When someone asks you to describe yourself, or to list your top strengths, have you ever struggled? It can feel a bit weird to just start talking about how great you are, and at times it can even be hard to come up with an answer to this type of question. It seems easier and more acceptable for someone else to tell you what they think you are good at, rather than feeling as if you are bragging about yourself.
I feel as we are overlooking an important part here, though. Knowing yourself is just as important, if not more so than others knowing you. It is essential to be able to personally identify yourself, to know your strengths and weaknesses. The VIA Character Strengths Survey is approximately a fifteen minute long survey of which at the end provides you with a list of 24 strengths, ranked in order of your top strengths all the way to the end, which are traits that may not describe you very well if at all.
I was required to take this survey for a class of mine, and I realized soon thereafter just how beneficial it was to me and have even recommended it to a few friends. When you receive your results, you are able to click on each trait and a description will pop up, giving you a more detailed definition of what that particular trait reflects about you. Given that you take your time on the survey and provide honest responses, the results can be quite intriguing. This survey is a great way to identify and discover things about yourself, some you may have known already and some new. Looking at this list highlights what you do well, and reflecting on this can help you to view yourself in a more positive light - related to my previous blog about self-compassion.
Though we might think we already know what we are good at and what we value the most, this is not something most people keep consistently active in their brains. It is a helpful tool to have these traits refreshed in your mind, providing you with the opportunity to focus on those particular traits and continuing to incorporate them into your daily life. Taking what you are good at - and ensuring that you uphold those traits and begin to use them even more is a wonderful way to self-improve.
On the other hand, it can be even more difficult to face our weaknesses, or areas that could use some work. Though the results of this survey do not state them to be weaknesses, the traits at the bottom of your list are those that least represent you. I believe a vital part of self-improvement revolves around taking your weaknesses and working to improve them. If after reviewing your results you notice some traits low on your list that you would like to see higher, it is then in your hands to make the change. Being able to recognize something that you would like to see change, and taking it upon yourself to actively make that change shows that you are ready and capable of improving yourself and moving towards becoming the person you hope to be.
I highly recommend taking 15 minutes out of your day to complete this survey, and begin using your results to better yourself day by day! You can reach the survey at the following link: http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Survey
I struggle with surveys. As you say, it is hard to be objective when evaluating yourself. Actually being able to do so is a great trait!
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