University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman, who co-founded the field of positive psychology developed a theory that has proven to increase well-being not only helping individuals but a broad range of organisations and even within countries.

Seligman developed five building blocks toward well-being called “PERMA.” Each of them stand independently of the others, and should be pursued for “its own sake, not as a means to an end.”

“P” stands for positive emotion, which you can cultivate in hope for the future and an appreciation for the past. By practicing gratitude for what you’ve been given and forgiveness for what you were not, Seligman feels you can create positive emotion about your past. Build hope and optimism, he says, and you build positive emotions about your future.

“E” is for engagement, which he defines as fully using all your skills, strengths and attention on a challenging task. Doing this, he says, will put you in the “flow,” sort of a mental version of the athlete’s “zone.”

“R” is for relationships and the critical importance they have in our lives in amplifying both our positive and negative feelings.

“M” is for meaning, a sense of purpose from being part of something bigger than ourselves. He points to religion, family and social causes such as working for a better environment as ways to increase meaning in our lives. Research shows doing acts of kindness for others can also increase our well-being.

And finally, “A” is for accomplishment. This is not necessarily financial success, but success and mastery of a skill or activity for its own sake.

In understanding individuals PEMRA score and on aggregate organisations we are better able to measure and influence people’s wellbeing and be more productive and happier equally at work or in our daily lives.

The question is, how do you measure your own well-being and that of your employees?