THE BEST ME
module 2:
understanding my strengths
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Focus on your character, not your reputation.
Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.
― Roy T. Bennett
your strengths report
OK, so you now have a report which lists your 24 character strengths in order.
Before we explore what this means, it's really important to understand the following 3 facts about CHARACTER STRENGTHS.
- 1Each and every one of us has ALL 24 strengths and we use them ALL to greater or lesser degrees, often depending on the situation we find ourselves in.
- 2The strengths lower down your list are NOT weaknesses, they are STILL strengths, you just might not use them as much as those strengths higher up.
- 3Your strengths can be developed, if you work on them and practice using them that is- which is precisely what this program will help you to do.
3 different types of strengths
Your 24 strengths fall into 3 categories:
We explain what each category means next.
your signature strengths
These are your top 5-7 strengths.
They are the strengths that are most important to you.
Without them you wouldn't be YOU.
You probably use these strengths more than any others, and when you do, you feel energised and whatever you are doing feels natural and easy.
ACTIVITY
[h5p id="40"]your middle strengths
Your next 10 or so strengths.
Your middle strengths help to support your signature strengths.
You tend to use these strengths when the situation requires.
A good example might be using the strength of TEAMWORK when you are doing a project at school.
These strengths help you to get the job done, but you might not use them as much.
ACTIVITY
[h5p id="41"]your lower strengths
The last 4-7 strengths.
These are NOT weaknesses, they are still strengths, they might be underdeveloped or you might not use them as much.
For example, you may or not be particularly spiritual.
Also strengths such as leadership and judgement tend to develop as you get older.
ACTIVITY
[h5p id="42"]reward
As a reward for your hard work in the module, we have a terrible really cool strengths joke for you.
I went for a job interview yesterday and the first question they asked me was:
"What's your greatest strength?"
I said: "I can do maths really fast."
The interviewer asked me:
"OK then,what's 12×17?"
Quick as a flash I replied:
"54."
Interviewer:
"That's not even close."
I said:
"Yes, but it was really fast."
It was a good one that wasn't it?
module complete
Well done.
Now you understand strengths and how they work, let's find out which ones you are going to be working on.