The VIA survey of character strengths identifies 24 signature strengths. Most people have one or two top signature strengths. When these top strengths are identified and utilized, this can help a person experience greater confidence and a have a sense of purpose and meaning.
Courage is a virtue that can be cultivated by practicing the strengths of Integrity and Valour.
Integrity is the ability to tell the truth, or to appear in an authentic manner and to act in a sincere way. To cultivate Integrity:
- Speak the truth.
- Live your life authentically and in harmony with your values.
- Practice being transparent – that is to act and speak in a way that consistently represents who you are, no matter what circumstance you are in or with whom you keep company.
- Make a list of people you feel are genuine, think about the characteristics you most like and admire about them and emulate these characteristics.
Valour or Bravery is living without recoiling from difficulty or shirking fear.
To cultivate Valour/Bravery:
- Dare to speak your truth, what you truly believe in, even if it is not the popular, prevalent, opinion of others.
- Avoid engaging in procrastination, as procrastination often appears when we want to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
- Psychologically, Valour can be practiced by not emotionally collapsing when a friend or loved one is experiencing pain, but instead being able to be present, calm and supportive.
- historic person to think of who practiced valour is Florence Nightingale, who tended wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.
Feel free to contact me with questions about your strengths and ways to creatively use them.
Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
Positive Psychology counselling in Asheville, NC and Phone Consulting for effectively and Positively navigating life’s challenges.
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