Strengths Discovery: An Interactive Tool to Find Your Character Strengths | PsychKit.org

The Strengths Discovery

An Interactive Exercise to Find What’s Best in You

Discover Your Core Strengths

This exercise will guide you through a reflective process to identify your unique character strengths. Knowing and using your strengths is a proven path to greater happiness and resilience.

Step 1: Recall a Positive Memory

Think of a specific time when you were at your best. A time you felt proud, effective, or truly yourself. Describe what happened.

Step 2: What Strengths Did You Use?

Read through the list of character strengths below. Select all the ones you used in the memory you just described.

Your Identified Strengths

These are the strengths you identified in your story. The more you practice this exercise, the more you’ll notice these positive qualities in yourself. Consider how you can use one of these strengths this week.

What Are Character Strengths?

Character strengths are the positive parts of your personality that impact how you think, feel, and behave. They are the qualities that are authentic to you and that feel energizing to use. Unlike skills, which are things you learn to do, strengths are core to who you are—they are your inner resources.

Psychology has traditionally focused on fixing what’s wrong, but the field of Positive Psychology focuses on building what’s strong. Identifying and using your unique character strengths is one of the most effective pathways to a happier, more engaged, and more resilient life. This interactive tool will guide you through a simple exercise to discover your own.

When Should I Use This Tool?

Discovering your strengths is a valuable exercise for anyone, at any point in life. It is particularly helpful when you are looking to:

Build self-esteem and confidence: Focusing on what you do well is a powerful antidote to self-criticism.
Find more meaning and purpose: Aligning your work and life with your core strengths leads to greater fulfillment.
Increase happiness and well-being: Research shows that using your top strengths in new ways is a reliable way to boost happiness.
Improve your relationships: Understanding your own strengths and those of others can lead to greater appreciation and connection.
Navigate a career change or life transition: Knowing your strengths can provide a clear sense of direction.

The Science Behind It: The VIA Classification of Strengths

This exercise is based on the groundbreaking research of Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Christopher Peterson, who created the VIA (Values in Action) Classification of Character Strengths. They studied texts from cultures and traditions all over the world and identified 24 core character strengths that are universally valued.

A Focus on What’s Right: The VIA framework provides a common language for discussing human goodness and strength. It shifts the focus of psychology from a “disease model” to a “health model,” helping people build on their inherent positive qualities.
Signature Strengths: While we all possess all 24 strengths to some degree, we each have a unique profile. Our top 5-7 strengths are called our “signature strengths.” These are the ones that are most essential to our identity and feel most natural to use.
The Link to Well-being: A large body of research has shown a strong correlation between knowing and using your signature strengths and higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and engagement. When you use your strengths, you are more likely to experience “flow,” a state of complete absorption in an activity that is deeply rewarding.

Important Safety Disclaimer & When to Seek Help

This tool is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.

This is a positive and safe exercise for everyone. The goal is to reflect on times you were at your best. Remember that everyone’s profile of strengths is unique and valuable; there are no “bad” or “good” strengths to have.

If you are struggling with severe low self-esteem, depression, or a lack of purpose, this tool can be a wonderful starting point for shifting your perspective. However, it is most effective when used alongside support from a qualified mental health professional who can help you integrate this knowledge into a broader therapeutic plan. If you are in crisis, please call your local emergency number.