Flourish FM

Episode #33: How to harness self-reflection to do hard things, develop psychological richness and create optimal happiness, with Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener

Jan 2, 2024

Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, expert in positive psychology, discusses psychological richness, optimal happiness, and the importance of self-reflection in improving well-being. Topics include embracing negative emotions, asking provocative questions for growth, and prioritizing relationships for overall well-being.

54:09

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Episode guests

Robert Biswas-Diener

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Quick takeaways

Maintaining optimal happiness at an eight fosters peak performance in academics, career, and goals.

Psychological richness is nurtured through challenges prompting reflection and perspective shifts.

Provocative questions in coaching stimulate deep reflection, challenge beliefs, and enhance personal growth.

Prioritizing personal happiness is a crucial step towards holistic well-being and growth mindset.

Deep dives

Optimal Happiness and Achievement Oriented Domains

In the realm of achievement oriented domains, optimal happiness is found around the level of an eight on a happiness scale, rather than striving for a constant ten. Individuals who maintain an eight tend to outperform those constantly at nine or ten. This level of satisfaction with a hint of hunger for more seems to enhance performance in areas such as academics, career progression, and goal achievement. The balance between satisfaction and a drive for improvement fosters a mindset of growth and continuous development, leading to better outcomes.

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Balance of Happiness and Psychological Richness

22min

Exploring Psychological Richness and Optimal Happiness

4min

Embracing Psychological Richness

8min

Exploring the Significance of Reflective Practice in Coaching with 'Positive Provocation'

3min

Exploring Positive Provocation and Psychological Richness

12min

Prioritizing Relationships and Happiness for Well-Being

2min

We interview Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, a leading authority on strengths, culture, courage, and happiness, about his extensive research in these areas and his pioneering work in the application of positive psychology to coaching. We explore the concept of psychological richness and its practical implications for improving our quality of life, the distinction between happiness and optimal happiness, and why self-reflection and engaging in difficult things is so important for improving our well-being.

Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the “Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology” because his research has taken him to such far-flung places as Greenland, India, Kenya, and Israel. He has authored seven books, including the 2007 PROSE Award winner "The Courage Quotient," "Happiness," and the New York Times bestseller "The Upside of Your Dark Side," with Dr. Todd Kashdan, one of our first guests on Flourish FM. His most recent book is "Positive Provocation: 25 Questions to Elevate Your Coaching Practice," published in 2023. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed academic articles and chapters, two of which are “citation classics” (each cited more than 1,000 times).

Learn more and subscribe at flourishfmpodcast.com/robertbiswasdiener

Robert's website: robertdiener.com

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Time stamps:

01:49 - Optimal Happiness and Psychological Richness

03:09 - Defining Well-being and Happiness

04:42 - The Importance of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Aspects of Well-being