Task:
In this assignment, you will utilise qualitative feedback provided by others who know you well, about you at a time when you have been at your best (your "best self)
Aim:
The aim of this assignment is to promote self-reflection and mindfulness by identifying areas of personal strength and building positive self-perception. While it concentrates on 'best-self, it should be recognised that ' ideal or not so positive' moments am integral to developing a picture of one's self and in building resilien - this assignment should not be viewed as the entire self-portrait, even though it is a critical component
Length:
• Who am I at my best?
• How do I define best, and how do others define best? How do I reconcile any inconsistencies between how I define best, and others define it?
• What are the commonalities and inconsistencies across the different stories?
• Whose feedback matters most, and why?
• Are there any new insights gained from the RBS exercise? (i.e. I did not think about this)
• What has been reinforced about me because of the RBS? (i.e. I thought this about myself. but it's good to know its validated by others)
• What are the enablers and barriers to being my best self both personal (such as behaviours, beliefs, thour. cognitions), and situational (such as organisational systems, practices, routines) etc.
Finish your reflection section with a "Best Self Vision Statement". This statement takes into account yr analysis. As you write, think about the following questions:
• Given my RBS analysis, what strengths and capabilities can help me tap my potential?
• What makes me unique and what do I want my contribution to be?
• What standards will I use to define success in rny professional life?
• How will I need to organise my life to live up to these standards? What are the trade-offs?
Conclusion (approx 200 words): Your paper should conclude with a brief review of the structure of the report, method, findings and reflections. References: (not included in the word count) At the end of your assignment, provide a reference list of your references according to Harvard UTS referencing conventions. You may refer to the following Harvard UTS referencing guide: http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/help/referencing/harvard-uts-referencing-guide
Appendices: (not included in the word count) Your appendices should include your FULL RESULTS TABLE (showing theme name and tally counts for all themes)
Original source data (emails from your respondents): You must also provide your original source data - all your emails frorn your respondents showing email addresses, dates etc., as part of the appendix.
Layout: Your report should be formatted for A4 paper size, with double-spaced text and 2.5 centimetre margins. The text should be in a 12-point Times New Roman font and left-aligned. Pages should be numbered, with the numbers appearing in the bottom right-hand corner of the pages.
3000-3500 words (0 / - 10./.) words (Excluding References and Appendices).
Please provide the final word count on the cover sheet of your assignment.
Details:
Some of the world's leading positive psychologist and organisational development experts developed the Reflected Be. Self (RBS) exercise. making it a powerful. well-designed .
1 for learning. RBS is one of the most powerful exercises for developing a deeper level understanding of one's own strengths and virtues required for developing 'leadership capabilifiesi. The exercise is both challenging and insightful and its completion requires a series of steps. Notes:
The exercise will require you to receive feedback from people who know you well. You should be aware that these people will be sharing a story about you. These stories will serve as the backbone of your paper. At first. you may feel awkward or uncomfortable doing this. but you will find people are usually willing to share their ideas about yon
Directions:
1. Print out and read all of the 24+ stories received via email from your colleagues. As you read the responses, highlight keywords and phrases that represent your strengths. Then. start developing some notes of common themes emerging across all responses (these themes represent your STRENGTHS)
2. You should also make notes on those things that surprised you about how people see you. and those things that Ad At surprise you as much. This information will be useful later when you write your reflection.
3. As you do your analyses. develop a table (this will be your FULL RESULTS TABLE) of all the themes/strengths that emerge from your data. Use dally count system to count up the number of occurrences for each theme in your data. and record this on your table.
4. Once this is finished. you should decide HOW MANY STRENGTHS/THEMES you think are important enough to include El your SUMMARY TABLE in your report. If you only have a few counts on your tally. you might want to consider if this is really a STRENGTH or not.
