14. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

‘ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2009) — Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a tool — the “Getting-Out-of-Bed (GoB) measure” — to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study, which appears in the October issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, shows that the tool has the potential to be an easy-to-use measure to bolster motivation and thus improve health behaviors and outcomes in the growing population of older adults. 

The demographics of aging in the United States continues to change dramatically. In 2006, 37 million Americans, 12 percent of the population were 65 years or older. By 2030, those 65 years and older are projected to number 71.5 million representing nearly 20 percent of the US population. Furthermore, between 1992 and 2004 average inflation-adjusted health care costs for older Americans increased from $8,644 to $13,052 and are expected to continue to rise considerably. According to the researchers, such numbers underscore the importance of understanding common diseases and health behaviors of older adults, because many conditions can be prevented and/or modified with behavioral interventions.

“Motivation and life outlook play an important part in an older adult’s ability to recover from illness or disabling events and to maintain and/or adopt health-promoting behaviors,” said lead author Kerri Clough-Gorr, DSc, MPH, from the Section of Geriatrics at BUSM.’

For full article, click here.

So how well do you get out of bed?

Do you spring out of bed, put both feet firmly on the ground and express gratitude for your health and well-being?

Or do you hit the snooze button ten times and grumble about having to get out from your warm covers?

This seems to be a powerful indicator of your motivation, engagement in life, and overall outlook on life. And the best part is, you can change how you get out of bed! As you learn to get out of bed with a more optimistic outlook, and more energy, odds are you will be more positively and passionately engaged in life. This simple change alone can reap tremendous benefits in every area of your life.

Wake up smiling!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Positive Psychology Coach, Author, National Speaker

Danville, CA

Posted in National speakers, Gratitude, Energy psychology, Danville CA, Positive expectations, Sleep research, Employee engagement, Emotion & productivity, Hope, Resiliency, Life coach, Dr. John Schinnerer, Realistic optimism, Guide to Self, Happiness, The human brain, Emotional mind, Positive Psychology | Print | No Comments »

14. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

‘ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2009) — With America’s unemployment rate higher than it has been in decades, many people find themselves looking for jobs. The process can be tiring and, in such a competitive climate, receiving that final job offer is challenging. In a new study, researchers at the University of Missouri focus on what job seekers need to get ahead of the competition. The Mizzou scientists found that certain planning activities and positive emotions have a large impact on success in finding a job. 

“We found it most interesting that metacognitive activities — thinking about a plan, acting on a plan and reflecting upon that a plan — were important early in the job search while having positive emotions were important later in the job search,” said Daniel Turban, professor and chair of the Department of Management in the MU Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business.  The study found that metacognitive activities, including goal setting and plan development, affect resume submission and success in first interviews, while the ability to maintain positive emotions plays a larger role during second interviews and receiving a final job offer. The researchers also examined how the personality traits of extraversion and conscientiousness affect metacognitive activities and positive emotions. Extraversion, how energetic and outgoing a person is, influenced both metacognitive activities and positive emotions. Conscientiousness, a person’s self discipline and dependability, affected metacognitive activities and directly influenced the number of final job offers received. “Perhaps, conscientious job seekers conducted better quality job searches by scrutinizing their fit with prospective employers more carefully or more effectively following up with employers,” Turban said.

The researchers administered three surveys to 327 job seekers. The first survey measured personality and demographic information, while the second survey measured positive emotions, metacognitive activities and employment outcomes. A third survey, measuring tapped employment outcomes, was sent to those still job hunting four to five months after the second survey.’

For full article, click here.

Keep on smiling!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Positive Psychology Coach

Helping folks mitigate negative emotions and

cultivate positive emotions

Posted in Danville CA, National speakers, Curiosity, Awareness, Positive expectations, Emotion & productivity, Positive emotions and job search, San Ramon CA, Employee engagement, Corporate Culture, Hope, Resiliency, Life coach, Creativity, Dr. John Schinnerer, Realistic optimism, Emotional IQ, Staying calm, Organizational psychology, Consciousness, Happiness, Positive Psychology | Print | No Comments »