promotion. Roger had the list ready for her within a day.

When they got to Albuquerque, Susannah wanted a job in a biotech lab. She put out the word to her network and heard back in a few days that a friend of a friend could introduce her to a director in a good lab.

How did Roger and Susannah build the networks that supported their career goals? Did this come naturally to them or is this a skill that can be learned? If your manager said to you, “Build your network,” would your heart sink, or would you know just what to do?

For some people networking comes easily. They gravitate towards meeting new people at conferences and work events. They collect cards and then actually do something with them. They are curious, so they ask questions. Afterwards, they remember what matters to the people they meet. But for the rest of us, building a strong network is a daunting prospect.

The “Build Your Network” Experiment

I’m a strong believer in experimentation. So, let me suggest an experiment to try if you decide you want to build your network to help you to expand your opportunities or have more influence in the job you already have.

I learned this technique from a human resources VP at IBM whose name I don’t remember. Yes, I know I lose networking points here. I wish I did remember her name because I’d like to thank her for an idea that has helped many of our clients at Silicon Valley Change make progress toward their career goals. My fellow coaches and I have suggested this approach to many clients. Our clients find that it breaks the daunting job of building a network into two much less intimidating activities.

The “Build Your Network” Tool
Step 1. Take Inventory
Set up three columns on a piece of paper or spreadsheet.

In the first column, list people that would greet you by name, for example in a meeting, or on your walk for a morning coffee.

In the second column, list people who know something substantial about the way you work. These could be people that you’ve worked for or that have worked for you, people from teams or task forces you’ve been on, or executives you’ve presented to. Think about all aspects of your work life to date. Include people outside the company such as clients you’ve helped or suppliers where you’ve managed the external relationship.

In the third column, list people who would be happy to be your champion. These are the ones that would already be ready to write you a glowing recommendation or speak out on your behalf. Your third column may be empty. That’s ok.

It’s a very simple spreadsheet, and pencil and paper works fine too. Here’s a blank copy you could download to get started. The image below shows the first start on an inventory made by someone working in a company of Smiths.

(Click to see larger view.)
Step 2. Take Action
Every 3 to 6 months, pull out your list and take the following actions.

  • Add new names as needed.
  • Figure out ways to move a few people from column 1 to column 2.
  • Figure out ways to move 1 or 2 people from column 2 to column 3.
  • Think about ways to keep people in column 3. Even your champions need an occasional touch to maintain the relationship.

Usually moving a person to a new column involves doing something that will contribute to that person’s success. It might involve making an introduction, sending information that person would find useful, volunteering to do something that would move that person’s project forward.

For further information, Give and Take by Wharton professor Adam Grant has many ideas about ways to be a smart giver. In a future article, I’ll explore more ways to move people from one column to the next.

This approach will help you keep track of your network and build it further, one person at a time. When it is time to ask for recommendations or job opportunities or any kind of help, you know the people to ask, and they are likely to remember you favorably.

Web of connections

How One Client Used This Tool

One client who is already very good at networking told me that every month he arranges a one-on-one with a peer in another part of the organization. He finds it harder to build and maintain relationships with people outside his reporting structure, so he makes a point of making contacts with people outside his group. During his one-on-one conversations, he keeps his ears open for the other person’s priorities. That enables him to recognize opportunities to contribute to the other person’s success.

You may find when you take inventory that your network is already richer than you thought it would be. You are also likely to find some relationships that need care and feeding.

I would be glad to hear what you think about these two steps and how you imagine using the Build Your Network tool.  Please share your thoughts and plans in the comments below.

 

References:
Britton, K. H. (2014). Think of it as an experiment. Positive Psychology News.

Grant, Adam. (2013). Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success. Viking Press.