5. Referring to the VIA framework. record your KEY STRENGTHS in your final report in the Findings section via your SUMMARY RESULTS TABLE. This table is included in your word count and HA have three columns:-
• "Emergent themes" - the KEY themes (strengths) that emerged from your data analysis:
• "Specific statements" - Examples/quotes from your respondents that represent each theme (you should airn for 3-4 quotes at least)
• "My interpretation"- You should include here your interpretation of each of your themes (so. one interpretation entry per theme. not one interpretation entry per example/quote!)
Now, write up your assignment (word counts below are a rough guide only):
Introduction (approx 300 words): Provide an introduction where you offer an overview of the structure of your report including your literature BIN BUN method. findings. reflection and conclusion.
Critical literature review (approx 1500 words): Write a critical review of the literature on Positive Psychology and strengths and the RBS exercise. You could start with the relevant references from the lecture in week 2. Your review must critique the articles provided as well as covering the literature on STRENGTHS and the RBS.
Method (approx 300 words): Your method section should describe your process of sending emails. number of emails sent. responses received. a description of who your respondents are. how you decided theme names. HER you decided which themes were "KEY THEMES" and how the responses were analysed.
Findings (approx 700 words): Your findings section should provide an overview of the key themes revealed along with examples. This section should include your SUMMARY RESULTS TABLE. summarising your key themes according to the three columns outlined in (5) above.
Reflection (approx 500 words): In your reflection section. you should evaluate your findings (do not reflect on your findings in the "Findings" section!) Discuss your internal reaction to the process, including how this process might have changed you. along with ideas about how you might further develop or leverage the strengths have been revealed through the process. As you complete this part. it is good to reflect on the following in your answer (These questions were developed by Laura Morgan-Roberts and her colleagues at Michigan University's Centre for Positive Organizational Scholarship). you do not need to answer all these questions. but give them some though.
Assessment task 1: Individual Report
Introduction
Positive Psychology and practice of Reflective Best Self have become very significant to lead a valuable life and to develop a wise person. The modern people have stress and tension in their regular life that may compel them to think negative. The exercise of positive psychology and RBS can help them to feel and think positive and support them to make a life most worth living. This paper deals with the concept and ideas of positive psychology and in this paper a critical literature has been made based on the theories and opinions of the psychologists and researchers. In the methodology part, the psychological resources with the feedbacks from the known people have been collected to analyze the strengths and positive emotions of the respondents. The respondents are mostly the young enthusiastic people who have shared their life experiences regarding the positive emotion and positive thinking and the RBS exercises. The finding section provides an overview of the main theme along with the relevant real examples. The summary result tables have been included in this section. The findings have been thoroughly evaluated in the reflection section. I/ The student have tried to discuss my internal reaction and the experiences catering to the process. The process of the discussion and the valuable ideas, concepts, and significance of positive psychology has made a change in my/student's thought process. Developing strength and virtues is the most essential necessity of an individual person. The positive psychology and proper exercise of Reflective Best Self can be a great help in developing strength and virtue in a human being. By the grace of this strength, virtue, and talent he must be confident in all the performances and this can lead him to achieve success in life as he can do the best and make a crucial decision (Lopez, Pedrotti and Snyder, 2018).
Critical Literature Review
Positive psychology refers to the scientific study which can help the human beings to make life most worth living. The scientific analysis regarding the positive human roles and functions in flourishing on different levels including personal, social and biological is included in the positive psychology. The concept of positive psychology focuses on ‘good life' or ‘eudaimonia' which reflects the great value in life. There are some factors which contribute to a fulfilling life with great value at its level best. Positive psychology has entered into the domain of psychology since 1998. It has been chosen as the theme for his term by Martin Seligman, the President of the American Psychological Association. This concept has contributed a lot to the humanistic movement. It has played a role of giving reaction against the behaviourism and psychoanalysis. The psychoanalysis and behaviourism mainly focus on the mental distortion and illness. Hence, naturally, the dysfunctional behaviour and negative thinking of human being are emphasized by this psychoanalysis and behaviourism. But, on the contrary, the practice of positive psychology encourages happiness and positivity in human nature. An overall well being of the human psychology and behaviour creates the foundation of positive psychology (Rashid, 2015).
Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi have dealt with the theory of positive psychology. Seligman's P.E.R.M.A and theory of Flow by Csikszentmihalyi made a major contribution to the study of positive psychology. Besides these, the ‘Character Strength and Virtues' is another theory developed by both Seligman and Peterson regarding the study of positive psychology. In these theories, various ways have been suggested by the positive psychologists about how to foster individual happiness. The relationship with the spouses, family members, friends and extended networks are very important. The working places, clubs or the social organizations can help in developing healthy human relations. The physical exercises and practicing meditation can be the effective contributors in developing the positive psychology suggested by the scientists and the researchers. The steady financial growth and income also may be a source of positive psychology. Seligman and Peterson have focused that the positive psychology can be influenced by the positive emotion, positive individual character traits, and the position institutions. Past can influence the present happiness and present state of mind can also cast an impact on the future hope. They also opine that the individual strengths and virtues are dependent on the individual traits and state of mind. Positive institutions can be helpful to develop the strength of a better community of human beings. However, according to Peterson, there are four topics are involved in the study of positive psychology. They include positive experiences, positive relationships, positive individual psychological and characteristic traits and positive institutions. These can extend help to the human being to gather mental strength to fight all the troubles and challenges in life. Peterson states, different states regarding pleasure, values, virtues, talent are the matter of interest of the psychologists and researchers. The researchers also point out the social systems and social institutions which promote the positive psychology (Steve, 2016).
RBS stands for Reflected Best Self Exercises. This refers to the feedback looking for the exercises which can help the individual person to point out and recognize his /her own strengths and talent. It is very important for the practice of developing the personal positive psychology. University of Michigan's Centre for Positive organizations has conducted various researches on the Reflected Best Self Exercise. The researchers have accumulated many life experiences of the people comprising their belief and ideas on how to understand and realize the personal self-identity and strength and what the very person can contribute to his own life at his best. This process of self-analysis can provide strength to the individual people. The human connection and relation, as well as the experience clarity, can be developed and improved by the RBS exercises. The potential respondents can be identified by the process of step-by-step RBS exercise. The personal development goals can be refined by these exercises suggested by the researchers of the Michigan University. The researcher has advised creating one's priority best- self-portrait for giving the feedback. Creating this kind of RBS portrait can suggest them to lead a good life of great value. The best self-portrait can be effective and contributing to building self-confidence and making decisions. There is a difference between the self-best portrait and weakness based self-portrait shown by the researchers.
The personal origins of our beliefs and convictions can differ from person to person or situation to situation but all of them should lead a good life. According to researchers now the time has arrived to deal with positive psychology for the personality development of every individual. The positive psychology is not the study of weaknesses and mental damages but also the study o virtue and strength of human beings. American psychologist Fredrickson A fresh theoretical perspective on the positive emotion has been discovered in the new field of positive psychology by the American psychologist Fredrickson (Proyer et al., 2015).
The nature of positive psychology is to complement. It does not intend to replace or ignore anything of the traditional psychology. This field of studies helps to emphasize on the positive human development and the development of the personality by focusing on the positivity of all kinds in a thought process. The positive self-esteem and positive self-image can foster this positivity. The people must have to find out the sources of happiness. The possible goals have been identified by Seligman and other researchers and scientists. Families, schools, and workplaces should be supportive to provide satisfaction and high productivity for each and every person. For this, pathological thoughts should be minimized which arises in a disturbed mind. The positive psychologists emphasize and encourage the people to accept optimism and zest from the present time to make a bright beautiful future. A feeling of optimism and contentment can surely make a soul full of energy and activities. The previous researches and the findings of this paper can help to derive that pleasure in the life of an individual (O’Connor et al., 2017).
