A Ripple Story…
Jane Wundersitz
Founder
WunderTraining
Adelaide, Australia
Alumni: Adelaide, Australia, March 2014
In our 11069NAT Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing we always talk about the ripple effect; starting with self and creating a ripple out there in the world - whatever that may mean for each person.
In this interview, one of our Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing graduate shares her completely life-changing experience of the course, and explains how the course has helped her to support others across Australia.
What drew you to complete the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?
I remember hearing that the World’s first Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing was being created and delivered in Australia and it was coming to Adelaide. I was so darn excited …
I was a year into running my own training business, with a focus on positive culture and wellbeing development at work. I was cash-strapped and Roxanne from the Langley Group was very supportive in establishing a payment plan enabling me to be a part of the first Diploma group in Adelaide.
The Diploma looked brilliant and I loved that it incorporated emotional intelligence, neuroscience and had a positive leadership elective. Perfect!
I stumbled upon the field of Positive Psychology in 2004 at ‘The Body Shop’ when I was the State Learning and Development Manager. I wholeheartedly believed that any organisation could build a positive culture and staff engagement, yet in conversations with friends, I knew so many organisations were far from this.
In 2012, I left the security of a great role and company, to start my own business. Whilst I had 20 years experience in Learning and Development, I was lacking a qualification in the field I loved. I had previously contacted Penn University at least five times in the hope that an online Master’s course would be available.
The Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing was so right for applying the science in practice and I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. I really wanted to consolidate what I thought I knew, know what I didn’t know and learn more! It well and truly exceeded my expectations.
What was your experience during the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?
I completely loved it.
I was in my element even before the programme started, as I had been given access to a treasure trove of research articles – literally hundreds! I read everything, including all of the optional reading. I completed the online inventories, including many I had never heard of. I knew before the first face to face day of delivery that it was going to be so much better than I had anticipated.
Personally completing the assignments and trying the interventions was so powerful. My self-instigated learning prior to the Diploma was centred around bringing the science to others and embedding it with a work culture. I have always been buoyant and engaged in work and in life, yet I have grown tremendously as a result of applying the principles personally.
The assignments really impacted me and brought depth to my understanding of the content.
For anyone challenged by writing essays, rest assured you will be completely fine.
There were interventions I had read about and which resonated, yet I did not appreciate how powerful they were until doing them myself. For example, completing the five acts of kindness in a day, I visited my elderly neighbour who had moved to a retirement home. This was one of those things I said I’d do, but in the business of life it may not have happened – she was so thrilled when I rolled up with a packet of her scotch finger biscuits – her favourite. It cemented for me how powerful altruism is and how often I don’t follow through on kind thoughts and actions. Hence, this has been a positive personal growth experience.
Another was recording your emotions every hour for two weeks. I identified a source of stress that I was completely unaware of and had the tools to proactively shift it.
I loved the experience of being a participant again. I met many truly wonderful people; three of my own team members came from my Diploma group. The delivery, practical learning environment and presenters were exceptional.
It’s was a privilege to be trained by Sue Langley’s team and I literally cried when I finished the course – it was brilliant.
How are you spreading your positive ripples, and how has the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing helped you achieve this?
The Diploma gave me the confidence and certainty I needed to be bold and courageous in my business and I feel strongly anchored to my own purpose; to ensure that the ‘science of human flourishing’ has a broad reach, is not an elitist field, and that high-quality, research-rich workplace training is accessible to every workplace and team member irrespective of their title, role, industry or location.
I have helped over 7,000 people discover their strengths across Australia. I work with executive teams through to volunteer groups, supporting government departments, corporate clients, universities and schools, medium and small businesses. The varied client base and travel provides continuous learning, true engagement and makes life an adventure full of purpose.
I have since trained as the Australian Master trainer for VIA and am also the Australian partner with ASA Authentic Strengths Advantage and can certify others.
I am excited to be one of four candidates running for the International Positive Psychology Association’s President Elect, for the Work and Organization Division. This is a volunteer position and if successful I’d love to grow collaboration in the Division to have a strong two-way bridge between the research into science of human flourishing at work, and it’s practical application. I believe those in the field should and can support areas that would benefit from further research. Through collaboration, research studies can have a bigger participant pool globally and best practice can be shared globally.
The whole Langley team continue to be incredibly supportive and this extends well beyond completing the Diploma . They have created an online forum for Diploma Alumni students to grow together and share experiences.
I am incredibly grateful for the impact completing the Diploma of Positive Psychology has had on me personally and in enabling me to grow a business and career I am really proud of.
The Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing has been at the heart of this.