|
Who's Your Aristotelian Friend?
|
|
Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
Do you have an Aristotelian friend?
The concept is just one of many new things I'm learning about at Penn's Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program.
Read on to find out how you can work with this Aristotelian buddy to become more virtuous.
While you're at it, find out just how much grit you have - a predictor of how likely you are to succeed at certain goals.
And finally, with the holidays coming, time to practice getting more sleep.
Here's to more balance - and positive mood - in your life!
Pat
|
|
|
Want Virtue? Grab an Aristotelian Friend
 Ever find yourself wanting to want something in your life but you just can't kick up enough desire?
Exercise, for example. You want to want to go to the gym, but gee. It's raining. You're tired. You just don't have the will.
Enter the Aristotelian friend - a buddy who can help you develop the strength of will to focus your attention on that thing you want to want.
How does this work? Have your friend ask what you want to want and how much you want it on a scale of 1 to 10. Say you're at a 2. Then have the friend ask you what would make you want it more - again and again to move you up the scale. If you're stuck, the AF can ask if something, e.g., knowing you'd sleep better, would make a difference. That may inspire you to think of more things that would make you want it more.
If it's exercise you want to want, try doing the exercise in person or on the phone with your AF at the gym. Happy to report it got me on the equipment in 10 minutes flat!
|
|
How's Your Grit?
Once we've set long-term goals, it takes perseverance, or grit, to keep moving toward them even in the face of failures and setbacks.
Positive psychologists have developed a scale to let you know just how much grit you've got. Not surprisingly, it's called the Grit Survey.
Studies suggest that achievement comes not only from talent but the gritty use of it. To test your own grit at no charge, go to Penn's Questionnaire Center. It's listed under Engagement Questionnaires. If the results are on the low side, how can you ramp up your courage?
|
|
Leash Law Number 34: Sleep, Blessed Sleep
 Sleep can contribute to a more balanced life. Just how much sleep you need for optimum health is an individual question, but the National Sleep Foundation provides a wealth of information to help you analyze your sleep needs and habits and those of your family. Check out everything you need to know about good sleep at their website.
This is one of 74 leash laws offered in Pat's book, The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life.
Copyright 2011 Pat Snyder
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAT WINS
ALTRUSA
LITERACY AWARD
|  |
The Altrusa International of Columbus Club has honored Pat with its 2011 Literacy Award for her writing including her column "Balancing Act" that has appeared in suburban newspaper around Columbus since 1999.
Altrusa is a group of professional women that network and collaborate to explore and support needed community endeavors throughout Central Ohio.
WELD CALENDAR LAUNCH NOVEMBER 9
Pat's among the 2012 "Twelve Women You Should Know" calendar honorees named by Women for Economic
and Leadership Development (WELD)
Each year, WELD recognizes central Ohio women who have lived the WELD values by being leaders within their organizations and supporting other women.
The calendar will be launched at a reception Nov. 9.
Details and a complete list of calendar honorees here.
|
|
|