Method
I have sent emails to my friends for gathering their feedback on the topic of how they can develop their positive psychology and if they practice the Reflected Best Self Exercises. They have given and shared their ideas and the self-concept through the reply of the mail. I have mailed seven of my friends asking for their feedback. The names of my friends are ) Kunal ameta, 2) Adhiraj singh, 3) Manvendra singh balot, 4) Pradhyuman singh Bhati, 5) Shobhit Patel, 6) Atul Sharma, 7) Mahesh Singla. Most of them have discussed many stories from their lives. Many of them have been trying to think positive in their life so that their activities and feelings do not get harmed by any negativity. I had sent emails to seven of my friends and I got answers from 5 of them. The answers were received and analyzed by different theories on the positive psychology and RBS exercises of various researchers. The respondents are generally young and enthusiastic men and women my age. They are mostly pursuing their studies and some of them do jobs in companies. Among all the feedback from Atul Sharma has been very significant as he mentions the source of his mental strength very clearly. He has mentioned that his social relations have been improved by joining the tennis club and social networking sites. His academic institutions have helped him a lot to develop his personality and identity. He has a clear picture of the best self-portrait by which he can gain confidence and reasoning. The best self-portrait model assists Atul and he gets inspired and motivated in his works and duties of life. He possesses an overall good relationship with all of his friends, neighbours, and people of the extended network. He can derive pleasure from all the works he does in daily life (Lee, Cable and Staats, 2014).
Findings
| Key Strengths/ Themes | Number of occurrences |
| Considered to be a good motivator which is a good and extraordinary quality. | He motivated his friend Pradhyuman Singh for being passionate and also motivated his one friend in Sydney. In one of the stories, it has been mentioned that he creates a positive environment around him which also counts to be motivated. So all together Three times he has been given the personality of being a motivator. |
| Trustworthy, this is the second quality of which Pradeep has been praised for by his friends. | He has been called trustworthy by Adhiraj Singh and by three of the other friends has also mentioned him to be trustworthy and helpful. |
| The quality of a concerned person, that is being cared has been mentioned by his friends. | In almost all the stories, each of his friends has, mentioned that Pradeep is a CARING person which also resembles that he is a Good Human Being. |
| Adaptability and Flexibility are the most attractive qualities mentioned for Pradeep. | About three of his friends has mentioned that Pradeep adapts up the situation and the environment quite easily which shows his flexibility character and the unique quality. |
| Presence of Mind is another distinguishing quality of Pradeep. | Four of his friends has mentioned that he has a good and accurate presentation of mind which makes him a balanced and easy to be human or friend. |
| Passionate about his dreams and hobbies. | Almost three of Pradeep’s friends commented that they found him quite passionate which is a rare thing to be noticed nowadays. |
| Punctual is a unique and a thing which is not seen nowadays easily. | Though only one of Pradeep’s friend has mentioned this quality, still it is a notable quality. |
Table: Results of research
| Emergent Themes | Specific Statements | My interpretation |
| MOTIVATOR | “I was feeling depressed and tired. At that time he took me out in a garden and offer me the food which I like the most and made my mind away from all the problems and filled in positive thoughts in me.” | This incident mentioned by Pradeep's friend is quite impressive and proves his point of being a motivator as in today's world, people do not pay attention to what other people feel. Still, Pradeep took the effort to make his colleague better and used to in the place, is quite commendable. He has acted quite sensitively. |
| Helpful | "There are many incidences where he helped me financially, lend his bike, and company me to a work. But this quality helping others proved to be nonbeneficial for him as he would keep his work aside and work for others which affected his work life." | The given statement shows that Pradeep didn't bother about what other people thought, he just believed that it's his duty to help others and thus he helped without expecting anything in return. |
| Caring | “Whenever I felt low or sad he would find it and without letting me know he would make my mood change and made me feel comfortable.” | Sensing others emotions and reacting to it in the other person's favor is a sign of Care. |
| ADAPTABLE AND FLEXIBLE | Adaptation of the atmosphere starts with Indian foods and Pradeep did nothing in this kitchen but so adjusted in our kitchen and cooked so well just because of his flexibility and adaptable nature. | Adjusting and adapting other’s fooding style is quite a tough job but Pradeep did so. |
