Profit from the Positive Book Summary - Profit from the Positive Book explained in key points
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Profit from the Positive summary

Margaret Greenberg Senia Maymin

Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your Business

4.2 (15 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

Profit from the Positive by Margaret Greenberg and Senia Maymin is a practical guide for organizations and individuals to apply positive psychology at work and increase profitability. It shares evidence-based tools and techniques for fostering a positive mindset and culture in the workplace.

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    Profit from the Positive
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    To improve productivity, plan ahead and try to pick up positive habits.

    If you’re a manager, you’re probably always on the lookout for new ways to increase both your own and your employees’ productivity. Let’s take a look at a few simple tricks for achieving that.

    First of all, always take the time to formulate a plan before leaping into action.

    The importance of this can be seen in a study by psychologist Peter Gollwitz, where he told his students to write a report on how they spent Christmas, and hand it in on 27 December. While half the students just got the assignment, the other half were also asked to identify exactly when and where they would complete it. It turned out that this “plan” made a huge difference: 71 percent of the second group submitted their reports on time, compared to just 32 percent who’d made no concrete commitment to getting it done.

    This insight is easy to apply in other areas too. For example, saying, “Could you bring that report to the conference room after the 10 a.m. meeting?” is more effective than, “Could you hand it in tomorrow?” because the former creates a specific plan for the other person to follow.

    Another way to improve productivity is tricking yourself into getting started.

    Let’s say you’ve got a long, daunting to-do list and you’re having trouble getting started. Just pretend you’ve already begun! Jot down a few additional tasks that you’ve already completed, and then cross them out. This simple act will make you feel like you’ve already done something, which will motivate you to continue.

    Finally, if you really want to be more productive, create positive habits and routines.

    Consider Deborah. She used to check her email all the time, interrupting her other work. To improve her productivity, she decided to adopt a new positive habit: checking her emails only four times a day, at specific times, and not just whenever a new email arrived in her inbox. This allows her to better focus on her work, saving her time in the long run.

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    What is Profit from the Positive about?

    Profit from the Positive explains how leaders can increase productivity, collaboration and profitability by using the tools of positive psychology to boost their employees’ performance. It gives clear examples of how small changes can make big differences.

    Profit from the Positive Review

    Profit from the Positive (2013) is a valuable resource that explores the science-backed strategies for harnessing the power of positive psychology to thrive in work and life. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers practical techniques that can be immediately implemented to increase happiness, resilience, and productivity.
    • The book presents research-based insights and real-world examples to demonstrate the impact of positive psychology practices in various areas of life.
    • With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking exercises, it keeps readers engaged, ensuring that the topic of positivity remains anything but dreary.

    Best quote from Profit from the Positive

    We know what we should be doing, but sometimes we cant seem to get out of our own way.

    —Margaret Greenberg and Senia Maymin
    example alt text

    Who should read Profit from the Positive?

    • Business leaders, managers, executive coaches
    • Human resource professionals
    • Anyone who wants to get ahead by being positive

    About the Author

    Margaret Greenberg is an executive coach to Fortune 500 firms and founder of The Greenberg Group consultancy. Senia Maymin has a Stanford PhD in organizational behavior and has consulted for clients including Google and Intel.

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    Profit from the Positive FAQs 

    What is the main message of Profit from the Positive?

    The main message of Profit from the Positive is that positive psychology can lead to increased profitability and success.

    How long does it take to read Profit from the Positive?

    The estimated reading time for Profit from the Positive is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in a matter of minutes.

    Is Profit from the Positive a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Profit from the Positive is worth reading because it offers practical strategies to leverage positive psychology for individual and organizational growth.

    Who is the author of Profit from the Positive?

    The authors of Profit from the Positive are Margaret Greenberg and Senia Maymin.

    What to read after Profit from the Positive?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Profit from the Positive, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • Uncommon by Mark Divine
    • Mindset by Carol Dweck
    • Made You Look by Carmen Simon
    • Before Happiness by Shawn Achor
    • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
    • Leadership Strategy by Powerful Business Solutions
    • The Busy Brain Cure by Romie Mushtaq