Managing with Positive Psychology Gain access to new, simple workplace wellbeing practices that you can start implementing right away!

PresenterJason S. Potvin, PMP, MPM, CAPP

Creator of BrainAdvizor Inc., a specialty training consultancy solving corporate problems through professional development training and the science of positive psychology.

PositivePsychologyThe new scientific study of optimal human functioning, including the conditions and processes that can make it so.

Image Src.: www.BrainAdvizor.com

The Issue - Did You Know?

On any given week, more than 500,000 Canadians will not go to work because of mental illnessMore than 30% of disability claims and 70% of disability costs are attributed to mental illness.Approximately $51 billion each year are lost to the Canadian economy because of mental illness.

National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard)

Championed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), and developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and the Bureau de normalisation du Qubec (BNQ), the Standard is a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources focused on promoting employees psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors.

Psychology Mission- Early 1900s1. Cure mental illness2. Make life more productive & fulfilling3. Nurture talents & strengths

Psychology Mission- Post War1. Cure mental illnessesPTSDAnxietyDepression

The Negativity BiasEvolutionary tendency to

Over-scan forOver-focus onOver-react toOver-recall allnegative experiences

POLL. (SLIDE 6 - The Negativity Bias)What do you think the average ratio is between our negative thoughts to positive thoughts?

1:11:33:1 (CORRECT)5:1

BI-DIRECTIONAL CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPPositive Emotion

DIRECTIONAL CORRELATION RELATIONSHIPSUCCESS

Decrease of stress, burnouts, sickness & depressionIncrease in performance, engagement, retention Increase in customer satisfaction (internal/external)Increase of pro-social behaviour between staffIncrease in cognitive creativity and flexibility

Benefits for Project ManagersImplementing positive psychology related practices in the workplace can:

3Practical ways to increase workplace wellbeing

MINDSET

Image Src.: www.BrainAdvizor.comResearch Src.: Dweck, C. S. (1986)

People who hold a GROWTH mindset believe that abilities can be developed and that the brain, like any muscle, can be trained to grow with effortPeople who hold a FIXED mindset believe that their abilities are set in stone and no matter what they do this fact will NOT change.

FIXED v.s GROWTHImage Src.: www.BrainAdvizor.com

Ability to improve with proper investment of effort Clearer accuracy when estimating / forecasting Judgement is replaced by curiosity Self-fulfilling prophecies gain positive outcomes Improved resilience to failure (less rework required) Increased empathy to others with growth mindset

Benefits for Project Managers

1: Listen for the Judger2: Switch to the Learner (conscious choice)3: Challenge yourself (What can I learn from this?)4: Take action towards a Growth Mindset

How to Implement Growth Mindset

MINDFULNESS

What is MindfulnessMoment to momentnon-judgemental awarenessin the present.

[Image copyright of Time Magazine]

January 23, 2014

Mindfulness StudyDr. Ellen LangerCounter-clockwise

In 1979, Dr. Langer (Harvard) performed a study mindfulness demonstrated improved mental health, physical strength, cognitive abilities & youthfulness.

Employee #107, Chade-Meng Tan

Searching For Mindfulness

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Increases Self-Awareness & Self-Compassion Decreases anxiety and stress, blood pressure Increases immune system response Activates pre-frontal cortex & self-regulation Improves emotional, cognitive & behavioural flexibility Can significant help in shifting perspective

Benefits for Project Managers

Hugh Jackson on Meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW_k4qXbuCU

1: Audio guided 2: Listen to your breathing3: In a Mindfulness group4: Out in Nature on a break5: At your desk in your chair

How to Implement Mindfulness

3 MinutesPLAY ALL

marc.ucla.edu/mpeg/Body-Scan-Meditation.mp3

GRATITUDE

Increases Positive emotion & wellbeing Increases achievement Increases pro-social behaviour Increases the ability to be present and in the moment Increases the development of psychology capital Improves physiology (sleep + immune system)

Benefits for Project Managers

1: Be genuine / authentic2: Be personal & creative3: Be detailed with the process praise4: Be consistent

How to Implement Gratitude

Merci Marie-Hlne for all your help setting up this webinar for our PMI MTL community. Jason

Gratitude Roundtable

During weekly team meetings take the opportunity to implement gratitude by starting off the meeting with a simple gratitude round table practice.

Simply ask each attendee to briefly offer one good thing that happened that they are appreciative of at work.Image Src.: www.BrainAdvizor.com

Q & A

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