1. Get to you know what you’re good at: a first step towards resilience
To provide feedback for the following module please with “Resilience Modules: Name of Module”” as the subject and address the following questions:
On a scale from 1 (not useful) to 7 (very useful) for your classroom/workshop, how would you rate this module?
On a similar scale from 1 (not enjoyable) to 7 (very enjoyable), how would you rate the participants’ experience?
How likely do you think that your students/participants will use these skills later, 1 (not likely) to 7 (very likely)?
If you’d like to include further information about how many participants, approximate age range, setting, etc. that would also be helpful to our mission.
Compiled by the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University

2. Getting to know your strengths
Step 1: Identify your strengths
Step 2: Evaluate your strengths knowledge
Step 3: Gather evidence from a friend/partner

3. Step 1: Identify your strengths
Take Gallup StrengthsFinder
Write down your top 5 signature strengths
My Top 5 Strengths
Focus
Empathy
Arranger
Individualization
Harmony
My Top 5 Strengths
Learner
Achiever
Woo
Relator
Strategic

4. Step 2: Evaluate your strengths knowledge
The following questions ask you about your strengths, that is, the things that you are able to do well or do best. Record your answers using the following scale:
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree or disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Strengths knowledge 1.
I know my strengths well. 2.
Other people see the strengths that I have. 3.
I know the things I am good at doing. 4.
I have to think hard about what my strengths are. 5.
I know when I am at my best.
Knowledge subscale of Strengths Use and Knowledge Questionnaire -- Govindji, R., & Linley, P. A. (2007). Strengths use, self-concordance and well-being: Implications for strengths coaching and coaching psychologists.International Coaching Psychology Review, 2(2),

5. Step 2: Evaluate your strengths knowledge
Score
Strengths knowledge: add up your scores for #1- 5, then divide by 5 to get an average
Evaluate
Higher scores means you know your strengths well, with 7 being the highest possible score
How are you doing? Which area(s) have room for improvement?

6. Step 3: Gather evidence from a friend/partner
Get another person’s perspective.
Ask a friend/ partner some of these questions:
Do you think I know myself well?
How in tuned do you think I am with my strengths?
Are my strengths visible to other people?
When do you see me at my best?
In what situations do you think I thrive?
What tasks do I seem naturally good at?
How well do you think I use my strengths?
How can I used my strengths more often?

7. Strengths: The basics What are strengths?
(a) intrinsically considered a moral quality, irrespective of benefits
(b) a stable trait
(c) enhancement of other people when expressed (rather than harming them)
(d) the focus of institutional development (e.g., in religious or educational settings).
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.

8. Strengths: The basics
Some strengths are universal -- people tend to endorse similar strengths across cultures.
The 5 most common StrengthsFinder strengths are Achiever, Responsibility, Learner, Relator and Strategic.
The 5 least common StrengthsFinder strengths are Command, Self-assurance, Significance, Discipline and Context
Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. (2005). Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: The full life versus the empty life. Journal of happiness studies, 6(1),

9. What the research says
People have intrinsic motivation to use their strengths
Over time, strengths use lead to reduced stress, and greater self-esteem, vitality and positive affect
People who use their strengths are more engaged at work

10. The resilience benefit
Learning about your strengths gives you a working framework that helps guide future decisions, such as career opportunities, roles in team tasks, and ways to resolve conflict in interpersonal relationships.
Knowing your strengths helps you focus on growth, to maximize what you are good at, instead of focusing on deficit and trying to fix your weaknesses

11. More ways to learn about your strengths
For each of your Top 5 strengths, answer these questions:
When is this strength helpful?
When can this strength be problematic?
When do other people notice this strength?

12. Increasing your strengths use
Think about one of your strengths. Identify 1 new way you can apply this strength in each of the following areas
School/work
Romantic relationships
Friendships