Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile.

Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile.

Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile.
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THE BLUE TREE

Man & Society

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

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warm up

  • How important is the pursuit of happiness for you?
  • What can tough times teach us? Is there any advantage in going through hardships?
  • How can we become more resilient to painful emotions and events?
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part one

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key language

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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 0:09 What two kinds of people do not experience emotions?
  • ⌚ 0:19 What false expectation do many people have in relation to happiness?
  • ⌚ 0:26 What do we need to learn to do with painful emotions?
  • ⌚ 1:12 What is Resilience 1.0 system about?
  • ⌚ 1:23 How is Resilience 2.0 different from 1.0?
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part two

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key language

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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 1:42 What example from our bodies illustrate the antifragile system?
  • ⌚ 2:02 What is PTG and how is it different from PTSD?
  • ⌚ 2:15 What is the goal of happiness studies?
  • ⌚ 3:00 What paradox exists in the context of pursuing happiness?
  • ⌚ 3:09 How can we resolve this paradox?
  • ⌚ 3:50 How is it similar to looking at the sun?
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part three

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key language

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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 4:17 What does SPIRE stand for?
  • ⌚ 4:32 What is spirituality about?
  • ⌚ 4:42 What is one the most important component of the physical element of the rainbow?
  • ⌚ 4:58 What is the main problem related to stress?
  • ⌚ 5:27 How can we draw happiness from intellectual side of life?
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part four

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key language

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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 5:41 What is the number one predictor of well-being?
  • ⌚ 5:54 How important is the quality of our relationships?
  • ⌚ 6:01 What two kinds of emotions do we need to learn to embrace?
  • ⌚ 6:13 What did Cicero think about gratitude?
  • ⌚ 6:19 What is the benefit of showing more appreciation?
  • ⌚ 6:26 In what sense is happiness more than just pleasure?
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DISCUSSION

  • What do you think of the idea of Antifragility / Resilience 2.0?
  • Would you add any more elements to the SPIRE Model? What would they be?
  • Why do you think people who pursue happiness directly are often unhappy?
  • Which element of the SPIRE Model brings most happiness to you?
  • Tal Ben-Shahar says that ‘happiness resides on a continuum’, that it is a journey. Do you agree with it?
  • At the end he says: “I do not think that things necessarily happen for the best. However, we can learn to make the best of things that happen”. What does it mean for you? 
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POLL

Which element of the SPIRE plays the most important role in your happiness?

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lesson glossary

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COMMENTS

What do you think of the idea of antifragility? Does it make sense to you? What would your rainbow colours refer to? 

Share your views and experience here.

How to Get Along with Difficult Colleagues

How to Get Along with Difficult Colleagues

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THE BLUE TREE

Better
Communicator

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image
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warm up

  • Who do you like/dislike the most at work?
  • What traits should a good colleague have?
  • What annoys you the most about the behaviour of your workmates?
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LISTENING

Listen to the article first. What is the main idea behind this management tip?

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reading

How to Get Along with Difficult Colleagues

It’s easy to 1. get caught up in interpersonal conflict at work. But these negative dynamics can lead to mistakes, reduced creativity, and worse decision-making. Here are four ways to work more effectively with difficult colleagues.

Understand that your perspective is limited. It’s not realistic to expect everyone to agree with you all the time. When differences arise, ask yourself questions like: What if I’m wrong? How would I change my behavior? What 2. assumptions have I made?

View the conflict as a problem to be solved together. Understand what 3. outcome you’re aiming for. Do you want to get a project over the finish line? Build a healthy working relationship that will last into the future? Feel less angry or frustrated after your interactions? Decide on your goals before interacting with your colleague, and keep your eyes on the prize.

Avoid 4. venting and 5. gossip. Choose whom you talk to (and what you share) carefully. Look for people who are constructive, have your best interests at heart, will challenge your perspective when they disagree, and can be 6. discreet.

Experiment to find what works. Start by coming up with two or three methods you want to test out. For example, if you want to improve communications with a 7. grumpy colleague, decide that for two weeks you’re going to ignore their tone and focus on the 8. substance of their messages. Often small actions can have a big impact.

This tip is adapted from How to Navigate Conflict with a Coworker,” by Amy Gallo

dać się złapać, wrobić

założenia

rezultat, wynik

dawać upust (emocjom)

plotki, pogłoski

dyskretny, rozważny

gderliwy, marudzący, zrzędliwy

merytoryczna wartość

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COMPREHENSION

  • How can arguments at work affect our performance?
  • How does it help to understand that our perspective is limited?
  • What questions can we ask ourselves at this point?
  • How can we view the conflict as a problem to be solved together?
  • What should we remember about when we decide to approach a difficult colleague?
  • Who can we talk to about this issue? Why?
  • What’s the forth tip about? Can you think of any other ‘experiments’?
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POLL

Which piece of advice from this lesson sounds the most practical for you?

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COMMENTS

How would you deal with a difficult colleague at work? Do you have any other tips you’d like to share with us?