What are your Signature Strengths?
We find more happiness and satisfaction in our lives when it is aligned with our signature strengths. Hmm...What are Signature Strengths, you ask?
Well, these are a compilation of 24 different Strengths that fall under six broad virtue categories: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperament ce and transcendence. These strengths are areas in our lives where we can flourish.
I took a deep look into myself and assessed which strengths I have and which strengths I'm lacking. I was surprised to see how many strengths I have at this stage in my life. I guess I have learned a lot about myself in 31 years! That's why I want you to take a deeper look into YOUR life so you can assess your own strengths. By knowing what you are good at, you allow yourself the opportunity to live a happier and more authentic life. Doesn't that sound satisfying? Let's do this!
The 24 Signature Strengths
Strengths of Wisdom and Knowledge:
Cognitive Strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge
1) Creativity: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things
2) Curiosity: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; exploring and discovering
3) Open-mindedness: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; weigh all evidence fairly
4) Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics and bodies of knowledge, whether on one's own or formally
5) Perspective: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that makes sense to oneself and others
Strengths of Courage:
Emotional Strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of both external and internal opposition
6) Bravery: Not shrinkingfrom threats, challenges, difficulties of pain
7) Persistence: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles
8) Integrity: Presenting oneself in a genuine way
9) Vitality: Approaching life with excitement and energy; feeling alive!
Strengths of Humanity:
Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others
10) Love: Valuing close relations with others; esp. those in which sharing and caring ARE RECIPROCATED
11) Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds for others
12) Social Intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself
Strengths of Justice:
Civic Strengths that support healthy community life
13) Citizenship: Working well as a member of a group or team
14) Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice
15) Leadership: Organizing group activities and seeing that they get done
Strengths of Temperance:
Strengths that protect against excess
16) Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful
17) Humility: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than another
18) Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks
19) Self-regulation: Regulating what one feels and does
Strengths of Transcendence:
Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning
20) Appreciation of beauty and excellence: Appreciating beauty, excellence and/or skilled performance in various domains of life
21) Gratitude: Being aware and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks
22) Hope: Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it
23) Humor: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side
24) Spirituality: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose, the meaning of life, and the meaning of the universe
Yes, that was a lot to go through BUT I think it's a great exercise to assess where you're at in your own life and journey. Where can you improve? Where can you grow? Which area is your strongest virtue category? I would love to hear what you discovered about yourself through this exercise!
Till Next Time :)