Honesty, Loyalty, Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Hope & Optimism, Kindness, Fairness are some of the 24 Signature Strengths valued the world over.

When you discover your primary signature strengths that are authentic to you, and then lean into these when taking on a difficult, you will find challenges effortless and even experience joy and enthusiasm while using them. It is what Mihalyitzikcentmihalyi calls FLOW.

STEP 1

To find your Values in Action Signature Strengths visit: www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu

Log in and click through to Questionnaire Centre and complete the:

VIA Survey of Character Strengths.

It is free. You will get your results immediately and can print them if you like.

It will take you 15 – 20 minutes.

STEP 2

Once you have your results, create a defined time each day that you will use one or more of your Signature Strengths.

For example:

  • If you find your strength is “Design and Beauty” spring clean a room, change the layout, accessorise the space etc.
  • If you find your strength is “Love of Learning”, acquire a new skill to tackle a difficult task. Perhaps you are struggling with a presentation, go online and learn a new PPT technique or new presentation skill.
  • If “Creativity, Ingenuity and Loyalty” is one of your character strengths, get your family to create an ingredient mystery basket for your turn to cook.
  • “Humour and Playfulness” is an opportunity to turn a chore into a game. Perhaps you have a daily task that you can turn into a time-based competition. Who completes the chore the quickest?

STEP 3

Martin Seligman suggests that you write about your experience.

  • How did you feel before, during and after the activity?
  • Was the activity challenging or easy?
  • Did time pass quickly?

“These positive psychology exercises worked on me, they worked on my family, they worked on my students, then taught to professionals and then worked on their clients, even very depressed clients. And the exercises even worked in the gold-standard testing of placebo-controlled, random assignment.” Martin Seligman

As you become more resilient, you will turn adversity to advantage with a healthy mindset and optimistic viewpoint. You will realise that you are never alone, as your Signature Strengths accompany you through every challenge. 

 

If you are feeling overwhelmed, contact LifeAssist.

Confidential counselling is available to you and your household.

 

 

28 March 2020 Author: Ingrid Ashwin, The Wordstock Company

Cited works:

Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish. London Boston: Nicholas Brealy.

Seligman, M. (1990, 1998, 2006). Learned Optimism . New York: Vintage Books.