Empowering Women: Thriving Through Strengths
I don’t think most people seek therapy to focus on their strengths. Usually, they contact me because they’re focusing on the opposite. “These are the ways I’m not feeling great,” or “This is an issue I really need to work on.” I completely get it. Most of the time, therapy feels worth investing in when something needs to be fixed, and it makes sense to focus on the painful issue rather than waste time taking stock of what is still working.
Most psychological theories are in line with this. They focus on pathology, or what’s going wrong with an individual’s mental health. While this does make sense (we therapists are in the business of alleviating human suffering on an individual level, after all) there are other ways of helping people to feel better and live fulfilling lives than just focusing on the symptoms. Positive psychology, for example, is dedicated to the study of human flourishing and well-being. That’s why I love using positive psychology so much in my practice. Even when people are suffering, we can work towards thriving rather than solely focusing on anxiety or psychological pain.
To refocus on thriving rather than surviving, positive psychology places a significant emphasis on the power of prioritizing an individual’s strengths. This mindset shift away from a weak focus has been shown to increase happiness, resilience, and feelings of fulfillment. Positive psychology encourages us to celebrate what makes us exceptional under any circumstances, whether we’re feeling fabulous or need some serious support with therapy for women with Rebecca AE Smith, Ph.D.
Why Focusing on Strengths Isn’t Always Easy
Even when we’re feeling ok the world around us is not interested in helping us to focus on our strengths. The pressure to conform to external expectations — as is the case for all humans, but especially for women and other marginalized folks — often leads us to prioritize addressing our weaknesses rather than celebrating our strengths. And don’t even get me started on how imposter syndrome makes us allergic to enhancing our strengths. Just as you start to feel a little confident, imposter syndrome loves to nudge its way in and stir up self-doubt. Downplaying accomplishments and focusing on weaknesses sometimes just feels safer.
Here’s something powerful, though — overcoming these hesitations and leaning into our strengths involves dismantling the societal expectations that keep us down. (As a woman who is writing this blog post while wearing a holiday “Sleigh the Patriarchy” sweatshirt, you know I’m into this.) And hell, if we like ourselves and tap into why we’re awesome, they might have trouble selling us all the things they hope we’ll buy in a fit of retail therapy. Those are pretty worthy goals, in my opinion.
How to Hone in on Your Strengths
So how do you know what is truly a personal strength? So much of the time we downplay our assets. Not only because we think we should, but also because our strengths often feel so effortless for us they don’t feel like they need much attention. That’s why I recommend taking an assessment like the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. You can find it here; it’s the third test under “Engagement Questionnaires.”
(You’ll have to sign in with an email address because this is an official psychological lab website. Each response contributes to their research, but the questionnaires are free.) This isn’t a quick online quiz. It’s a valid and reliable psychological assessment created to study the values of individuals and, in turn, help those individuals gain insight into themselves. Answer honestly with your gut feeling, and don’t overthink any one question — you can’t get this wrong!
Analyzing Your Strength Results
Your results will include a list of your strengths in order and descriptions of each trait. The list is incredibly diverse (optimism, diligence, curiosity, social intelligence, capacity for love, spirituality, creativity, leadership, and playfulness are just a few of the options), and seeing objective evidence of your awesomeness is kind of an amazing experience.
Take stock of what you’re seeing, and if you’re into journaling, process your reactions. Which strengths felt obvious? Any surprises? Anything you wish were different in the list? What would it look like to take these results at face value, really believe them, and lean into your top strengths? How is your mood impacted when you consider your strengths? Where would you like to lean on your strengths more in your life?
Strategies For Strengths Integration
While it’s pretty obvious that playing to your strengths can enhance your performance in work/relationships /overall well-being, the benefits don’t end there. Focusing on amplifying strengths rather than improving weaknesses allows you to prioritize what’s really important to you.
Integrating your strengths into your daily life might mean allowing more time for them or prioritizing them over areas that are less valuable to you. Your strengths can also become a quick guide for coping. Leaning on strengths will feel good and amplify your values in times of distress. If gratitude is a particular strength, start a gratitude journal to help you focus on the positive aspects of a difficult day. If you find that you’re particularly skilled in appreciation of beauty, know that seeking out beauty or creating a beautiful space may help you when you’re feeling down or anxious. Get creative!
Strengths for Fulfillment and Success
I hope you enjoy this little slice of positive psychology. If you’re interested in this topic take a look at all the questionnaires that accompany this strengths assessment — you can measure your happiness, hopefulness, well-being, grit, gratitude, and more. Prioritizing your strengths is not just a strategy for success. It’s a pathway to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Ready to Discover Your Strengths With The Help of Therapy for Women in New Orleans, LA?
Begin a transformative journey towards empowerment and fulfillment through therapy for women. Discover the power of positive psychology, where we shift the focus from mere survival to thriving by embracing and amplifying your unique strengths. Take the first step towards a more authentic and fulfilling life – sign up for therapy for women and let's embark on this empowering journey together! Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Begin meeting with a skilled therapist for women, Rebecca AE Smith, Ph.D.
Start uncovering your strengths!
Other Services Offered With Rebecca AE Smith, Ph.D.
Are you a millennial struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, life transitions, and more? At Rebecca AE Smith, Ph.D., an online therapy practice in New Orleans, I can help you work through your struggles or challenges to begin coping with your symptoms in healthy ways in Therapy for Women. I provide online services for those all over the state of Louisiana and for those in Virginia. For more about me check out my About Me and Blog!