The Positivity Project

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AMERICA’S YOUTH TO BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES.

Why relationships? Because they are the cornerstone of health, happiness, resilience…and (according to experts) many jobs of the future. That is why The Positivity Project founders developed a strategy that schools like Grand Blanc use to inspire positive relationships (student-to-student and student-to-teacher) and cultivate school-wide #PositivityInAction.

#OtherPeopleMatter is our motto, hashtag, and the spirit of the movement we are building. It originated with Dr. Chris Peterson, one of the founders of positive psychology and Mike Erwin’s mentor and advisor in graduate school. Other People Matter was Chris’ thesis resulting from his decades of research.

As Chris wrote in 2008, he would often begin lectures by stating, “I can sum up positive psychology in just three words – Other People Matter. Period. Anything that builds relationships between and among people is going to make you happy.” Chris passed away suddenly in October 2012 and we are proud to carry on his legacy through the research on character and relationships that he led for over a decade.

Please see below for a video of Chris and Mike explaining Other People Matter.