Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Flourishing” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Flourishing

Maureen Gaffney

4.13 · Rating details · 168 ratings · 14 reviews

At a time of deep crisis the notion of flourishing seems unimaginable. However, distinguished psychologist Maureen Gaffney believes passionately that not only is it possible for us to flourish, but in an increasingly uncertain world, it is essential that we plan to do so.

Flourishing is about achieving a deeper sense of well-being, meaning and purpose despite, and indeed ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 320 pages

Published October 27th 2011 by Penguin Ireland

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Flourishing, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Flourishing

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.13 ·

Rating details

· 168 ratings · 14 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Flourishing

Jul 14, 2014 Derbhile Graham rated it really liked it

I'm not usually a devotee of self helps books, but this book is potentially life changing. Lightbulbs popped in my head every few pages. Rather than glibly promote positive thinking, it explains why we think negatively and why we need to reinforce positive experiences to counteract the negative ones. Saying that no one drives you crazy without your cooperation, or that dwelling on a problem actually makes it worse, may seem like stating the obvious to some, but it is one thing to comprehend ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 21, 2015 Aoife Driver rated it liked it · review of another edition

I loved Maureen gaffney a other book the way we live now. With this book I got a lot of insights and valuable information but it took me 7 days to read because it was so sense with information some of it slightly repetitive. I particularly enjoyed the relationship and personality info as well as the first hand stories. All in all I got a lot from this book but struggled to get through parts of it.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2014 J. Schmidt rated it it was amazing

This book is phenomenal! It is extremely well written and inspiring. It is one of those books where I ended up highlighting 1/3 of the book and I review those highlights again and again. It is very insightful and opens the door to so many topics dealing with personal well-being and growth. Inspired by this book I now have at least 10 new books on my to read bookshelf, e.g. on post-traumatic growth, optimism, focus, goal-setting etc.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 24, 2019 Karolina Janus rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I genuinly loved every chapter of this book. It’s extremely well-written, in elegant and well-argued manner. I’ve found it very insightful, with relevant psychological concepts explained in a straightforward, yet engaging way. As you progress with reading, you slowly start learning about yourself and your unique experiences. There is a logically convincing explanation for every argument brought.

Some central topics of this book are:

- Economy of the Heart
- Importance of Attention
- Power of I genuinly loved every chapter of this book. It’s extremely well-written, in elegant and well-argued manner. I’ve found it very insightful, with relevant psychological concepts explained in a straightforward, yet engaging way. As you progress with reading, you slowly start learning about yourself and your unique experiences. There is a logically convincing explanation for every argument brought.

Some central topics of this book are:

- Economy of the Heart
- Importance of Attention
- Power of Positivity

What’s Flourishing?

It’s enduring a positive experience throughout your whole life. Gaffney outlines a 10-steps strategy to achieve it.Here are just a few key concepts that I’ve found particularly interesting on this journey:

In order to function normally in our personal & working lives we have to experience at least 3 positives to every negative. And if we want to flourish, be at our best, the positivity ratio needs to be ramped up to 5:1. If we fall below the 3:1 threshold, we will be trapped in a downward spiral of languishing and failure.

Positive and negative emotions are not the opposites - rather, they are relatively independent systems in our brain - our twin pillars of survival.

Based on our past experiences and habits, our brains are wired to experience certain emotions - fear, happinesss, gratitude, stress, anxiety.. If we experience too many negative feelings, the whole trick is to re-wire our brain and be open to positive thoughts & experiences - in this way our brain's plasticity will allow us to balance the positive and the negative. The only way to do it though is by remaining conscious and active in this practise.

Flourishing means understanding how different parts of yourself work and how to manage these most effectively to remain in harmony with your true self. Knowing what your true self is, is the first step. After guiding us through the 10 strategies leading to the nurturing life and optimal existence, Gaffney brings us back home to the Power of Optimism, leaving last word to David Landes:

„In this world the optimists have it, not bacause they are always right but because they are positive. Even when wrong, they are positive, and that is the way of achievement, correction, improvement and success. Educated eyes-open optimism pays; pessimism can only offer the empty consolation of being right.

The one lesson that emerges is the need to keep trying. No miracles. No perfection. No millennium. No apocalypse. We must cultivate a sceptical faith, avoid dogma, listen and watch well, try to clarify and define ends, the better to choose means.” ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Martin Glen rated it it was amazing

Could be framed as Dr Gaffneys Magnum Opus. A distillation of the past few decades of Positive Psychology research, and practical advice and activities suggested. The Ten Step framework for Flourishing (being in a state where positive experiences negate more inherently impactful negative ones) includes activities that are all largely solid and achievable. In fact, the sheer volume of information and strategies within make it a book that will become a source of ongoing reference.

flag Like · see review

Dec 18, 2012 Michele rated it it was amazing

This was a very good book- it broke things down into reasonable bits so that the reader can really consider where they are, WHY, and what steps they want to take not just to get by, but to thrive, despite it all.

flag Like · see review

Jan 29, 2013 Rebekah Burder rated it it was amazing

Not your typical self-help book. It's more a collection of the author's research and ideas on what it meant to flourish. I found it very helpful, and am going to go through it again to pull out what I need to apply in my life. Very well-written.

flag Like · see review

Feb 02, 2012 Aine rated it really liked it

A great insight into life and how we can be our best in all areas of it.
As ever, Maureen Gaffney is practical and descriptive and 'Flourishing'is one of those books worth dipping into in the future as a reference tool.

flag Like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Penelope added it

I'm surprised that i'm enjoying this book, as I find the topic too similar to all of the self-improvement stuff. However the book is contemporary and well researched and well structured, and helpful.

flag Like · see review

Apr 17, 2013 Aislingcoughlan is currently reading it

flag Like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Margaret rated it really liked it

Shelves: health-psychology

I enjoyed this book, although I don't think there was anything especially new here. But I'm always looking for studies that show students how they can be successful. And this one had several :)

flag Like · see review

Mar 16, 2013 Abby Wynne rated it it was ok

Shelves: dip-in-and-out-of

Very academic read for an audience who requires simplicity. I'd probably not recommended it to clients.

flag Like · see review

Apr 28, 2012 Caroline rated it it was amazing

This book may have changed my life.It certainly gives a common sensical blue print for a better life. I amon my second read and it just perks me upto read a few pages.

flag Like · see review