How to find them (and why they matter)
(Pro tip: Click on the bold text to access the free VIA strengths survey.)
Navigating the challenges of academia, relationships, and personal growth often feels daunting. But what if you had a toolkit tailored specifically to enhance your well-being and help you thrive in all areas of life?
Welcome to the world of character strengths – a core concept in positive psychology, pioneered by Dr. Christopher Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman. Understanding and applying these strengths can help you turn challenges into stepping stones toward progress and success.
What are character strengths?
Character strengths are the qualities that make up who we are, fundamentally influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. According to positive psychology research, there are 24 character strengths that fall under six broad values: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. These strengths, which include qualities like curiosity, resilience, kindness, fairness, self-regulation, and appreciation of beauty, are universally valued across cultures and societies.
Why are character strengths important?
Character strengths serve as a foundation for personal development and life satisfaction. For students, these strengths are particularly crucial as they provide the mental and emotional tools needed to face academic pressures, build healthy relationships, and make meaningful choices. They are also linked to improved life satisfaction, better mental and physical health, and enhanced academic achievement.
How can you use character strengths?
The first step in harnessing the power of character strengths is to identify what your top strengths are. The VIA Character Strengths Survey, which you can take for free, offers a scientifically validated way to discover your unique profile of strengths. Once you know your top strengths, you can begin to apply them in various aspects of your life. Let’s look at some examples…
Academic work: Use curiosity and love of learning to drive your study habits.
Relationships: Employ kindness and teamwork to build stronger bonds.
Personal challenges: Lean on bravery and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
Knowing your strengths – what are the benefits?
Increased happiness: Using your strengths can boost your mood and overall satisfaction.
Enhanced resilience: Strengths like perseverance and hope can help you cope with stress and recover from setbacks.
Better performance: Aligning tasks with your strengths can increase productivity and excellence in your work.
Character strengths are more than just traits; they are a set of capabilities that can guide you toward a more fulfilling and successful life. By understanding and cultivating these strengths, you’ll not only be able to excel in your studies but also cultivate a life with greater purpose and joy.
Start your journey by identifying your strengths today and weave them into the fabric of your daily life and see how they enhance your academic and personal life.
"The good life consists in deriving happiness by using your signature strengths every day in the main realms of living."
~ Martin Seligman
