"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela

As you embark on your personal development journey, you are eager to discover and develop your unique strengths. You know that by focusing on your natural abilities and skills, you can achieve success and fulfillment in all aspects of your life.

There are many ways to classify strengths, but some common categories include personal strengths, professional strengths, character strengths, cognitive strengths, and physical strengths. Personal strengths are qualities or abilities that are unique to you and relate to your personal characteristics, such as creativity, resilience, or empathy. Professional strengths are skills and abilities that are relevant to your work or career, such as problem-solving, leadership, or technical expertise. Character strengths are virtues or values that are considered desirable in an individual, such as honesty, kindness, or fairness. Cognitive strengths are abilities related to thinking, learning, and problem-solving, such as critical thinking, creativity, or decision-making. Physical strengths are physical abilities or skills, such as athletic ability, manual dexterity, or endurance.

Remember, it's important to focus on your own individual strengths and not compare yourself to others. Your strengths are what make you unique and valuable, and it's important to focus on developing and leveraging them in your personal and professional life. By discovering and embracing your strengths, you will be able to achieve success and fulfillment in all aspects of your life.

What you will learn:

1. The different types of strengths

2. The importance of focusing on your own strengths

3. The role of developing and embracing strengths in achieving success and fulfillment in personal and professional life.

1. Core values, core strengths or core needs?

Core strengths are abilities or qualities that are unique to an individual and that they excel at or that come naturally to them. These might include skills or talents, such as problem-solving, communication, or artistic ability.

Core values, on the other hand, are the principles or ideals that are most important to an individual. They reflect what an individual believes in and guides their actions and decisions. Examples of core values might include honesty, kindness, fairness, or integrity.

While core strengths and core values are related, they are not the same thing. Core strengths are focused on abilities or qualities, while core values are focused on principles or ideals. It is possible for an individual to have core values that are not related to their core strengths, and vice versa.

For example, someone might have the core strength of artistic ability, but their core values might include honesty and fairness. Similarly, someone might have the core value of kindness, but their core strengths might include problem-solving and leadership.

So what character strengths are out there?

The 24 character strengths

The 24 character strengths are a classification of positive traits and virtues that are considered to be universally valuable. These strengths are grouped into six categories: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Some examples of the 24 character strengths include curiosity, love of learning, bravery, kindness, fairness, and self-control. These strengths are often seen as important for personal growth and well-being and can be developed and nurtured through effort and practice.

These strengths are often seen as important for personal growth and well-being and can be developed and nurtured through effort and practice. The full list of the 24 character strengths is as follows:

1. Wisdom and knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective

2. Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality

3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence

4. Justice: citizenship, fairness, leadership

5. Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self-regulation

6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality.

These strengths are grouped into six categories based on their shared characteristics and common themes. For example, the strengths in the wisdom and knowledge category are related to intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, while the strengths in the courage category are related to moral and physical bravery. By understanding and developing these strengths, individuals can lead more fulfilling and authentic lives and make positive contributions to their communities.

⚡️ Front of card: Strength (e.g. Creativity) Back of card: Definition (e.g. The ability to generate novel and valuable ideas)

⚡️ Front of card: Wisdom and knowledge Back of card: Creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective

⚡️ Front of card: Courage Back of card: Bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality

⚡️ Front of card: Humanity Back of card: Love, kindness, social intelligence

⚡️ Front of card: Justice Back of card: Citizenship, fairness, leadership

⚡️ Front of card: Temperance Back of card: Forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self-regulation

⚡️ Front of card: Transcendence Back of card: Appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

2. Find your strengths

There are several steps you can take to discover your core strengths Once you have identified your core strengths, it's important to continue to develop and use them. This can help you build confidence, improve your performance, and increase your overall sense of well-being. Overall, finding your core strengths takes time, reflection, and a willingness to explore and learn about yourself. By using the exercises, you can begin to identify and develop your unique strengths. 🌱

1. View the 24 competencies and look for the most distinctive strength(s) by asking yourself the following questions:

   • Does this competence give me energy and inspiration when I use it?

   • Do I experience this competence as an essential part of who I am? (Meaning: without this strength, I am not complete?)

   • Do I want to apply this competence in as many areas as possible?

   • If I use this competence, do I experience it as personal growth? Does my best self use it?

   • Grade each strength on a scale of 1-10.

   Compile a top-five list of your most distinctive competencies. If necessary, incorporate any strengths you may have missed from the previous exercise. If you find yourself struggling, consider whether removing a particular virtue from your list would feel like discarding a significant part of your identity. Additionally, ask yourself if you would still be true to yourself without actively striving to embody that virtue. Rank your highest virtue at the top and then proceed to the least desirable virtue. It is natural for preferences to shift over time or in response to different circumstances. Do not worry if you need to adjust the priority or are uncertain about the order. It is simply an exercise, and it is normal for individuals to be dynamic rather than static.

2. Reflect on your past experiences and think about times when you felt most confident and in control. Think about times when you felt most fulfilled, successful, or happy. What were you doing in those moments? What skills and abilities were you using? Which core qualities have always been with you (since you were a child)?

3. Reflect on your personal and professional experiences. Consider the feedback you've received from others, such as teachers, mentors, or supervisors. What do they see as your greatest strengths?

4. Talk to trusted friends, family members, and colleagues and ask for their input/feedback on your strengths. Be open to hearing constructive feedback and try to identify patterns in the responses you receive. They may have observations about your strengths that you haven't considered.

5. Consider your values and what is most important to you. Your core strengths are often closely aligned with your values, so identifying your values can help you uncover your strengths. Reflect on what is most important to you and how you can use your strengths to align with your values. Which values are fictional for you (based on fictional fear or longing for the future)?

