You have 24 character strengths. We all do. And they’re universal across all cultures and nations. That’s according to researchers at the VIA Institute, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between science and the practice of character strengths.
You, me, and everyone on the planet possess signature strengths (your top 5) that are at the core of your inner being. They come naturally to you; they’re energizing, and you don’t have to think about them daily.
Your character strengths are the essence of who you truly are at your core. Unlike the talents and skills we may acquire or the interests we develop over time, character strengths are innate, reflecting our deepest values and personal virtues.
Here are my core strengths!
My top 5 strengths are:
- Honesty
- Curiosity
- Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
- Zest
- Spirituality
Take the free survey and discover what your character strengths are!
If you want to know how your character strengths rank, I encourage you to go online to viacharacter.org and click on “Take the Free Survey.”
Once you take the survey – it takes about 10 minutes – you get a report ranking all 24 strengths with definitions of each.
Understanding your core strengths can help you improve your overall well-being at home, in relationships, and even professionally!
Research shows that using a signature strength in a new way can increase your happiness and even decrease depression.
Knowing your character strengths helps you better understand yourself.
Studies also show that character strengths can be used to help build better relationships, boost your confidence, reduce stress, and achieve your life goals.
Using your core strengths at work has been shown to help you enhance your work experience and have stronger positive emotions toward what you do.
What are the 24 character strengths?
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Honesty
Being honest encompasses more than simply telling the truth; it involves acting authentically and with integrity. This principle requires individuals to own up to their emotions and behaviors.
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Curiosity
Curiosity is characterized by a desire to learn, explore, and immerse oneself in new experiences, maintaining an openness to what is unfamiliar or different.
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Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
This quality involves recognizing and valuing beauty, outstanding skills, and virtuous actions in the world around us.
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Zest
Zest signifies feeling energetic and full of life. It is about engaging enthusiastically in various aspects of life, such as work, education, relationships, and leisure activities, without reservation.
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Spirituality
Spirituality relates to having meaningful beliefs about the greater purpose of life and the universe. It includes understanding one’s place in the world and holding beliefs that guide behavior and offer solace.
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Creativity
Creativity involves generating new and useful ideas for solving problems or addressing tasks, highlighting the practical application of these innovations.
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Love of Learning
This trait is about acquiring new skills, knowledge, and understanding, either independently or through formal education and training.
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Gratitude
Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and being thankful for the positive aspects of life, as well as expressing this thankfulness to others.
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Fairness
Fairness is the commitment to impartiality and justice, ensuring that personal biases do not interfere with the fair treatment of others.
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Humility
Humility is the quality of not considering oneself superior to others, allowing one’s accomplishments to speak for themselves without seeking excessive attention.
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Social Intelligence
Social intelligence is the awareness of both one’s own and others’ feelings and motivations, facilitating effective navigation through diverse social scenarios.
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Love
Love is valuing close connections with others, especially those relationships characterized by mutual care and support.
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Perseverance
Perseverance is the commitment to completing tasks despite difficulties, taking pleasure in achieving goals, and finishing projects.
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Hope
Hope involves looking forward to the future with optimism and the expectation of positive outcomes.
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Teamwork
Teamwork is the ability to effectively collaborate with others, contributing diligently towards achieving collective objectives.
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Kindness
Kindness entails performing acts of generosity and compassion toward others and demonstrating care and support.
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Judgment
Judgment involves evaluating situations from multiple perspectives and being open to revising opinions based on new evidence.
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Forgiveness
Forgiveness is offering understanding to those who have caused harm and releasing feelings of bitterness and resentment.
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Perspective
Perspective is offering sound advice and maintaining viewpoints that are insightful and comprehensible to oneself and others.
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Self-Regulation
Self-regulation deals with controlling impulses and emotions and maintaining focus and discipline even in challenging circumstances.
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Bravery
Bravery is confronting adversity and discomfort without backing down, standing firm in one’s beliefs despite opposition.
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Humor
Humor involves recognizing and sharing the amusing aspects of situations, often lightening the mood of others through jokes and witty observations.
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Prudence
Prudence is the practice of being thoughtful and cautious, avoiding unnecessary risks and actions that might lead to regret.
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Leadership
Leadership entails the drive to guide others towards common goals, taking the initiative for the benefit of the group.