 

 

Photo credits from Unspash
First networking photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Spider web network photo by michael podger on Unsplash

August 10, 2018 2 comments
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PPN Bites: “How can positive psychology help women with their body images?” by Carin Rockind (Episode 07)
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PPN Bites: “How can positive psychology help women with their body images?” by Carin Rockind (Episode 07)

written by Carin Rockind


Watch on YouTube

Hi, I’m Carin Rockind. Welcome to PPND Bites where we give you 60-second helpings of the positive psychology news you need to know. It’s summer and I know I wanna go hit the beach and maybe you do too but did you know that between 80 and 90% of all women dislike their bodies? I mean, hate their bodies. The question is can positive psychology help?

A research study of 318 participants where the participants took scores of self-efficacy, feminist ideology, ordered or disordered eating and positive or negative body image found that feminist ideology actually did support having a better body image and even more so, having self-efficacy, the belief that given your strengths, you can achieve your goals, self-efficacy highly predicted positive body image and lowered disordered eating. So, this is an opportunity for all of us to support others in having higher self-efficacy and feel great about themselves that they can hit the beach. With that, I hope that this helps you take a bite out of happiness. Bye for now.

 

Watch more episodes HERE.

References
Kinsaul, J., Curtin, L, Bazzini, D., & Martz, D. (2013). Empowerment, feminism, and self-efficacy: Relationships to body image and disordered eating. Body image, 11(1), 63-67.

July 10, 2018 0 comment
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Permission to Be Human: Tal Ben-Shahar (Part 2)
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Permission to Be Human: Tal Ben-Shahar (Part 2)

written by Lisa Buksbaum

On July 2, I published the first part of my report about Tal Ben-Shahar speaking to about 1000 people at at the illustrious Streicker Center at the Temple Emanu-El in New York City. Here is part 2, with the remaining 2 major points from his speech and some of the observations that came up during the question and answer period.

Editor’s note: I request permission to be human! At the end of part 1, we told you that part 2 would be published on Thursday, July 5. However I failed to keep the promise because I took a daylong vacation from my computer to celebrate my birthday. I had a lovely day disconnected from technology and connected to people. The weather has been so nice that I’ve spent my time outside.

4. It’s ALL About Relationships

Citing the World Happiness Study for 2018, Tal reported that the happiest countries in the world, including Denmark, Israel, Norway, and Australia, share two main indicators of well-being:

  • The ability to find the positive even in difficult situations
  • The presence of positive relationships amongst friends and family, co-workers and community groups

Playing Mahjong

For example in Denmark, one of the happiest countries, 93% of the population are members of social clubs or churches. They get together regularly for worship or recreation, such as playing MahJong or boating. In Israel, people form strong relationships in school and sports and spend quality time with family and friends observing holidays and the weekly Shabbat.

Online relationships do not provide the same upturn in positive emotions as the positive resonance experienced in person. New York University Sociology Professor Jon Kleinberg posits that the more time we spend on social media, the lonelier we’re likely to be.

5. Pay-if-forward

“You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.” ~ Anne Frank

Tal used the story of Anne Frank, hidden in an attic in Amsterdam for more than two years to avoid being taken by the Nazis, to remind us that we have a choice to be kind to others even when our personal situations are grim.

Giving benefits the giver

Paying-it-forward motivated me to launch Soaringwords, a global not-for-profit organization 17 years ago. My family had experienced three episodes of death and illness over the course of ten months. Gary, my only sibling died, my father had two bouts of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and my oldest son Jon was stricken with Rheumatic Fever and bedridden for four months. Instead of giving in to despair, I decided to take my experiences and create an organization that helps ill children, their siblings, parents, and the extended community learn how to take active roles in their own care. Soaringwords inspires ill children to pay-it-forward because this action facilitates transformative self-healing by focusing attention away from suffering and towards helping another person.

Tal confided to the audience that his favorite Hebrew word is NATAN. In Hebrew and in English NATAN is a palindrome, a word that is spelled the same when the letters are arranged forward or backwards. Natan means “When I give, I receive.”

How does money make you see the world?

Tal cited studies by Elizabeth Dunn and colleagues where students in a lab setting were given a nice sum of money and randomly divided into two groups.

The first group was told, “Spend the money on yourself. Buy yourself something nice… a new gadget, a new pair of shoes… whatever you want.” Naturally the students in the first condition experienced a shopper’s high: their happiness went up for that day and went down only slightly the next day.

