Personal Strengths As Levers Of Change And Transformation
“Give me a point of support and I will move the world” said Archimedes when developing the principle of the lever, where a point of support multiplies the applied force. This mathematician and scientist from ancient Greece wanted to convey that, with a firm support point and the application of appropriate force, one could move any object, even the entire world.
In a similar sense, Personal strengths act as psychological support points that allow us to face life’s challenges and transform our own inner and outer world, achieving greater well-being, meaning and fulfillment. Strengths connect us with our most authentic essence, with that inner Light that when turned on also illuminates everything around us.
What are they and what are the Strengths that we can rely on?
Seligman and Peterson, psychologists in the field of Positive Psychology, carried out a study on the most common strengths that occurred in human beings, referring to character strengths as those positive intrinsic qualities that define us and shape our experience in the world, help us live a fuller and more meaningful life and they have the quality that we can develop them.
In their study, Seligman and Peterson provided a solid framework for understanding these strengths with their Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV). Organized into six main virtue categories: Wisdom and Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Moderation and Transcendence, these virtues encompass a wide range of 24 strengths that are briefly described below to help you recognize which ones are yours:
Mental strengths that encompass the acquisition and application of knowledge.
Courage
Emotional skills that involve achieving goals in the face of challenges, whether internal or external.
Humanity
Interpersonal strengths that include caring, providing friendship and affection to others.
Justice
Civic strengths that entail living together in a healthy way.
Moderation
Strengths that protect us from excesses.
Transcendence
Strengths that encompass the connection with a transcendent purpose and that give meaning to existence.
appreciation of beauty: Show admiration for beauty in everyday life and be interested in nature, art and science.
Gratitude: Be grateful to others and be grateful for the things we have and the good things that happen to us.
Hope: Maintain the expectation of a good future and strive to achieve it, trusting that building a better future is in our hands.
Sense of humor: Enjoy laughter and humor, brighten others with smiles, and focus on the positive in life.
Spirituality: Believe in a purpose or meaning beyond our existence, and trust in something higher to guide and protect us.
Here are some questions for you to reflect on your personal strengths:
What do you consider to be the strengths that best represent you?
What everyday actions do you take in your different contexts and relationships that reflect those strengths?
What other strengths do you think you could develop to have an even greater impact on your life, your relationships, and your environment?
Benefits of applying and leaning on our Strengths: the principle of Leverage
Cultivating and strengthening these 24 strengths in our daily lives has a positive impact on us and those around us. We can find the support we need to face challenges, develop meaningful relationships, and live a full and meaningful life. Each strength acts as a psychological fulcrum that propels us forward, helping us move our inner and outer world toward greater well-being and fulfillment.
For example, Wisdom and Knowledge include strengths such as creativity, curiosity, and open-mindedness, which allow us to approach challenges with insight and find innovative solutions. Courage encompasses virtues such as bravery and persistence, which give us the strength necessary to overcome obstacles and face our fears.
Humanity connects us with others through love, compassion and altruism, strengths that allow us to establish meaningful relationships and contribute to the well-being of the community. Justice promotes equity, leadership and teamwork, fundamental to building a more just and supportive world.
Moderation helps us maintain balance in our actions and emotions, promoting prudence, authenticity and self-regulation. Finally, Transcendence connects us to something greater than ourselves, through spirituality, gratitude, hope, and appreciation of the beauty in the world.
Conclusion
Archimedes’ quote, “Give me a foothold and I will move the world,” illustrates how our personal strengths can be catalysts for driving change. Like small leverage points, our strengths can have a significant impact if we apply them effectively. Identifying and using these strengths gives us a sense of connection to our essence and empowerment as it allows us to face challenges with more confidence and creativity. Thus, by recognizing and leaning on our strengths, we can achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and contribute to positive change around us by contributing our Light.
