Image courtesy of Mind & Its Potential
Dr Suzy Green is a registered psychologist specialising in clinical and coaching psychology, and is considered a pioneer and leader in the field of positive psychology. Besides featuring in the media on a regular basis she is also a co-founder of the Positive Psychology Institute, which offers consulting, coaching and clinical services to individuals, educational institutions and organisations. ntpages caught up with her ahead of an appearance at Mind & Its Potential, a gathering of world leaders in science, education, psychology and the arts.
How should I start my day?
"A few moments in mindfulness and quiet reflection to clarify your intentions for the day and get your mind into gear."
How can I ensure I utilise my mind to its maximum potential?
"Keep it fit! Regular meditation and physical exercise are two of the non-negotiables for mental fitness."
What is the key to having a positive approach?
"Being mindful of your ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) and then choosing to not buy into them! Ask yourself "how do I need to be thinking to do, be and have what I desire?"
How do I identify my strengths?
"Monitor your week and notice the times you feel truly authentic and energised. This will be a good indicator of strengths use. Alternatively try tools such as the VIA Character Strengths Assessment or Realise2 for a broader identification of realised and unrealised strengths."
How can I ensure I "flourish"?
"According to Seligman, the key factors of a flourishing life are identified through the model PERMA – positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment."
What are the most common stress triggers?
"Too much to do in too little time! Also nothing worse than financial worries at three am in the morning."
What stress busting tips can you share with us?
"Bookend your day with a five minute mindfulness practice. Exercise a minimum of three times a week for 40 minutes. Practice kindness and gratitude on a daily basis!"
Tell us a little bit about anxiety and how this influences our self esteem.
"Anxiety is a clinical disorder which can be caused by a variety of triggers. It also has a genetic component. Self-esteem is the way we feel about our selves. If we are worried most of the time, we most likely don't feel like a confident person who can handle what life throws at us. Hence our self-esteem can be affected by anxiety and vice versa if we suffer low self-esteem we often worry a lot about a lot of things including how others perceive us!"
Mind & Its Potential 2011 takes place at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney 7 - 8 November 2011.
Originally published on Oct 05, 2011
