Coming soon · Book Profile
Flourish
Psychologist Martin Seligman introduces his "Well-Being Theory," arguing that true flourishing comes from cultivating Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA), and presents a vision for applying these principles to transform education, the military, health, and public policy.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
In his first book in ten years, Martin Seligman, the father of the Positive Psychology movement, presents a paradigm-shifting new theory of what makes a good life. Moving beyond his own earlier work on "authentic happiness," Seligman argues that well-being is not just about feeling good, but about flourishing. He introduces the five pillars of a flourishing life—Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA)—and provides evidence-based exercises to cultivate them. Drawing on large-scale, real-world applications from transforming schools in Australia to building psychological fitness in the entire U.S. Army, *Flourish* is a watershed guide for individuals, communities, and nations to not only relieve suffering but to actively build the conditions for a deeply fulfilling and productive life.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- The reader is someone who wants more out of life than simply avoiding problems or chasing fleeting moments of happiness. They are looking for a scientifically-grounded, practical framework to build a life of deep fulfillment, success, and meaning for themselves, their family, and their community.
- The problem
- Our society and its institutions—from schools to workplaces to medicine—are designed to fix what's wrong, not build what's right, leaving us without a clear roadmap for achieving optimal human functioning. They feel that despite material comfort or occasional happiness, their life lacks deep engagement, meaning, or a sense of genuine accomplishment, leading to a feeling of being unfulfilled or 'languishing.'
- The plan
- Learn the five-pillar (PERMA) model of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
- Practice the simple, evidence-based exercises to increase your own PERMA and identify your signature character strengths.
- Apply the principles of positive psychology to key domains like parenting, education, work, and health.
- The payoff
- A life of flourishing, characterized by deep satisfaction, engagement, purpose, and achievement. · Improved resilience in the face of adversity and stronger, more positive relationships. · Better physical health and increased longevity.
See our guide
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Additional reading
- Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln · Doris Kearns Goodwin
This book provides the detailed historical narrative for the book's case study of Abraham Lincoln as a successful giver in the world of politics.
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking · Susan Cain
Supports the idea that less dominant, 'powerless' communication styles can be highly effective, which is a key strategy for many successful givers.
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion · Robert Cialdini
The principles of reciprocity and social proof from this book are foundational to understanding why giving can be influential and how giving norms spread within groups.
- Never Eat Alone · Keith Ferrazzi
Presents a strategic, matcher-oriented view of networking ('give before you receive') which Grant contrasts with the more unconditional approach of successful givers.
- Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter · Liz Wiseman
The book's distinction between 'geniuses' (who can be takers) and 'genius makers' (who are givers) is used to frame how givers succeed in collaboration by elevating others.
- The Magic Mountain · Thomas Mann
Frankl cites this novel for its profound psychological study of people living in a 'provisional existence' in a sanatorium, which he found analogous to the inmates' experience of time and futurelessness in the concentration camp.
- The Individual and His Religion · Gordon W. Allport
Quoted to support the therapeutic power of self-detachment and humor ('The neurotic who learns to laugh at himself...'), which Frankl sees as the foundation of his 'paradoxical intention' technique.
- The works of Dostoevski · Fyodor Dostoevski
Frankl repeatedly quotes Dostoevski, particularly two key ideas: 'man is a being who can get used to anything' (which Frankl qualifies) and 'There is only one thing that I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings,' which encapsulates the concept of finding meaning in one's attitude toward fate.
- Ethics · Spinoza
Frankl quotes Spinoza's statement, 'Emotion, which is suffering, ceases to be suffering as soon as we form a clear and precise picture of it,' to explain his own coping mechanism of observing his suffering with scientific detachment.
- The Trusted Executive · John Blakey
The author's previous book, which establishes the importance of trust as a foundation for leadership, a concept that underpins the 'OUT' dimension of this book.