Feeling hopeless or helpless? That you don’t have any control over your life? You can begin to feel more in control by utilizing one or more of your specific character strengths. You can take the Values-In-Action (VIA) Survey of Character Strengths to identify your individual strengths, and then by utilizing one or more of your strengths, feel more empowered.
Among the character strengths included in the VIA Survey are Social Intelligence and Perspective. Social Intelligence can also be termed as emotional or personal intelligence. It is described as the ability to be aware of the motivations and emotions of others and knowing what to do to adapt to diverse social circumstances. Perspective could also be viewed as “Wisdom”. It is an ability to see different points of view.
Here are some ways to cultivate each of these strengths:
To cultivate Social Intelligence:
- Try to meet a new person every day.
- Talk to someone at a gathering you might never expect to talk to.
- Get involved in more social events.
- Reach out to people who appear to be alone.
- When conversing with someone, ask questions to understand what makes them happy and why they enjoy their particular interests and passions.
To cultivate Perspective:
- Study a great quote everyday from great thinkers, writers, and philosophers.
- Try listening to the opinion of someone with whom you do not entirely agree and stretch yourself to understand why they might have the stance that they have.
- Educate yourself about historic people – their values, beliefs and their stand on prominent issues.
- Have a mentor, someone you deem as a wise person, as a role model you can learn from.
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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