6. Experiment and try new things. Don't be afraid to try new activities or take on new challenges. This can help you discover new strengths and build on the ones you already have.

7. Our natural drive is to act consistently with how we see ourselves. Fill in these lines with "I am" statements. You can use your core values, daily actions, and titles as inspiration if needed. Make a list of your most common "I am" statements (I am a parent, a teacher, a crypto investor, I am...).

   • Then, think about how you feel about these statements defining you. Is there anything that really resonates with you, and are there statements that you would rather not include?

   • Create your own personal guide: write down "I will be" statements. How do you feel about these statements defining you?

   • This exercise becomes more powerful over time. Keep your list in a visible place and add to it regularly. Review it from time to time to gain insight into how you see yourself and the kind of person you want to be.

8. Here are some websites that offer online tests or assessments to help you identify your strengths:

   1. StrengthsFinder: Developed by Gallup, StrengthsFinder is a popular assessment that helps you discover your top five strengths. You can take the assessment online after purchasing a code at https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/home.

   2. VIA Survey of Character Strengths: The VIA Survey is a free assessment that measures your character strengths in 24 areas. It was developed by positive psychologists Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson. You can take the assessment for free at https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register.

   3. MyTop5: MyTop5 is a free assessment that helps you identify your top five strengths. It is based on the StrengthsFinder assessment and provides a brief report on your strengths. You can take the assessment for free at https://www.mytop5.com/.

   4. 16Personalities: The 16Personalities assessment is a personality test that identifies your personality type based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It includes a strengths section that highlights your unique abilities and qualities. You can take the assessment for free at https://www.16personalities.com/.

   Keep in mind that these assessments can be a useful starting point, but it's important to also consider other sources of information. These tests can help you identify your personal strengths and characteristics, and can provide insights into your personality, motivations, and values. They can also be useful in helping you set goals and make decisions that align with your core values. Some of these tests are free, while others require payment to access the full range of features and insights.

9. Reflecting on your weaknesses can be helpful in certain contexts, such as when you are trying to identify areas for improvement or when you are seeking to overcome challenges or limitations. However, it is generally more effective to focus on your strengths when trying to discover your core strengths. This is because your strengths are the abilities and qualities that come naturally to you and that you excel at, and they are often closely aligned with your values and passions. By focusing on your strengths, you can build confidence, improve performance, and increase your overall sense of well-being.

3. Your inner quest and adventure

To begin your journey towards heart-head congruence, start by understanding your core values and beliefs. Reflect on your experiences, motivations, and priorities to identify what is most important to you. Consider what you admire in others, and ask for feedback from those who know you well.

Once you have identified your core values, consider how they align with your actions and decisions. Are you living in accordance with your values? Make a plan to incorporate your values into your daily life and surround yourself with people who share your values and support your growth.

Continuously reflect on your values and reassess them as needed. Your values may change over time, and it's important to regularly evaluate them to ensure they align with your current beliefs and goals.

Welcome to your inner battle.

Let’s start today🌱🌐

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and embracing your strengths is crucial for achieving success and fulfillment in all aspects of your life. By focusing on your natural abilities and skills, you can achieve your goals and aspirations. Your journey to finding your strengths is not only a path to success, but also a path to self-discovery and inner growth. The next chapter will guide you in identifying your core wants and desires understanding your inner quest and adventure, and ultimately, achieving your full potential.

Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the six categories of the 24 character strengths?

   a) Wisdom and knowledge

   b) Courage

   c) Humanity

   d) Responsibility

   Answer: d) Responsibility. Explanation: The full list of the six categories of the 24 character strengths is wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Responsibility is not listed as one of the categories.

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the strengths in the wisdom and knowledge category?

   a) Intellectual curiosity

   b) Moral bravery

   c) The pursuit of knowledge

   d) The ability to generate novel and valuable ideas

   Answer: b) Moral bravery. Explanation: The strengths in the wisdom and knowledge category are related to intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, and include qualities such as creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, and perspective. The courage category is related to moral and physical bravery and includes strengths such as bravery, persistence, integrity, and vitality. Appreciation of beauty and excellence is a strength in the transcendence category.

3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a core value?

   a) It is a principle or ideal that is important to an individual

   b) It guides an individual's actions and decisions

   c) It is a skill or ability that an individual excels at

   d) It is something that an individual has to work hard to develop

   e) It is something that an individual is passionate about

   Answer: c) It is a skill or ability that an individual excels at Explanation: Core values are principles or ideals that are important to an individual and that guide their actions and decisions. They are not related to skills or abilities, but rather reflect an individual's beliefs and values. Other characteristics of core values might include being something that an individual is passionate about or something that they have to work hard to develop.

4. Which of the following is NOT a way to use your core strengths in your personal and professional life?

   a) Building confidence and improving performance

   b) Increasing your overall sense of well-being

   c) Focusing on your weaknesses

   d) Aligning your strengths with your values

   e) Using your strengths to make positive contributions to your community

   Answer: c) Focusing on your weaknesses Explanation: Focusing on your weaknesses is not an effective way to use your core strengths in your personal and professional life. Instead, you can use your core strengths to build confidence and improve performance, increase your overall sense of well-being, align your strengths with your values, and make positive contributions to your community. By leveraging your strengths, you can lead a more fulfilling and authentic life and make a positive impact on those around you.

How to apply this in your life today?

Take some time to reflect on your own strengths. Make a list of your personal strengths, professional strengths, character strengths, cognitive strengths, and physical strengths. Once you have identified your strengths, think about how you can use them in your daily life to achieve your goals and aspirations. Why is this exercise important? By identifying and understanding your strengths, you will be

Food for Thought

Expand Your Understanding