We tend to spend a lot of time thinking about our weaknesses and beating ourselves up about our shortcomings and our perceived failings. But have you ever taken the time to truly think about your strengths? Actively thinking about the things we are good at, those things we do well and that energise and enthuse us, can be a very illuminating experience.
Recently I’ve investigated some online strengths assessments. The VIA (Values in Action) Survey of Character, created by Dr Christopher Peterson of the University of Michigan, on http://www.viacharacter.org , looks at 24 signature strengths. A free report is available which gives an indication of your top character strengths and a brief description of them. For US$40 a detailed report outlines a number of ways to consider those strengths.
Realise2, provided by the Centre of Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), on http://www.cappeu.com considers 60 traits and assesses not only the strengths you are using, but unrealised strengths, learned behaviours, and weaknesses. For £15, you receive a strengths profile report, a development report and 6 months access to a development tracker to chart your progress on utilising particular strengths more, less or in a different way.
Even though I consider myself to be reasonably self-aware, both these assessment tools gave me some very helpful insights. I gained greater awareness of what moves me most deeply and motivates the choices I make in life. I found that I spend quite a lot of time on some of my learned behaviours, while some of my innate strengths which are potentially more energising and give more effective outcomes are calling out for greater expression. This gives me the option of making room for these things more consistently in my life.
We are all wondrously complex and unique beings. What do your strengths say about you?
