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Questions & Reflections
Jessica : The Evolutionary Connector - Gaia Posted on July 29, 2008
by Jessica

My Signature Strengths...

Posted on Jul 29th, 2008 by Jessica : The Evolutionary Connector - Gaia Jessica
Some of you might know about Martin Seligman and his book Authentic Happiness. He's a scientist and pioneer in positive psychology. Although I know he's done some ethically questionable research, I really did enjoy his book and his observations about what factors influence happiness and fulfillment.

He's also the Director of U Penn's Positive Psychology Center. Those academics do a lot of research and their website features a number of tests you can take to delve deeper and examine your own happiness and your signature strengths, because of course, we're more likely to be fulfilled if we are using those strengths in our daily lives.

Siona encouraged the Team to take the Signature Strength test. I took it for the first time two years ago. And indeed, my results have changed over the past two years. I think Seligman and his crew do a good job choosing questions and asking them in different ways. Even so, these tests are, after all, only as good as their takers. You have to want to understand yourself and witness. You have to try to look at yourself honestly and do your best.

I did find some of the questions to be too simple, using terms like happiness and suffering with the assumption that they are universally bad or unequivocally good, with which I disagree. For example, hope, optimism and future-mindedness is low on my list of strengths, yet I am not a pessimist. I just know and honestly hope I cannot predict the future. I hope it will be beyond my personal and limited imagining because I believe life can be miraculous if you work hard enough. I plan for the future and work hard to make the unknown the best unknown there is. Of course, what is best really isn't for me to decide, it's for Tao or God or the Force to create ;)

In any case, I think all multiple choice tests are  too limited to fully reflect the depth of our profound and awesome world. And, I think things get a little fuzzy after the first 5 strengths or so, because the test doesn't show how the strengths really measure up next to each other or to some other common standard. Nevertheless, it's a good exercise, fun to play with and some truth is revealed. I was not surprised to see spirituality at the top of the list. I will be interested to take it a year from now and see how things change. Try the test for yourself!

And, without further ado, my Signature Strengths:

Your Top Strength

Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith
You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.

Your Second Strength

Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

Your Third Strength

Curiosity and interest in the world
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

Your Fourth Strength

Leadership
You excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. You do a good job organizing activities and seeing that they happen.

Your Fifth Strength

Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.

Strength#6

Appreciation of beauty and excellence
You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

Strength#7

Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group.

Strength#8

Kindness and generosity
You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. You enjoy doing good deeds for others, even if you do not know them well.

Strength#9

Love of learning
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.

Strength#10

Perspective (wisdom)
Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself.

Strength#11

Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

Strength#12

Social intelligence
You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease.

Strength#13

Bravery and valor
You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions.

Strength#14

Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

Strength#15

Capacity to love and be loved
You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you.

Strength#16

Forgiveness and mercy
You forgive those who have done you wrong. You always give people a second chance. Your guiding principle is mercy and not revenge.

Strength#17

Industry, diligence, and perseverance
You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

Strength#18

Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.

Strength#19

Humor and playfulness
You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.

Strength#20

Self-control and self-regulation
You self-consciously regulate what you feel and what you do. You are a disciplined person. You are in control of your appetites and your emotions, not vice versa.

Strength#21

Zest, enthusiasm, and energy
Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure.

Strength#22

Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control.

Strength#23

Caution, prudence, and discretion
You are a careful person, and your choices are consistently prudent ones. You do not say or do things that you might later regret.

Strength#24

Modesty and humility
You do not seek the spotlight, preferring to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You do not regard yourself as special, and others recognize and value your modesty.

Access_public Access: Public 7 Comments Print Send views (161)  
Nicole : lovelightsinger
about 6 hours later
Nicole said

thanks, Godpodded…

Siona : Synchronicity Coordinator
about 12 hours later
Siona said

This is so sweet, seeing everyone's unique combination. It's giving me such a beautiful understanding of each of you! Thanks. :)

Shifting Your Energy : Energy Shifters
about 14 hours later
Shifting Your Energy said

Thanks for giving us a
glimpse of  all your Strengths!
Here are mine.

tinkonthebrink : serendipitous researcher
1 day later
tinkonthebrink said

I think it would be interesting to have someone who knows you very well take the test on your behalf. Would other people see us the same way we do?

Jessica : The Evolutionary Connector - Gaia
1 day later
Jessica said

Thanks for the comments everyone and sharing your strengths!

Rapunzel, I love that idea. It would be very interesting to see how we come across to others.

tinkonthebrink : serendipitous researcher
1 day later
tinkonthebrink said

okay, Albert and I have known each other for awhile and we'll try it. This is fun.

Mila : Adventurer
13 days later
Mila said

Great to know you better! Hugs!

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