Written by: Trudy Bateman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
For many of us, the start of October means colder days and darker nights (unless you’re blessed with sunnier climbs of course). Often, these gloomier times can make us feel less energised or less interested in our work and even some aspects of our social life. So, how can embracing our unique blend of strengths help us to feel happier and more energised during this period?
We benefit from strengths side effects
Strengths research highlights that when we use our strengths, our happiness and well-being improve. That’s because when we’re using our strengths, we’re doing activities that we do well and enjoy, so we not only feel happier but get to reap the rewards of looking at a job well done and the recognition we receive.
Think about a time when you were enjoying using a strength and you might just find a smile on your face.
We can use strengths in new and novel ways
When we use our strengths in new and different ways, it boosts our wellbeing. Consider how you can use the strengths you use less of the time, but that you are good at and enjoy, otherwise known as your Unrealised Strengths.
You have the potential in these strengths, but it is often the opportunity that is missing. You can start by planning out what you need to achieve over the coming week and select one of your Unrealised Strengths to help you achieve it.
Consider your other strengths and be really creative in coming up with ways to apply that Unrealised Strength in a new way from how you’ve used it before.
We use our Learned Behaviours only when we need to
Learned Behaviours are things we can do, but that we do not enjoy or may find draining.
Avoid using too many Learned Behaviours in your everyday activities and try to bring in more of your strengths to achieve tasks. If Action is a Learned Behaviour, but Organiser is a Realised Strength, try using your strength to plan how you are going to achieve something. That way, you’re doing something you’re good at and love to do to get the task at hand done.
If you do need to use a Learned Behaviour, be sure to use a strength straight after so that you can get the energy boost you will need.
We take better ownership of our time
One of the biggest factors that determine your happiness is the intentional activities you carry out. In essence, if you use your time to do things that you enjoy, it will make you happier.
To successfully improve your happiness, it requires self-awareness of the activities you do and self-regulation to do more of the things that bring you happiness.
You can take a strengths-based approach to improve your happiness by:
Writing down 7 activities that make you happy and you can do in the coming week
Choosing one Realised or Unrealised Strength for each activity
Carrying out a different happiness activity each day using your chosen strength
Record your happiness level before and after each activity and reflect on the difference between the two.
If you’d like to understand more about your Realised and Unrealised strengths, as well as your Learned Behaviours and Weaknesses try taking an Introductory or Expert Profile to find out how to reach your potential and feel happier with your strengths.
Trudy Bateman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Trudy Bateman is an expert in strengths and their applications. As Director of Strengths Profile, Trudy works with coaches, organizations, and universities to help them understand the strengths of their people, so they can develop them – ensuring not just a successful career, but one they love. Having led the team responsible for the implementation of successful product strategy and delivery of strengths-based assessments for over 13 years, Trudy has delivered thousands of strengths solutions through coaching, facilitating, and consulting, including the accreditation of over 3,000 Strengths Profile practitioners. She is a key speaker, author of The Strengths Profile Book, and resident expert in strengths.
