It’s January 2022, and here we are. Trying to figure out what normal even means anymore. It’s now nearly two years into a global pandemic that upended life as we knew it.  People are exhausted, businesses are battered, and Zoom fatigue is officially a thing. The question isn’t just, “How do we move forward?”. It’s, “How do we stay sane, positive, and productive while doing it?”.

The world has been through the wringer. Restrictions on travel, gatherings, and social interactions have kept us apart. Necessary or not necessary at the time, they’ve also taken their toll. The urge to get back to something resembling connection is visible, but so is the anxiety that comes with it.

The tools of positive psychology (flow, hope, and positivity) are more relevant than ever. They’re not just abstract concepts. They’re survival strategies for navigating tough times. Drawing from the groundbreaking research of Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience), Martin Seligman (The Hope Circuit), and Barbara Fredrickson (Positivity), these principles offer a roadmap to navigate today’s uncertainty. 

The Origin of Positive Psychology: A Playbook for Tough Times

Positive psychology emerged as a rebellion against traditional psychology’s obsession with dysfunction. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with people, Martin Seligman and others asked, “What makes life worth living?”. They explored human strengths, resilience, and the strategies that help people thrive. Even in adversity.

Think of it as an operations manual for life, especially during periods of chaos and uncertainty. And let’s be honest, few things have been as chaotic and uncertain as the last couple of years.

Tough times, as Schopenhauer philosophized, aren’t just obstacles. They’re opportunities. They force us to stop, reflect, and recalibrate. They offer a chance to fetch something meaningful from within. A new perspective, a course correction, or even an entirely different way of approaching life and business.

Let’s dive into the tools positive psychology offers. How they can help us not just survive but actually thrive in this weird, post-pandemic world.

Finding Flow: Your Anchor in a Sea of Chaos

Flow, as Csikszentmihalyi describes it, is that magical state where time disappears, focus sharpens, and you’re completely absorbed in what you’re doing. Sounds great, right? The problem is that achieving flow during times of upheaval can feel impossible.

But that’s precisely when flow becomes most valuable. It’s a way to ground yourself, to find calm and clarity amidst the noise. Flow doesn’t just make work bearable; it makes it enjoyable.

Practical Flow Tips for Post-Pandemic Productivity:

1. Shrink Your Focus:
   Instead of worrying about the five-year plan (because, let’s face it, who knows what the world will look like then?), focus on the next 90 minutes. Choose one task, eliminate distractions, and dive in.

2. Balance Challenge and Skill:
   Flow happens when your skills meet the right level of challenge. Not too easy to be boring, not too hard to be stressful. Adjust tasks accordingly.

3. Celebrate Small Wins:
   Checking something off your to-do list, no matter how small, triggers a dopamine hit that keeps you motivated. Even finishing an email draft counts.

If flow is about optimizing the present, hope is about believing in the future. Seligman’s The Hope Circuit argues that hope isn’t some fluffy, feel-good notion. It’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened.

The past two years have been an exercise in frustration, uncertainty, and loss. But they’ve also shown us the value of resilience. Hope isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s believing that, with effort and adaptation, things can improve.

Building Hope in a World Turned Upside Down:

1. Reframe the Narrative:
   Every setback carries a lesson. That canceled trip? It made you rethink your priorities. The pivot in your business? It unearthed opportunities you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

2. Focus on What You Can Control:
   Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. Hope thrives on action. Even small steps. Like organizing your workspace or scheduling a Zoom catch-up with friends. 

3. Share Stories of Perseverance:
   As a leader, remind your team of past challenges you’ve overcome together. Use these as proof that you can handle whatever comes next.

Barbara Fredrickson’s Positivity argues that small bursts of positive emotions build resilience over time. They’re like emotional compound interest. The more you focus on what’s going right. Even amidst chaos, the more you’ll notice opportunities. Building stronger relationships, and maintain your mental health.

Injecting Positivity into Pandemic Recovery:

1. Create Positivity Rituals:
   Start meetings with a round of gratitude. End the day by listing three things that went well. These simple rituals create a culture of appreciation and boost morale.

2. Reclaim Joyful Activities:
   What did you miss most during lockdowns? Game nights? Hikes? Group workouts? Make them a priority now. Joy isn’t just a luxury. It’s a necessity.

3. Don’t Fake It:
   Toxic positivity, the idea that you should always look on the bright side is counterproductive. Acknowledge the hard stuff, but balance it with moments of light.

As restrictions lift (finally), the temptation to throw caution to the wind is real. But here’s a pro tip: Go easy. While travel, gatherings, and reunions are essential, diving headfirst into social obligations can be overwhelming.

Instead of booking back-to-back trips or filling every weekend with events, pace yourself. The goal isn’t to cram two years of missed experiences into two months. It’s to rediscover the joy of connection without burning out.

The Positive Psychology Playbook for Tough Times

Here’s the cheat sheet:

• Flow: Focus deeply on what matters right now. The more immersed you are, the less the chaos around you will matter.
• Hope: Believe in your ability to adapt and grow. Share that belief with others. It’s contagious.
• Positivity: Cultivate small moments of joy and connection. They’re the antidote to burnout.

Life post-pandemic isn’t going to be “normal” anytime soon. But that’s okay. Tough times aren’t just obstacles. They’re opportunities to reassess, rebuild, and emerge stronger.

Whether you’re managing a team, rebooting your business, or just trying to get through another work-from-home day without losing your mind, positive psychology offers a roadmap. Use it.

And don’t forget: It’s okay to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Sometimes, the best way to stay positive is to stop taking everything so seriously. After all, if you can’t laugh at Zoom fails and sourdough baking disasters, what can you laugh at?

Takeaways

1. Flow as Your Anchor: Focus on achieving flow by balancing skill and challenge, minimizing distractions, and celebrating small wins to stay productive even in chaotic times.
2. Hope is a Skill: Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, take control of small, actionable steps, and inspire your team with stories of perseverance to build resilience.
3. Positivity Builds Strength: Small rituals of positivity, authentic connections, and finding joy in everyday activities create emotional compound interest and combat burnout.
4. Ease Into Connection: With restrictions lifting, prioritize meaningful social and professional engagements over overwhelming your schedule to rediscover connection without burning out.
5. Laugh at the Absurdity: Humor can be a powerful tool for resilience—embrace life’s quirks to stay grounded during tough times.