Roads to Self Knowledge

I like – and use – several other assessments to identify strengths, as a prelude to positive change.  These are just a few of my favorite assessments available online.

1. You can take the VALUES IN ACTION survey at http://www.viacharacter.org on your own.

The survey is free, and you will be contributing to ongoing academic research on character strengths just by taking it.  It consists of 240 statements that you rate according to your subjective responses.  Your “signature strengths”–the top 5 you have selected out of 24 listed–come to you as a free report from the VIA Institute on Character.  Some examples of the strengths identified are Gratitude, Zest, the Ability to Love and Be Loved, Optimism, and Curiosity.  These particular strengths play a major role in life satisfaction, but all of the other strengths can help us thrive as well, when we recognize them and use them consciously.

If you would like a more extensive report, with suggestions of activities that would increase the benefits of your particular character strengths, the fee is $40.00. Go to http://www.viacharacter.org for more information on the different kinds of reports.

The VIA “bible,” compiled by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, is Character Strengths and Virtues.  Peterson has also written an excellent book called A Primer of Positive Psychology, and Seligman has written the classic Authentic Happiness.which everyone should read.

I took the VIA Intensive Course in October 2009 in order to learn how to help people use their strengths to best advantage.  Can people overuse their strengths?  Yes, absolutely, if the strengths are too much out of balance, or if you are neglecting strengths that would contribute greatly to living your best life.  Working to make appropriate changes can make a huge difference.  This is where coaching can help.

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2. The REALISE2, from the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) in England, is similar to the VIA. The CAPP assessment looks at your strengths slightly differently and gives you different information.  It is especially useful for organizations and in teams, CAPP says. There, knowing people’s different strengths and weaknesses can be helpful  in portioning out work roles more productively.

You get a pie chart that shows your realized strengths (which naturally energize you); your potential strengths (which would energize you if you used them more); your weaknesses (which drain you); and your learned behaviors (which also tend to be draining).  You get a somewhat personalized program for self-development based on this information.

The cost is approximately $25.00, and a portion of the fee goes to CAPP’s work to improve the quality of life in third world countries.  Visit the CAPP website .

I have taken the REALISE2 and find that the 60 or so strengths listed here have a more practical bent than the VIA list.  They are more descriptive of actual behaviors, such as connecting to others, getting the job done, seeing the big picture.  Alex Linley, CAPP’s founder, has written  a useful book on this approach called AVERAGE TO A+. A new book is coming out soon based on CAPP’s list of strengths and the ways they can be leveraged.  I’ll tell you more when it appears.