Newsletter 11 - Positivity

In the past couple of weeks I've been telling you about how you can have a more positive outlook on events in your life by communicating consciously with your brain. I've also talked to you about how efficient your learning becomes when you have a positive outlook on life.

Now what? What can you do in your life, what changes can you implement or how can you fine tune what you're already doing in order to be grounded in a more positive vision of life and more resilient when faced with the unpleasant moments life sometimes throws our way?

As part of his work in Positive Psychology, psychologist Martin Seligman created the PERMA model, a framework for comprehending and attaining happiness and well-being.

What does PERMA stand for?

PERMA are the five essential elements individuals should focus on to enhance their general well-being and happiness.

• P for Positive emotions : experiencing positive feelings such as joy, gratitude, and love. Studies find that people who regularly experience positive emotions have better mental and physical health.

• E for Engagement : the experience you have when you're totally absorbed by what you're doing, you lose track of time, you lose yourself, you stop worrying and thinking about the real and mundane things that fill your brain. You're in a flow state.

• R for Relationships : building positive connections with others and experiencing a sense of belonging and support. Studies find that those who have strong social relationships tend to live longer and experience less stress.

• M for Meaning : When you have a clear purpose, you feel energized and motivated to keep going, even when things get tough. Some people find it through family, community, religion or helping others. It's all about recognizing your strengths and using them to serve a bigger purpose.

• A for achievement : setting and achieving goals, and experiencing a sense of competence and mastery. Studies have also found that setting and achieving goals can lead to a sense of accomplishment and improved self-esteem.

Where does the coaching come in?

What I would like to achieve in this newsletter is to plant a seed in your mind.

While the different elements of PERMA seem obvious, you might not have consciously sat down and thought of what makes you feel more fulfilled in these terms.

Now you know, you're aware and awareness alone can bring about big changes. And while working with a life coach can definitely help and speed up the process, you can already start bringing some changes in your life towards feeling more positive.

In the meantime, we can work together towards viewing your language learning in a more positive light for sure.

Here are some examples of evidence-based practices that can help you be more positive and feel better (mentally and physically)

• Mindfulness meditation - why not meditate in the language you're learning or want to improve on?

• Acts of kindness - kindness needs no language ;-)

• Positive self-talk - yes you can speak out during meetings

• Exercise - videos, music, podcasts, do it all in that language, the one you want to speak fluently and understand easily

• Savoring - think of the words and sensations that describe what you're eating, now think of these words in another language

• Social connection - talk and share experiences with people, in any language even if you don't speak it perfectly, who cares?

• Positive journaling - you could journal in that language too!

• Strengths identification and utilization - if you go on the links I recommend below, you'll find a test you can take to find your main strengths (in many different languages)