Keep Calm and Focus on Your Strengths

Scientists tell us that we are biased toward the negative and that it takes more than 5 positive interactions or thoughts to overrule a negative one.

In the quote above, Craig Lounsbrough tells us about - or perhaps alerts us to - our tendency to focus on our weaknesses instead of our strengths. We can see the truth of that all around us. It doesn't have to be this way, however.

Research also shows that "applying your strengths can increase confidence, happiness, positive relationships and reduces stress and anxiety," according to the VIA Institute on Character. I don't know about you, but this gives me hope.

At this point, you may be wondering how you can focus on your strengths when you might be hard pressed to know what your strengths even are.

What can we do, you ask, to focus on our strengths, when the world around us is so tuned to weaknesses and negativity?

Discover your strengths with AWE.

Did you know that you are more likely to flourish by

❗ 9x if you are aware of your strengths!

❗18x if you work with your strengths in your daily life (at work and home)!

‼️ and 29X if you enjoy actively appreciating strengths in others and having your strengths appreciated!!

Use one of the following resources to find out what your unique strengths are.

Gallup-CliftonStrengths Report - At 59.99, this report reveals your unique combination of 34 talent-focused strengths. You can also check out the best-selling book, "Now, Discover Your Strengths."

VIA Character Strengths Survey* - The VIA Survey is the only free, scientific survey of character strengths in the world. Take this simple, 10-minute character test and discover your top 5 Signature Strengths, and a brief review of all 20 strengths that are found in each one of us.

*I am not affiliated with VIA in any way and completing the survey is completely independent of EDG Coaching, unless explicitly included in a coaching package.

Get to Know Your Strengths

In my writing, I refer to VIA Strengths unless otherwise indicated, as that it what I use in my coaching.

Familiarize yourself with your top 5 Signature Strengths, and/or a few other key strengths like the Game Changer Strengths, the strengths that are the most transformational.

Recall recent moments where you have used each of these strengths with positive outcomes.

See All 24 Strengths at the bottom of this post or visit this link to explore each strength.

Build on Your Strengths

We all have muscle, but we don't all have muscle tone. In fitness speak, to achieve muscle tone, one must build additional muscle through exercise while simultaneously reducing body fat.

When it comes to our personal and professional lives, we might have a strength but maybe it's not toned, not exercised, and surrounded by a lot of fluff.

Here are 3 ways to build on your strengths.

1. Use your strengths mindfully. Look for opportunities to consciously use one or a few of your strengths (like muscles, they don't really work in isolation). For an extra credit workout, use a strength in a normally challenging situation.
2. Play I Spy with your strengths. Choose one or two strengths to start with, and as you become more familiar with them, watch for occurrences of strength-flexing in yourself and others.
3. Increase your strengths fitness by diminishing focus on the fluff of weaknesses and finding new ways to use your strengths.

Remember, Transformation happens at the EDG! Now FLEX!

♥ Michele Jennae

The VIA Strengths are (in alphabetical order):
The Game Changer Strengths are italicized and starred*

-Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
-Bravery
-Creativity
-Curiosity*
-Fairness
-Forgiveness
-Gratitude*
-Honesty
-Hope*
-Humility
-Humor
-Judgment
-Kindness
-Leadership
-Love
-Love of Learning
-Perseverance*
-Perspective
-Prudence
-Self-regulation*
-Social Intelligence*
-Spirituality
-Teamwork
-Zest*