"I do not believe that you should devote overly much effort to correcting your weaknesses. Rather, I believe that the highest success in living and the deepest emotional satisfaction comes from building and using your signature strengths." ~ Martin Seligman from Authentic Happiness
There's Martin Seligman's brilliant book, Authentic Happiness, in a nutshell. (Have you taken his free signature strengths assessment yet?!? What're you waiting for?!!? www.authentichappiness.com! :) )
Another one of my favorite books on the science of happiness is by a guy amed Robert Sternberg. In Successful Intelligence, he introduced us to this idea that we shouldn't spend too much time on our weaknesses. His research showed that the most successful among us aren't those with the highest IQs or SAT's or GPA's. The most successful are those who know who they are, what they're good at and they rock those strengths--spending just enough time to make sure their weaknesses didn't kick their butt and the rest of the time developing their strengths. Powerful stuff.
Research speaks LOUDLY that we need to figure out what our strengths are and use them often.
So, what are your strengths? What are you great at? What do you most enjoy doing? (Good news is that they all usually go together. :)
Before you cruise over to the web site to take the "Signature Strengths" test at www.authentichappiness.com, let's take a first pass at self-identifying your greatest strengths, shall we?!?
My greatest strengths are:
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"You could say that I worked every minute of my life, or you could say with equal justice that I never worked a day. I have always subscribed to the expression "Thank God it's Friday," because to me Friday means I can work for the next two days without interruption." ~ John Hope Franklin
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"The good life consists in deriving happiness by using your signature strengths every day in the main realms of living. The meaningful life adds one more component: using these same strengths to forward knowledge, power, or goodness. A life that does this is pregnant with meaning, and if God comes at the end, such a life is sacred." ~ Martin Seligman from Authentic Happiness
More Mojo from Authentic Happiness
How to create the greatest year of your life: Get inspired by the Big Ideas from Authentic Happiness (+ 99 (!) other great books) conveniently packaged in a 6-page PDF + a ~20-minute MP3. All for 49 bucks. Sweet deal, eh? Sign up now and get your wisdom on!
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PhilosophersNotes on Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman | |||||
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