The challenge – Although people are good at knowing and naming their weaknesses (e.g., procrastination or spelling), in general people don’t know their psychological strengths or indeed capitalise on them (e.g., curiosity, kindness, or bravery).
The science – People who use their strengths regularly perform better in life and work, and have greater wellbeing and relationships.
The solution – Identify you strengths and consciously invest in cultivating and employing them.
Some people just nail it – that presentation, that project, that key goal, that sporting task. You look at them and wonder gobsmacked at how they are so good at what they are doing. Others are the opposite and like fish out of water, pushing that water up hill and looking for the nearest fish bowl. The difference is usually that the ‘nailers’ are using their psychological strengths – both the things they are good at, and the things that energise them.
So what are psychological strengths? Personal strengths (also called character strengths) are defined as a “natural capacity for behaving, thinking, or feeling in a way that allows optimal functioning and performance in the pursuit of valued outcomes”. Examples of strengths include being curious, socially intelligent, kind, fair, open minded, great leadership, humorous, hopeful, and showing gratitude just to name a few. So why are strengths important? Well, the academic literature on strengths is really stacking up! In brief, empirical studies suggest that the benefits of increased strengths use include greater wellbeing, higher levels of energy and vitality, greater achievement and goal obtainment, greater sense of authenticity, greater resilience when things go wrong, better relationships, and more frequent positive emotions. In addition, people who use their strengths more are also less depressed and less stressed. We also know, and this is the exciting part, that strengths use can be taught, and there is a strong link between strengths use and wellbeing.
The message here is take time out to uncover your (potentially) hidden psychological assets. This will require time, self-reflection and exploration. Ask yourself: What activities give you a buzz? (energy). What activities come naturally to you? (ease). What activities do you simply love to do? (motivation). When do you feel most yourself? (authenticity). Once you are gaining insight into your strengths, then wield them like a laser… Also do a free strengths assessment here: https://www.viacharacter.org/
For more information:
Linley, A., Willars, J., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). The strengths book: Be confident, be successful, and enjoy better relationships by realising the best of you. Coventry, UK: CAPP Press.
The science – People who use their strengths regularly perform better in life and work, and have greater wellbeing and relationships.
The solution – Identify you strengths and consciously invest in cultivating and employing them.
Some people just nail it – that presentation, that project, that key goal, that sporting task. You look at them and wonder gobsmacked at how they are so good at what they are doing. Others are the opposite and like fish out of water, pushing that water up hill and looking for the nearest fish bowl. The difference is usually that the ‘nailers’ are using their psychological strengths – both the things they are good at, and the things that energise them.
So what are psychological strengths? Personal strengths (also called character strengths) are defined as a “natural capacity for behaving, thinking, or feeling in a way that allows optimal functioning and performance in the pursuit of valued outcomes”. Examples of strengths include being curious, socially intelligent, kind, fair, open minded, great leadership, humorous, hopeful, and showing gratitude just to name a few. So why are strengths important? Well, the academic literature on strengths is really stacking up! In brief, empirical studies suggest that the benefits of increased strengths use include greater wellbeing, higher levels of energy and vitality, greater achievement and goal obtainment, greater sense of authenticity, greater resilience when things go wrong, better relationships, and more frequent positive emotions. In addition, people who use their strengths more are also less depressed and less stressed. We also know, and this is the exciting part, that strengths use can be taught, and there is a strong link between strengths use and wellbeing.
The message here is take time out to uncover your (potentially) hidden psychological assets. This will require time, self-reflection and exploration. Ask yourself: What activities give you a buzz? (energy). What activities come naturally to you? (ease). What activities do you simply love to do? (motivation). When do you feel most yourself? (authenticity). Once you are gaining insight into your strengths, then wield them like a laser… Also do a free strengths assessment here: https://www.viacharacter.org/
For more information:
Linley, A., Willars, J., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). The strengths book: Be confident, be successful, and enjoy better relationships by realising the best of you. Coventry, UK: CAPP Press.
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