Positive psychology is a science that pursues the nature of happiness. It teaches us how to cultivate attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that help build a healthy, happy, robust character. As we learn to modify these core aspects of ourselves, we become more resilient; we become more able to recover and retain happiness.

Doing so may not always be easy, but empirical research suggests that being grateful can help foster an overall sense of well-being and happiness. Taking note of the many things we have to feel thankful about can play a highly constructive role in the development of our world view and our character.

For every problem, you can find a raft of generic solutions. But find the one that works spectacularly for you — and that’s your “secret formula.”

When faced with a challenge or when deciding on a goal you want to achieve, do you tackle it with a sense of confidence and the anticipation of eventual success? Or do you feel a sense of dread and impending failure? If it’s the latter, then it may be that your personal sense of self-efficacy needs some attention.

You have probably heard “practice makes perfect.” You may even have heard coach Vince Lombardi retort “Practices does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect.” But what makes practice perfect, and how can you perfect you practice?

Clients teach their therapists at least as much as therapists teach their clients. Only recently have my clients taught me practical ways to apply a theory developed in 1943 that is a mainstay of most introductory psychology courses.

Everyone has habits, but while most of us struggle against habits acquired without much forethought, if we’re looking to make lasting changes in our lives, we’ll need to design and install new, healthier habits. What makes some habits “stick” while others fade? I believe seven factors make the difference between durable habits and last year’s forgotten resolutions.