Why Strengths?

If you investigate any aspect of human life or human nature, you will find differences between people.  Whether you look at a personality trait, a talent, or a particular skill, there will always be some people who possess it in abundance, and others who do not.  Likewise, if you investigate any individual person, you will find some traits and skills that are well developed, and others that are not so well developed. 

So, everyone has strengths.  However, most people are completely unaware of what their strengths are - two out of three people, in fact.  We can list our weaknesses easily, but are lost for words when asked about our strengths; particularly during job interviews!  Maybe we don't want to seem like we are bragging.  Whatever the reason, we are left unaware of our strengths and lack the words to talk about them.  

Is this a problem though?  Is it really beneficial to know anything about our strengths, other than to help us get through job interviews?  Recent research has shown the benefits of knowing and using our strengths:

  • People who use their strengths in their daily lives become happier and less depressed
  • Following strengths generates optimism
  • It helps develop confidence
  • It provides a sense of direction
Also, studies have investigated the ways 'top achievers' use their strengths, and found:

  • Top achievers fully recognise their talents and develop them into strengths
  • They apply their strengths in roles that suit them best
  • They invent ways to apply their strengths to everyday tasks

So in addition to psychological benefits, it also seems that to achieve more, it is important to enter fields that make use of your own strengths, develop these strengths further and to discover ways of applying strengths in everyday life.  In this programme, the focus is on strengths of character rather than particular talents or skills.

 It involves the Values-In-Action Inventory of Strengths; a questionnare hosted at www.authentichappiness.org.  A lot of research has been conducted on this model of human strengths, and the researchers have identified 24 strengths of character that are found and valued across cultures.  You will receive information on which of these 24 strengths you possess in abundance, and which you possess to a lesser degree.  Then you will be asked to use some of these strengths in new and different ways for a one week period, as part of your everyday life.  

You will be given suggestions on how to do this, but you will be free to use your strengths in any way you wish.  Whichever of these 24 strengths you are asked to use, it is likely that you will experienced increased happiness and reduced depression, and will be able to use this as a stepping-stone towards using your strengths to achieve more, if you so wish.  These are the kind of claims made by expensive personal development courses and books, however as this is a research programme, it is completely free.  Please remember that this is a scientific research programme and these benefits are not guaranteed.

You will also be entered into a prize draw to win £30 (around US$60) after completing the study.  

If you are interested in taking part, contact me at strengthsresearch@yahoo.com and request a  questionnaire.  I will reply with the questionnaires and information you need to get started.   

Important note: Please add strengthsresearch@yahoo.com to your contacts list, to prevent the emails entering your junk folder.