Positive psychology (or “pos psych”), the study of positive subjective experiences, is an academic specialty dedicated to the elimination of suffering that results from living a life that’s empty and meaningless. According to the founders of positive psychology, the science is designed to examine just what exactly people need to live fulfilling lives and to enhance the experiences of love, work and play.
An important focus of positive psychology researchers is the distinction between pleasure and enjoyment. According to positive psychology experts, pleasure, which is the good feeling that comes from satisfying physical needs (such as hunger, thirst and sex) drive actions, but cannot lead to extended satisfaction or psychological growth. On the other hand, enjoyment, which is the good feeling that we experience when we achieve a goal or successfully confront a challenge, is what leads to personal and psychological development and sustained happiness.
If you are looking to get more joy from whatever it is you’re up to, positive psychologists tell us that there are four main criteria that will determine how much enjoyment you’re going to derive from overcoming a challenge or accomplishing a goal. 1.) You have to be able to fully focus. 2.) You have to have clear distinct goals and obvious feedback. 3.) You need control over your actions and over the results of those actions. 4.) You have to have a personal interest in the activity and in the end result.
