Why focus on strengths? (DW#971)
Oct 04, 2021
Many of us grew up believing that in order to be successful in life, we had to become aware of our weaknesses and work to eliminate them.
While this may be true if you have significant personal challenges that stand in the way of your functioning and wellbeing, research suggests that the way to flourish is to change your focus from weaknesses and instead work to get a deeper understanding of your strengths and find ways to use them as much as possible. Survey research has also found that most people - up to two-thirds - do not have a meaningful awareness of their strengths. And many people tend to underuse their strengths.
And here is another thing: unlike many self-development projects, using our signature strengths is usually effortless, and we will see an immediate boost in wellbeing.
In fact, positive psychology experts have discovered three key features of signature strengths.
They are:
- Essential: the strength feels essential to who you are as a person.
- Effortless: when you enact the strength, it feels natural and effortless. It helps you be YOU.
- Energizing: using the strength uplifts you and leaves you feeling happy, in balance and ready to take on more.
Interested? Did you take the free "VIA Survey of Character Strengths" test yet? If not, here’s the link again.
I found many of my students (and myself) were a little surprised and mostly delighted at what they discovered. I am so excited for you to find and confirm your strengths and would love to hear about your experience and what you discovered!
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