<Li> Engagement refers to involvement in activities that draws and builds upon one's interests . Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi explains true engagement as flow, a state of deep effortless involvement, feeling of intensity that leads to a sense of ecstasy and clarity . The task being done needs to call upon higher skill and be a bit difficult and challenging yet still possible . Engagement involves passion for and concentration on the task at hand and is assessed subjectively as to whether the person engaged was completely absorbed, losing self - consciousness . </Li> <Li> Relationships are all important in fueling positive emotions, whether they are work - related, familial, romantic, or platonic . As Dr. Christopher Peterson puts it simply, "Other people matter ." Humans receive, share, and spread positivity to others through relationships . They are important not only in bad times, but good times as well . In fact, relationships can be strengthened by reacting to one another positively . It is typical that most positive things take place in the presence of other people . </Li> <Li> Meaning is also known as purpose, and prompts the question of "why". Discovering and figuring out a clear "why" puts everything into context from work to relationships to other parts of life . Finding meaning is learning that there is something greater than one's self . Despite potential challenges, working with meaning drives people to continue striving for a desirable goal . </Li> <Li> Accomplishments are the pursuit of success and mastery . Unlike the other parts of PERMA, they are sometimes pursued even when accomplishments do not result in positive emotions, meaning, or relationships . That being noted, accomplishments can activate the other elements of PERMA, such as pride, under positive emotion . Accomplishments can be individual or community - based, fun - or work - based . </Li>

Positive psychology emphasizes people's psychological growth and happiness