H3 Daily

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Wellness Coaching Corner: Discover your Strengths

When it comes to changing one or more aspects of our wellness, we have to always work in the present and think about where we want to be down the line. Having this mindset gives us the attitude that we can achieve anything we put our minds to because we’re not focusing on the past. The only time we should look back into the past is to discover the strengths that have helped us succeed.

 The mindset I always try to remember is that success is becoming everything you set out to be. What I’m saying is that every person has the ability to achieve incredible results, but half the battle is imagining those results and using your strengths. Wellness coaches help clients to shape their lives by utilizing their signature strengths and calling on past accomplishments.

Today, I’d like you to think about how far you’ve progressed in your own personal wellness road map, but also in life in general and try to remember what helped get you to where you are today. By answering a few questions you’ll become more self-aware of the strengths you never thought you owned.

1)      What worked well when you studied for a big test or finalized a school project?

2)      What strengths have you called on throughout your work day to get the job done?

3)      What do you do that makes you an excellent parent?

4)      What skills and knowledge make you a good team member?

5)      If someone asked your friends about your number one strength, what would it be?

If you’re really interested in learning more about yourself and the strengths you posses there is this pretty cool and revealing Signature Strengths quiz developed by Peterson and Seligman, board members of the American Psychology Association. The VIA Signature Strengths quiz will open your eyes into how you really operate and identify the core of what makes you successful.

When clicking the Via Signature Strengths Quiz link, scroll down the page to the right. To take the assessment you will have to create a user name and password, but it’s Free!! The eye opener takes 35 minutes to complete, but it’s certainly worth the time! Post your 5 signature strengths in the comments section … I know I will!

5 comments:

  1. VERY helpful survey Jeff! It helped me not just by looking at the strengths, but by looking at the list of the other strengths and seeing which ones were not my strongest ...

    Top Strength:
    Humor and playfulness

    Second Strength: Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith

    Third Strength:
    Appreciation of beauty and excellence

    Fourth Strength:
    Kindness and generosity

    Fifth Strength:
    Social intelligence

    ReplyDelete
  2. No lie Erik! It's always good to see the strengths that we can build on. I'm not surprised that your top strength is humor and playfulness and second strength that sense of purpose. I think I would have pegged yo uon all of those :)

    Here's mine see what you think.
    Top Strength:
    Curiosity, oppenness to experience
    Second:
    Persistence, Perseverance
    Third:
    Vitality, Zest, ENERGY : )
    Fourth:
    Kindness and generosity
    Fifth:
    Citizenship, teamwork

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeff - thanks for the post and the survey. Here were my top 5:

    1. Kindness and generosity

    2. Gratitude
    3. Fairness, equity, and justice
    4. Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness
    5. Caution, prudence, and discretion

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your welcome Prathima, I think all 5 of your signature strengths are just what I remember about you. Appreciate the comment!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never been to H3, but I recently have seen some episodes of Heavy(which explains why this is 2 months later..), and I want to come some day! This was very eye opening! I had a feeling I knew my biggest weakness, and seeing the website nail it as well really is making me think! Thank you Jeff!

    Your Top Strength
    Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness

    Your Second Strength
    Caution, prudence, and discretion

    Your Third Strength
    Leadership

    Your Fourth Strength
    Industry, diligence, and perseverance

    Your Fifth Strength
    Love of learning

    ReplyDelete