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7 Ways to Include PERMA in Your New Year's Planning

Enhance your well-being and happiness in the new year by incorporating the PERMA model into your planning.


The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on our lives and set goals for the future. As you dive into your New Year's planning, why not incorporate the PERMA model to enhance your well-being and overall happiness? PERMA is an acronym that stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments. By focusing on these five elements, you can create a well-rounded and fulfilling year ahead. Let's explore each element in detail and discover how to integrate them into your planning process.

Understanding the PERMA Model

The PERMA model, developed by psychologist Martin Seligman, provides a framework for understanding and cultivating well-being. Each element represents a pillar of happiness that contributes to our overall satisfaction with life. By incorporating these elements into our planning, we can create a more holistic and enriching experience for the year ahead.

The Five Elements of PERMA

Positive Emotion refers to experiencing joy, gratitude, and other positive feelings. It's important to consciously seek out activities and experiences that bring us joy and generate positive emotions. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, or practicing mindfulness, make it a priority to include activities that boost your mood and overall well-being.

Engaging in activities that bring us joy not only enhances our overall well-being but also strengthens our relationships. Spending quality time with loved ones can create lasting memories and deepen our connections. Whether it's going on a hike with friends, having a family game night, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee with a loved one, these moments of positive emotion can have a profound impact on our happiness.

Gratitude is another powerful positive emotion that can significantly enhance our well-being. Taking the time to reflect on the things we are grateful for can shift our focus from what's lacking to what we already have. It can help us appreciate the small joys in life and foster a sense of contentment. Consider starting a gratitude journal or sharing daily gratitudes with a partner or friend to cultivate this positive emotion.

The Importance of PERMA for Well-being

Research has shown that incorporating the elements of PERMA into our lives leads to greater happiness and overall well-being. By consciously focusing on each element, we create a more balanced and fulfilling life. So, why not extend this approach to our New Year's planning? Let's explore how we can incorporate the elements of PERMA into our goals and resolutions for the coming year.

When setting goals and resolutions for the year ahead, it's essential to consider how they align with the elements of PERMA. By ensuring that our goals incorporate positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, we can create a roadmap for a more fulfilling and satisfying year.

Positive emotion can be integrated into our goals by including activities that bring us joy and excitement. Whether it's planning a trip to a dream destination, learning a new skill, or pursuing a hobby, these experiences can infuse our lives with positive emotions and contribute to our overall well-being.

Engagement refers to being fully absorbed and immersed in an activity. When setting goals, consider including activities that challenge and stimulate you. This could be signing up for a dance class, joining a book club, or taking up a new sport. By engaging in activities that align with our interests and passions, we can experience a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Relationships play a crucial role in our well-being. When setting goals, think about how you can strengthen and nurture your relationships. This could involve scheduling regular date nights with your partner, planning family outings, or reaching out to old friends. By prioritizing relationships, we can create a support system that enhances our happiness and overall well-being.

Meaning refers to having a sense of purpose and contributing to something greater than ourselves. When setting goals, consider how you can align them with your values and make a positive impact on others. This could involve volunteering for a cause you care about, starting a passion project, or finding ways to give back to your community. By infusing meaning into our goals, we can experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Accomplishment involves setting and achieving goals that provide a sense of mastery and competence. When setting goals, consider including both short-term and long-term objectives that challenge you and allow for personal growth. This could be learning a new language, completing a marathon, or advancing in your career. By pursuing goals that push us outside of our comfort zones and allow us to develop new skills, we can experience a sense of accomplishment and boost our self-esteem.

Incorporating Positive Emotion in Your Plans

Positive emotions have a powerful impact on our well-being and can improve our ability to cope with stress. When setting goals for the new year, consider how you can infuse more positivity into your plans. Whether it's by pursuing activities that bring you joy, surrounding yourself with positive influences, or practicing gratitude, make sure to incorporate elements that generate positive emotions.

One way to incorporate positive emotions into your plans is by engaging in activities that bring you joy. Think about the hobbies or interests that make you feel happy and fulfilled. It could be painting, playing a musical instrument, gardening, or even cooking. By dedicating time to these activities, you are not only nurturing your passions but also infusing your plans with positive emotions.

Another strategy for enhancing positive emotions is by practicing gratitude. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you're grateful for each day. This simple practice can shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life and help you appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. Whether it's a beautiful sunset, a kind gesture from a stranger, or a delicious meal, acknowledging and expressing gratitude for these moments can bring about a sense of joy and contentment.

