The Happiness Institute's CHOOSE Model

The Happiness Institute , one of Australia’s leaders in positive psychology and the provision of coaching programs and materials, believes in a simple approach for achieving happiness in life. In short, they believe that happiness is something people can 'choose' to have.

They not only view the word ‘choose’ as being a philosophy of taking responsibility, but also an acronym representing six key positive psychology strategies for bringing about more happiness and success in any endeavour of life.

The “C” stands for clarifying life direction and goals. Essentially, focusing on that over which a person has control will lead to a consequential boost in their confidence and self-efficacy.

The “H” stands for healthy living. Research has found that eating nutritionally, exercising regularly and sleeping well will undoubtedly improve feelings of wellbeing and positivity

The first “O” stands for optimism and engaging in more positive thinking practices in life

The second “O” invites people to focus on others and the development of more positive and better quality relationships

The “S” highlights the importance of working with strengths, as opposed to just trying to fix weaknesses

And finally, the “E” in our CHOOSE model is for enjoying the moment and having fun

The Happiness Institute recommend however that it is best to see the principles or strategies not as separate entities to be used in isolation but more so, as ways of thinking and doing that can and should be interwoven through everything we do in life and all of our being. If people can achieve this, then they suggest real and meaningful happiness will be the result.

The CHOOSE model is one example of the positive psychology coaching practice’s intellectual property, that has been carefully developed over the past eight years. For coaches or psychology professionals looking to expand their business, or find a new direction, The Happiness Institute offer licenses for purchase, through which coaching business can use the institutes popular positive psychology materials for their clients.