Using Your Strengths in New Ways - 5

This is our final post looking at new ways of applying VIA-IS character strengths; today we're covering Prudence, Self-Regulation, Humility/Modesty and Spirituality.

The reason for applying your signature strengths in new ways every day is because research shows it is an effective way to improve your well-being longer-term (See Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, 2005).

PRUDENCE:
i) When driving stay 5 miles per hour under the speed limit
ii) Think twice before saying anything other than "please" or "thank you"
iii) Before you decide to do something, reflect on its likely consequences 1 hour, 1 day or 1 year later


SELF-REGULATION:
i) Start an exercise programme and stick to it every day
ii) Tidy your desk or office every night before you go home
iii) When tempted to lose your cool, count to 10 (or until the emotion subsides)
iv) Resolve not to gossip. Stop yourself before you talk about someone behind their back.

HUMILITY / MODESTY
i) Don't talk about yourself for a full day
ii) Dress in a way that does not to draw attention to yourself
iii) Find a way in which a colleague is better than you. Compliment them for it

SPIRITUALITY:
i) Every day think about the purpose of your life
ii) Meditate or pray at the start of every day
iii) Attend a religious service of a faith unfamiliar to you
iv) For 5 minutes every day think about what you can do to improve the world or your community.

It's recommended that you try the same activity every day for a couple of weeks, although bear in mind that if it really isn't working for you after a few days, pick another one.

For more activities related to Integrity, Love, Humour, Appreciation of Beauty or Social Intelligence, click here.

For activities related to using Fairness, Kindness, Open-Mindedness, Curiosity, Love of Learning or Creativity, click here.

For activities related to Leadership, Gratitude, Perspective, Forgiveness, Teamwork (Citizenship) and Bravery, click here.

For activities related to Perseverance, Vitality and Hope, click here.

We'd also love to hear your own examples of activities that worked for you.

In future posts we'll be exploring the CIPD's model of well-being at work, as well as the benefits and downsides of other Strengths models, such as the Clifton StrengthsFinder.