In addition to personal practices, surrounding yourself with positive and supportive individuals can greatly contribute to your overall well-being. Seek out friends, family members, or mentors who uplift you and inspire positivity. Surrounding yourself with people who radiate positive energy can have a contagious effect, making it easier for you to maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated towards your goals.

By consciously integrating these strategies into your plans, you can infuse your journey with positive emotions and set yourself up for a more enjoyable year. Remember, it's not just about achieving the end result, but also about embracing the process and cultivating a positive mindset along the way. So, as you set your goals for the new year, take some time to reflect on how you can incorporate more positivity into your plans and make the most out of every moment.

Strategies for Enhancing Positive Emotions

To enhance positive emotions, consider keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you're grateful for each day. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or practicing self-care. Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who uplift you and inspire positivity. By consciously integrating these strategies, you can infuse your plans with positive emotions and set yourself up for a more enjoyable year.

The Role of Engagement in Your New Year's Planning

Engagement refers to being fully absorbed and immersed in activities that challenge us and provide a sense of flow. When setting goals for the coming year, consider how you can incorporate activities that captivate your attention and spark your passion. Engaging in activities that align with your strengths and interests can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your life.

How to Foster Greater Engagement

One way to foster greater engagement is to set goals that are challenging yet attainable. This balance allows you to stretch yourself and strive for growth while also maintaining motivation and a sense of achievement. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps to make them more approachable. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share similar interests can also enhance engagement and provide support along your journey.

The Importance of Relationships in Your New Year's Goals

Strong and meaningful relationships are vital to our well-being. When setting your goals for the new year, consider how you can nurture and enhance your relationships with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Building and maintaining positive connections can provide a sense of belonging and support, increasing our overall well-being.

Building Stronger Relationships in the New Year

Make a conscious effort to connect with your loved ones regularly. Plan activities, outings, or simply spend quality time together. Actively listen and show genuine interest in others. Reach out to old friends or join social groups that align with your interests to cultivate new relationships. By investing in your relationships, you'll create a richer and more fulfilling year.

Meaning and Purpose in Your New Year's Resolutions

Finding meaning and purpose in our lives is essential for a fulfilling year. Reflect on what truly matters to you and how you can align your goals and resolutions with your values and passions. When our actions are driven by a sense of purpose, our motivation and fulfillment increase.

Finding Your Purpose in the Coming Year

Take some time to reflect on your values, interests, and the impact you want to make in the world. Consider how you can contribute to causes or engage in activities that align with your purpose. Set goals that are meaningful to you and focus on creating a positive impact. By infusing your resolutions with purpose, you'll find greater satisfaction and fulfillment throughout the year.

Achieving Accomplishments in the New Year

Setting goals and achieving personal accomplishments is a significant source of happiness and fulfillment. As you plan for the new year, identify specific goals that you want to accomplish. Break them down into actionable steps, and track your progress along the way. Celebrate each milestone to maintain motivation and reinforce positive feelings associated with your accomplishments.

Setting Goals for Personal Accomplishments

Ensure your goals are realistic, measurable, and aligned with your overall vision for the year. Create a plan and consider any potential obstacles you may encounter. With determination and perseverance, you can turn your goals into achievements. Remember to celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small, as they contribute to your overall well-being and happiness.

Integrating PERMA into Your New Year's Planning

Now that we've explored each element of the PERMA model, let's consider how we can integrate them into our New Year's planning. By consciously incorporating Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments into our goals and resolutions, we create a more balanced and fulfilling year ahead.

Practical Steps to Include PERMA in Your Plans

Start by reflecting on each element and how it currently shows up in your life. Identify areas where you'd like to enhance or modify your approaches. Set specific goals that align with each element. Break them down into actionable steps and create a timeline for implementation. Consider how you'll measure your progress and celebrate achievements along the way.

Maintaining PERMA Throughout the Year

Remember, integrating PERMA into your New Year's planning is not a one-time task. It's an ongoing practice that requires regular reflection and adjustment. Continuously evaluate how each element is contributing to your overall well-being and make any necessary changes to ensure balance. By maintaining a focus on PERMA throughout the year, you'll experience a more joyful and fulfilling journey.

As you embark on your New Year's planning, remember the importance of incorporating elements of the PERMA model. By consciously infusing Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments into your goals and resolutions, you'll create a more well-rounded and rewarding year. Embrace the opportunity to cultivate a meaningful and fulfilling life, and celebrate each step along the way. Here's to a year filled with PERMA and incredible growth!

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