Harnessing Your Personality Strengths

In the pursuit of psychological well-being, understanding and leveraging your unique personality strengths can be a powerful tool.

Each person possesses a distinct set of qualities, characteristics, and talents that make them who they are.

Personality strengths can be defined in many different ways. You may consider whether you possess qualities like empathy, influence, conscientiousness, or persistence and whether you accept them as integral parts of who you are. Here are some quick and practical steps you can take to launch your self-discovery and set you on a path of personal development. 

1. Self-awareness: 

Self-awareness is key to a healthier and happier you and is the cornerstone of personal growth and mental wellbeing. Self-awareness refers to understanding and knowing your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, strengths and values. By cultivating self-awareness, we can gain a better understanding of our own motivations, desires, and fears. This understanding serves as a compass, guiding us towards making choices that align with our true selves. 

A good first step on your journey is self-reflection and self-discovery. You can approach this by asking yourself some simple but thought-provoking questions, such as “What do others often compliment me on or seek my advice for?” “What am I good at and enjoy doing?” “In challenging situations what personal qualities do I rely on?” You can seek feedback from others and ask them how they would describe your strengths and what they think you are good at. The perspectives of others can offer alternative viewpoints and help us challenge our assumptions, promoting personal growth.  

2. Find opportunities to apply your strengths:

It is important to align your strengths with your goals and aspirations. Start with identifying opportunities to apply your strengths in various areas of your life that you care about, such as work, hobbies, and personal relationships. You can do this by paying attention to tasks and activities that naturally draw you in and make you feel energised. When engaging in these activities, try to notice the skills or qualities you rely on. This can indicate the strengths you possess that apply in the areas of life that you value. It is also beneficial to continuously develop your personal qualities. Invest in learning opportunities, work with a life coach or sign up for a new activity. By engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment, your strengths will naturally emerge and continue to build.

3. Cultivate self-compassion:

Self-compassion is an essential practice for personal growth. You can embrace self-compassion by acknowledging that we are all different and possess unique strengths and characteristics that need to be developed. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on nurturing your own talents and qualities. Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. When you notice self-critical or negative thoughts, pause and observe them without judgment. Challenge negative self-talk by paying attention to the way you speak to yourself. It can be helpful to think of your mind as a suggestion box, it brings up many suggestions and you can choose which are helpful or encouraging, and which can be ignored. Remember your thoughts are not facts, they are merely recommendations your mind throws at you based on assumptions and beliefs. Treat yourself with kindness and make a conscious effort to practice self-care activities. You can align these activities with your strengths so that you gain joy and fulfillment while caring for yourself.