If you are like me, you sometimes struggle with getting the most important things done. It is so easy to stay busy working on the urgent but not-important “stuff” in our lives. Steven Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” has a great chapter on time-management, and points out how we really should prioritize working on the “Important,” and “Not-Urgent” items on our to-do list. (This is Habit #3: Putting First Things First)

First of all, it’s not about getting rid of stress. That won’t happen. Stress is a part of real life – always has been, always will be. Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, stress (and sometimes tons of it) is a part of our existence as humans. So what is the difference between successful people, who thrive, even while faced with stressful circumstances, and those who crash and never get back up?

You may know that I’m nearing completion of my PhD in Psychology. I’m uniquely interested in a field called “Positive Psychology,” and in adult human resilience. Bottom line, I want to learn how to better flourish in my life, and be able to help those I love and those I coach to flourish more as well.

Some days are rough. Some days are rougher than others. Some days are beyond rough and are dreadfully bad. It’s ok. Breathe. Life is filled with the good, the bad, and everything in between. Choosing to view life with a spirit of hope and positivity gives us courage and the power to move forward in our lives with confidence. For me, this is optimism. This is also hope.

As an executive coach, I work with clients in a variety of situations. Some people work in big companies, some in small firms, some are solopreneurs, some are new in their careers, mid-career professionals, and others are in their encore years (I don’t like using the word “retired.”)

As a PhD student in psychology, I am immersed in the constantly evolving research around how to help people improve their well-being. The science of positive psychology (and yes – it is a science) is full of practical applications on how an individual can improve the odds of flourishing – now and into the future.