The Marie Elizabeth® company name and brand are inspired by one woman - my grandmother, Marie Elizabeth Knippen O'Leary. I didn't have to look far in life to find one of my heroes. She truly understood what was valuable in life - holding close to the family that adored her and always being first to help someone in need. She frequently rode the train from her home in small town Illinois to Chicago to watch her Cubs play baseball.

To this day, I have never eaten better roast beef, gravy, and you-name-the-pie for Sunday dinner, and after we ate, everyone loved to play cards with her because she giggled uncontrollably when she had a good pinochle hand. I have forgotten many times in my thirty-plus years that true wealth isn't measured in dollars, diamonds or Dior, but in how you have cared about another person's life. Happily, every time I hear her name, I get a reminder.

Thank you Grandma.

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The Science of Optimal Performance

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what causes people and businesses to thrive.  Positive psychology research informs on the qualities and skills that enable resilience, optimism, well-being, achievement, meaning, and strengths.  The term “positive psychology” emerged in 1998 when Dr. Martin Seligman, then-president of the American Psychological Association, challenged psychologists to study and research not only mental illness, but also the qualities that allow people to thrive.  This revolution in psychology continues to grow, with researchers around the world producing groundbreaking research with important implications for individuals and businesses.

At The Marie Elizabeth © Company, positive psychology research frames the work we do, from our coaching programs to our workshops and speaking content.  As a result, our work is rooted in research-based principles, not the latest self-help fluff.

One component of our work includes helping high-achievers discover the mindsets and faulty assumptions that underlie their stress patterns.  Here are a few:

1.  I have to be perfect and do things perfectly.  This faulty assumption can be blamed for procrastination, lack of wanting to hear feedback from others for fear of being criticized, and the tendency to judge yourself and others by very rigid standards.

  • Stress less strategy:  Instead of aiming for perfection, which is unattainable, do as well as you possibly can and call it a day.  Focus on achievement rather than perfection.

2.  I should be able to manage it all and accomplish it all without feeling stressed or tired.  This belief usually shows up when women examine their stress response – “I thought I’d be able to handle more;” or, “I feel so tired at the end of the day.”  This faulty assumption leads many women to think that they are the sole cause of their stress.

  • Stress less strategy:  Pay attention to physical warning signs – digestive issues, headaches, muscle spasms, skin issues, and more.  In addition, monitor your energy levels during the day.  Take breaks when you need to.  Eat regularly.  Get some fresh air.  Ask for help!

3.  I should be able to accomplish more in a day.  Busy women often have to-do lists that are so long they will never realistically be able to be completed; and, because of your high-achieving nature, you continually add new tasks.

  • Stress less strategy:  Focus on quality rather than quantity.  Did you finish several larger, more worthwhile tasks vs. twenty smaller ones?  Also, keep track of what you actually accomplish instead of what you think you should have accomplished.  When the focus shifts, many women are surprised by all they have completed.

** [For a complete list, please visit Psychology Today to read Paula’s article entitled, “High-Achieving Women Think Differently: 7 Mindsets That Can Cause You Stress.]

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For questions, comments, speaking opportunities and all matters related to the field of positive psychology, please contact Paula Davis-Laack at info@marieelizabethcompany.com.

Paula Davis-Laack and Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman at Paula’s graduation from the Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania.