Assignment 2

Which traits helped you succeed?

“Those who know and use their strengths achieve more with less effort.”

Strengths are the qualities that help you achieve your goals, overcome obstacles, and find satisfaction in what you do. The better you know your strengths — and use them consciously — the greater your chances of success.

Assignment

Step 1: Make a list of the qualities you see as your personal strengths.

Do this in a way that works best for you: on paper or on a digital device such as your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Step 2: Select the five strengths that helped you most in the past year — to reach your goals and to feel happy and fulfilled.

You will use this top 5 later to define your recipes for success.

Tips

• Ask family, friends, or colleagues what they see as your strengths.
• Use the inspiration list on the next page for ideas.
• Be aware of potential pitfalls: strong traits can work against you when taken too far.
  • Perseverance can turn into stubbornness
  • Caring can become controlling
  • Confidence can shift into arrogance

Inspiration List

I am / I see myself as:  

accurate, adaptable, alert, analytical, articulate, assertive, attentive, authentic, balanced, bold, brave, calm, caring, charismatic, cheerful, clear, clever, committed, compassionate, competent, confident, conscientious, considerate, consistent, cooperative, courteous, creative, curious, decisive, dedicated, dependable, detail-oriented, diplomatic, disciplined, direct, diligent, determined, efficient, empathetic, empowering, energetic, enthusiastic, expressive, flexible, focused, forgiving, friendly, funny, generous, goal-oriented, grounded, hardworking, helpful, honest, humble, humorous, imaginative, independent, influential, innovative, inquisitive, inspiring, intelligent, intuitive, joyful, kind, logical, loyal, meticulous, mindful, modest, motivated, nurturing, observant, open, open-minded, optimistic, organized, original, passionate, patient, perceptive, persistent, persuasive, playful, positive, practical, precise, principled, proactive, productive, punctual, rational, realistic, reliable, relaxed, resilient, resourceful, respectful, responsible, self-aware, self-assured, self-confident, self-reliant, self-reflective, sensible, sincere, smart, spontaneous, strategic, strong, supportive, tactful, tenacious, thoughtful, tolerant, transparent, trustworthy, uplifting, visionary, warm, well-organized, wise

Feel free to use your own words or add any traits that describe you well.