Comments on: “What’s Your Story?!” Make it a Good One.

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:28:06 +0000

Hi Mikey,

Thanks for the great post! I sure appreciate your support Mikey; your comments (very poetic) really mean a lot to me. And I’m glad to have the chance to be connected to the story you are writing and living in your life.

Best to you,

David

By: Mikey

Mikey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:50:27 +0000

Great article David. You really have a wonderful way of helping us tell our stories. And a way of assuring us that someone is listening. Thank you for being such a great emcee on the stage of life. You make my story light up that much brighter knowing you are out there thinking of ways to help me know happiness. Happiness in a world that can convince a person that happiness doesn’t really exist. Now that is something.

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:36:31 +0000

Thanks Alberto for sharing your experience in business.

It’s fascinating to hear the stories of our employees and teammates. You point to the predictive nature of stories. It sure is important that we pull together a story that brings out our best. Thanks for the post Alberto.

Best to you,
David

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:35:38 +0000

Thanks Melanie. I love the “unfinished novel” metaphor! Thanks for the post; I appreciate it.

Best to you,

David

By: Alberto Casellas

Alberto Casellas — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:08:51 +0000

HI David
Your story reminds me of “we can’t escape who we are, or where we came from, but we can invent who we can be in the future”. I have seen how powerful our own stories are to the future we hold. As I’ve worked with thousands of employees over the years, I have experienced how employees, colleagues, leaders, can succeed or fail based on just the stories that they tell themselves. Thanks for writing and reminding us to carft our story for today.
All the best,
Alberto B Casellas

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:20:12 +0000

David,

Great! It’s not only the stories of our past but what do we want to tell for our future…Life’s an unfinished novel, some days mystery, romance, and bittersweet. I look forward to the next chapters with great anticipation! Keep on writing!!!

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:37:00 +0000

Thanks Cari for the great post!

I think you have inspired many of us who are parents with your note. You make it clear that parents may have more responsibilities than they did when they were younger (allowing us more flexibility to pursue a variety of opportunities), but they still have dreams worth pursuing (and with creativity they can achieve them). And while nature and nurture play a role in how we all approach life, it’s great that you are intent on making the most of your next opportunity!

Best wishes,

David

By: Cari Lewis

Cari Lewis — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 05:17:20 +0000

Thanks for an inspiring article, David! When reading articles like this one, my first impulse is to think that the imperative to “be adventurous” is good for young and single people with no responsibilities - I start to think things like “Well, if I didn’t have 3 children…” or “If I weren’t so tired…” or other true but self-defeating thoughts. I wonder if some of my reticence is just my nature, or if it can be attributed to my experiences growing up an american black female (nature vs. nuture). I am a successful person, yet these thoughts still intrude! In any event, your article makes clear that these thoughts keep one from being fully actualized, and from reimagining and revisioning our life stories in support of our dreams. I am grateful for your article, and I will be mindful of it the next time I approach a new opportunity! Thanks again David! - Cari

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:45:31 +0000

Thanks Jeff for a rich post. Here are a few more thoughts to follow yours.

Jeff, my first few years at Yahoo! were all about the stories we used to tell to each other, our partners, our customers, and our new hires. Each story said something about our culture, our values, and our priorities.

Great point about making sure that our stories connect the new insights we’re sharing to the current and past experience of our audience members (readers, workshop participants, students, etc.).

Jeff, you are right; the public has a trusted place to go for insights into their happiness. Positive Psychology at its foundation is all about the science. Our stories only communicate what we discover through study.

Wonderful idea about seeing more movies and games focused on meaning and flow, not just pleasure. I know a few of my fellow writers on Positive Psychology News Daily have put together long lists of movies and songs that deliver more than passing pleasure only. You could add yours to the list.

Endorsements from well-known people are welcome if they are respected. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Nelson Mandela speak at a Positive Psychology conference?

Thanks Jeff for your always thoughtful posts.

Best to you,
David

By: David J. Pollay

David J. Pollay — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:22:51 +0000

Thanks to the Happiness Blogger for your comment. Great point about Marty’s APA President story. His story first shows us how natural it is for us to have “worst case” thoughts (even for one of the most influential psychologists alive today), and shows us the power of the disputation process.

Thanks for all of your post.

Best to you,
David