Character Strengths Research
Curiosity has been seen to increase happiness among individuals. According to a study by Sebastian (2019), positive psychology can be used to understand tourist satisfaction and how this can help define a happy tourist. In the study, the author aimed at identifying immediate satisfaction themes from on-site experiences of students and how the satisfaction contributed to the overall picture of a happy tourist. By analyzing various studies on how curiosity could influence the level of happiness among tourists, Sebastian (2009) analyzed student’s memorable experiences from Spain. He found that challenge related themes characterized the memories such that the more challenged one was, the more satisfied they were, and consequently happy. I found the study interesting and also agree with its findings since, from my own experiences, I have realized that the more satisfied I get from the challenges I encounter, the happier I get. Additionally, the study could not have been more appropriate since I have also visited two destinations, and the one that challenged me left more satisfied with the trip, which ultimately gave me the happiness of achieving my trip objectives. Hence, the study has contributed to my life since it has given me an understanding of curiosity and the role of vigilance in improving my satisfaction, which is the ultimate happiness.
Sebastian, F. (2009). Tourists’ happiness through the lens of positive psychology – ResearchOnline@JCU. – ResearchOnline@JCU. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/10842/
Due diligence is another contributor to happiness, as evidenced in the study by Srivastava and Bhatnagar (2008), who used the case of Motorola India to investigate how talent acquisition due diligence has led to higher employee engagement in the company. This is because with the management of talent within organizations becoming vital elements of success, due diligence has played a key role in making Motorola’s talent acquisition strategy a success. With the ultimate happiness of any organization when acquiring new talent is achieving higher levels of employee engagement, due diligence has played a vital role in ensuring that happiness is achieved. I found the study interesting since it does not only look at an individual side of my character’s strength but also relate it within a business environment. With most of the instances where I utilize due diligence being those that I aim at profiting, just like Motorola, I have been in a position to achieve much by first taking my time prior to action. Similarly, diligence has helped me turn in my work on time and to the best of my ability. Hence, this study is instrumental in my life since it has opened up on how I could apply diligence in a business environment.
Srivastava, P., & Bhatnagar, J. (2008). Talent acquisition due diligence leading to high employee engagement: Case of Motorola India MDB. Industrial and Commercial Training, 40(5), 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850810886496
Creativity is also another character trait that influences the overall happiness of an individual. Kamel, Martins, and Andrade (2017) associate happiness with work by looking into how corporate happiness management is influenced by creativity and innovation. The authors showcase how happy employees end up being creative, as well as showing how creativity leads to happiness since productivity comes from happy employees. I found the study interesting since it portrayed my daily life, whereby every time I do something creatively, I find myself happy since it gives me the satisfaction that I am the custodian of the idea. Besides, the study links the character to business, which could be beneficial to many enterprises that aim at making their employees happy. Hence, through the study, I have found myself in a position to know the need to ensure the employee’s happiness in business if creativity and innovation are to be achieved.
Kamel, J. A., Martins, C. V., Pessanha, M. B., & De Andrade, M. W. (2017). Creativity and innovation for corporate happiness management. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40552-017-0038-7