July 2025 – flourishing

This is what Petr Beneš, founder & CEO of 6D and member of the Red Button network, says about the book.

At a time when psychology traditionally focused on treating mental illnesses and fixing what is wrong with us, Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, comes with the book "Flourish," which radically changes the perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life. Instead of focusing on problems, the author guides us to discover what works well within us and how we can develop our strengths.

Seligman introduces his famous PERMA model – five core pillars of human flourishing: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. He explains that true happiness is not just a momentary feeling of joy but a complex state where all these elements work in harmony. The book offers practical tools to cultivate positive emotions, find your strengths, build quality relationships, and discover the meaning of your existence.

"Flourish" is more than just growth – it encompasses the overall blossoming of a person in the context of life’s natural ups and downs. Based on decades of research, Seligman shows that flourishing is not a luxury but a basic human need. He teaches us that resilience, optimism, and a sense of meaning are not just innate traits but skills we can train ourselves to develop.

The book emphasizes the power of conscious rituals – for example, a daily ritual of doing something kind for someone, which helps us reprogram behavior and move forward. It shows that things we do consciously we can stop or start doing, while if we are unaware, those things control us. "Flourish" is not another book about happiness but a practical guide to an authentic life, where flourishing is not a destination but a way of traveling.

Who is Petr Beneš?

Petr Beneš is the founder & CEO of 6D, former CIO of GE Money, and COO of Česká spořitelna.