Using a positive psychology coaching model instead of a normal coaching model for your practice really isn’t much different. If you’ve been taught through traditional coaching programs, don’t be scared away by positive psychology – it will fit in well with your current practice and it’s really not that much different from what you already do.

Positive psychology is an evidence based framework of coaching that aligns with what most coaches already do – it is now backed with science and numbers!

What is Positive Psychology?

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what gives meaning and purpose to life, and what makes creates happiness and satisfaction. It focuses on the positive attributes, strengths, and talents of individuals – it is concerned with human potential and the ability to turn that potential into achievement, success, and happiness.

How Does Positive Psychology Differ from Normal Coaching?

It many respects, the positive psychological coaching model is not much different than a traditional model of coaching. It is focuses on strengths instead of weaknesses. It concentrates on potential instead of disorders. However, the positive psychology coach model is about the science. Coaches must keep current with research, information and other positive psychology practitioners. When new empirical data and information is discovered, coaches have to adjust their coaching skills to fit the new data and research.

Positive psychology interfaces well with all other models of coaching. It works in every type of coaching field – life, wealth, health, sports, career, and more.

What is the Positive Psychology Coaching Model?

Here are a few of the critical keys to positive psychology coaching model:

• The model is based on strengths. Working to leverage an individual’s strengths and talents is the fastest way to reaching goals, dreams, and new found levels of happiness.
• Positive psychology works toward a vision. People with a sense of purpose, and strategies to achieve that purpose, are usually happier and more content than those who lack a purpose.
• Acknowledgement of the good in life is crucial to achieving a level of understanding and self-awareness.
• The ability to says “thanks” and have gratitude are important components of positive psychology, and an important ingredient in the quest for contentment and happiness.
• The positive psychology coaching model is all about identifying and developing strengths, enriching positive emotions, building hope and optimism, investing in positive relationships, and aligning goals, passions, motivations, and values.
• Clients work toward goals that are inherently satisfying instead of merely a means to an end. They also work on goals that are geared to what they want, instead of goals identified as things they don’t want!

Coaches who strive for excellence, and who are constantly seeking the best ways to find outcomes for their clients have begun to turn to positive psychology as an important coaching model. It offers them better opportunities to work on overcoming obstacles in a positive manner. It blends well with what they already do, offers empirical evidence to support theories and strategies, and concentrates on the positive instead of the negative.

Hope you took some great value out of this post today! I’d love to hear your feedback, so make sure you leave a comment with your thoughts or questions. And also, you can click on the Twitter button below to retweet this article… Thank you!

Fred Philips
Business Coach
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