The second group was given the same sum of money and instructed to “Spend the money on someone else.” The students in the second group also experienced an upsurge in happiness on the first day. The difference was that these students still reported an upswing in happiness one week later.

Questions and Answers

The question and answer session was moderated by the talented Julie Rice, WeWork’s Chief Marketing Officer. Julie and Tal took the audience behind the scenes to uncover the powerful benefits of exercise, reframing, and legacy. Here are some of the highlights from this riveting part of the program.

The Wonderful, Undeniable, Powerful Impact of Exercise on Well-Being.

Julie Rice and her partner, Elizabeth Cutler, built Soul Cycle into a successful company with 47 locations with a loyal following. They bucked the conventional wisdom of hard-core gyms which can seem competitive and intimidating. When people arrive at Soul Cycle, they feel embraced by an energized community where instructors are motivational and nurturing and everyone is appreciated for his or her own ability. According to Julie, “We were familiar with the research of Michael Blumenthal and colleagues at Duke Medical School that showed how exercising three times a week has the same as psychotropic drugs to reduce depression. Exercise (and community) cause a powerful natural reaction to occur releasing positive natural chemicals into the brain that help regulate mood, such as serotonin.

Tal and Julie both brought up the research by John J. Ratey demonstrating that physical exercise reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease by 52%. The mental benefits of exercise far outweigh the physical benefits. Exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress and enhance vitality.

He Lives What He Says

In addition to being a principal contributor in several positive psychology institutions, Tal is also a social entrepreneur. He co-founded Potentialife to “bring the science of flourishing to the world.” The company runs several not-for-profit programs including programs on positive psychology in schools throughout Israel.

Back in 2012, Soaringwords was invited to collaborate with Zumba® Fitness and invite instructors to lead free monthly classes in hospitals around the world. I met Tal at the Global Zumba Instructor Convention where he was the inspirational keynote speaker for 9,000 Zumba leaders.

Tal and Zumba enthusiasts

Here is a photo from our first meeting at the Zumba Instructor Convention. The following summer, Tal agreed to emcee a Soaringwords’ program at the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) World Congress the following summer.

Tal and Barbara Fredrickson were the emcees at the IPPA celebration where 300 people paid-it-forward by making SoaringSuperhero® puppets for hospitalized children and then enjoying a Zumba Master Class led by the fabulous Marcie Benavides and DJ Francis.

Tal with Parents at Graduation

Honor Your Mother and Father.

Tal cites his mother and father as the inspiration for a life of gratitude, service, and positive relationships. “My siblings and I did not have an easy life, but we always felt that our parents loved us and valued us. My parents put an emphasis on education so we all felt that we really mattered. When I taught the Positive Psychology course at Harvard I saw how students from all walks of life are striving for meaning and purpose, as well as relationships, and happiness.”
 

 
References

Ben-Shahar, T. (2009) The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start Living a Richer, Happier Life. New York: McGraw Hill.

Ben-Shahar, T. (2014). Choose the Life You Want: The Mindful Way to Happiness. The Experiment: Reprint Edition.

Anderson, A., Huttenlocher, D., Kleinberg, J. & Leskovec,J. (2012). Effects of user similarity in social media.

Blumenthal,J. A., Smith, P. J., & Hoffman, B. M. (2012). Is exercise a viable treatment for depression? ACSM’s Fitness Journal, 16(4): 14–21. doi: 10.1249/01.FIT.0000416000.09526.eb

Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2018). Prosocial spending and happiness: Using money to benefit others pays off. Current Directions in Psychological Science.

Dunn, E. & Norton, M. (2013). Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending. Simon Shuster.

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Photo Credit: Flickr via Compfight with Creative Commons Licenses
Playing Mahjong courtesy of Immagini 2&3D

Gift of tomatoes Photo by Elaine Casap on Unsplash
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
The remaining images are used courtesy of SoaringWords.

July 9, 2018 1 comment
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