| PRESENCE OF MIND | "Pradeep used his kind nature and presence of mind and used his skills to make a place in our house and adopted the atmosphere." | Adjusting the other’s house needs a high quality of presence of mind which Pradeep had. |
| PASSIONATE | "He taught me to be passionate about whatever one loves and no matter how many times I fail, I brought myself up together because of the inspiration felt through him." | His friend learned to love the things he actually wanted to do and take out time for it, from his busy schedule, which is an inspiring quality. |
| Punctual | "We both have been a part of National Cadet Corps (NCC), it has been his duty to wake everyone in the camp." | The statement shows the accuracy of Pradeep's Punctuality. |
Table: Summary Results Table
Reflection
About
From this study, I have learned many things about how to develop my own self. I think it is important to get adapted or get used to the situation and the environment which will show the flexibility of my character and the unique quality. There are some important characters that I believe every person should possess as those are important to build a person's own self, for example, I think every person should be Passionate about his dreams and hobbies; Presence of Mind is another distinguishing quality that every person should at least try to show in critical situations. Being a good motivator is sometimes necessary as I feel it is a good and extraordinary quality. For this research work, I have sent emails to my friends for gathering their feedback on the topic of how they can develop their positive psychology and if they practice the Reflected Best Self Exercises. They have given and shared their ideas and the self-concept through the reply of the mail. I have mailed seven of my friends asking for their feedback. Most of them have discussed many stories from their lives. Many of them have been trying to think positive in their life so that their activities and feelings do not get harmed by any negativity. I had sent emails to seven of my friends and I got answers from 5 of them. I think the personal origins of our beliefs and convictions can differ from person to person or situation to situation but all of them should lead a good life. According to my opinion, the Best self-portrait can be effective and contributing to building self-confidence and making decisions.
Application of learning
I think this process of self-analysis can provide strength to the individual people and the human connection and relation, as well as the experience clarity, can be developed and improved by the RBS exercises. For this research work, I have read different books by different writers and have learned some beautiful life lessons. Now I surely believe that reflective best self can be a great help in developing strength and virtue in a human being. By the grace of this strength, virtue, and talent I must be confident in all the performances and this can lead me to achieve success in life as I can do the best and make a crucial decision. In this study, I have discussed various ways about how to foster individual happiness and I think the relationship with the spouses, family members, friends and extended networks are very important and the working places, clubs or the social organizations can also help in developing healthy human relations.
Future scope
Moreover, I believe past can influence the present happiness and present state of mind can also cast an impact on the future hope and those experiences also opine that the individual strengths and virtues are dependent on the individual traits and state of mind.
Conclusion
The modern people have stress and tension in their regular life that may compel them to think negative. This paper has dealt with the concept and ideas of positive psychology and in this paper, a critical literature has been made based on the theories and opinions of the psychologists and researchers. In the methodology part, the psychological resources with the feedbacks from the known people have been collected to analyze the strengths and positive emotions of the respondents. The nature of positive psychology is to complement. It did not intend to replace or ignore anything of the traditional psychology. This field of studies may help to emphasize on the positive human development and the development of the personality by focusing on the positivity of all kinds in a thought process. The finding section provides an overview of the main theme along with the relevant real examples. The summary result tables have been included in this study. The findings have been thoroughly evaluated in the reflection section. The researchers have accumulated many life experiences of the people comprising their belief and ideas on how to understand and realize the personal self-identity and strength and what the very person can contribute to his own life at his best. This process of self-analysis can provide strength to the individual people.
Appendices
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Appendix 7:
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Pages: 4
Words: 890