Making Australia Happy

Dr Hase & I (Simon Phin) have over recent years in our work been convinced, by the evidence we see before us, that the ability to deal with the obvious challenges in life successfully is a result of our own well-being. In short, our ability to see the glass half full rather than half empty.

Those people who choose to take ownership of their life and the manner in which they go about life, seem to ‘bounce back’ quicker than those who don’t take this ownership (conscious or sub-consciously). Thus the work of Dr Anthony (Tony) Grant, Director of the well-respected Coaching Psychology Unit at the University of Sydney has led to the ground breaking study and series, ‘Making Australia Happy’.

In the late 1990s, happiness became "the new black". Pioneered by American psychologist Dr Martin Seligman, the emergence of Positive Psychology marked a shift away from the disease model of traditional psychology (i.e. treating dysfunction) to "the science of optimal human functioning". Since then, a vast amount of international research has emerged exploring the value of positive emotions, positive traits (or character strengths) and positive social institutions (eg, families, schools, workplaces, communities). In ‘Making Australia Happy’ Dr Tony Grant touches on these pillars of positive psychology and road-tests a series of evidence-based strategies.

What is brilliant about the series is that it was and remains, easily watchable. Globally it is a first. For all of us there is something within us that we know we can improve upon. The question is, ‘are we prepared to act on it’?

Do something now, go to the site and watch the three episodes of the series. It’s free and it won’t hurt a bit. It might even help you.

http://makingaustraliahappy.abc.net.au/