For today, here’s a positive psychology exercise that will increase your level of well-being in the short, medium, and long term. It’s about identifying your character strengths and using one per day in a specific activity. Here’s an example: one strength of mine is my love of study and learning. So from now on, I’m devoting every Monday afternoon to writing a chapter of my book, reading a scientific study, and preparing my lectures for my university students. I’m feeling aligned with my values and full of energy, and have the satisfaction of using the strengths that I love the most.
The icing on the cake? Taking the test with your partner and then talking about it afterward strengthens the bonds that bind you and helps unravel a lot of misunderstandings.
What’s your main strength?
Exercise: Identifying character strengths
- Go to the character strength assessment website [1] by typing “values in action” into your web browser. Register on the site (it’s free) and take the test.
- Download the results report and read it.
- Make a note of the five character strengths which represent you the most. These are considered your “signature strengths”.
Assign each strength to a day of the week. Practice one of your “signatures” each day for a month. So if Monday is your “learning and discovering” day, read an interesting article or sign up for a conference.
Using our signature strengths in daily activities considerably and sustainably improves our well-being.
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