Focus On Personal Strengths
Do you know where your inner strength lies? Not many people do. In the course mentioned at the beginning, your first task is to identify what makes you powerful and how you can focus on these strengths throughout the day. If you are curious, take the VIA Survey online. It is entirely free and gives you 24 of your greatest strengths, including things like appreciation of beauty, leadership, diplomacy, and intelligence.
For the self-aware individual, the results might be more matter-of-fact than true insight. Still, how often does being self-aware make you question your self-worth? How often do you downplay the things you do exceedingly well in an attempt to be modest? It turns out that not taking pride in your strengths could strain your levels of happiness.
That is why you need to think about your strengths every single day. Think about how you can use these strengths to help you succeed with even small daily dilemmas. Understanding how these strengths play a role in making you who you are puts you on the path to triumph. Studies have shown time and again how your happiness increases dramatically when you acknowledge your skills. Furthermore, another study done by psychologists in the U.S. has found that when people use their strengths in new ways, they had less depression six months later. A similar study in the UK found that people who felt like they were utilizing their personal strengths gained more positive emotions and self-esteem.
Once you have figured out your top 5 strengths, ask yourself the following questions:
• Am I naturally drawn to this as an idea of strength?
• Is this who I really am?
• Does this strength energize me?
• Does it surprise me?
• How can I use this strength in my work, hobbies, and community?
• Do others see this strength in me?
By answering these questions, you can then figure out how to implement your strengths in new ways. For instance, if one of your strengths is curiosity, what new skill can you delve into? What questions can you answer that have been bugging you? Where can you try that new cuisine you’ve been tempted to taste?
The opportunities are limited only to how you see the strength.
