Self-regulation is one of the four character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Temperance.

Temperance describes strengths that help you manage habits and protect against excess.

What is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is a complex character strength. It has to do with controlling your appetites and emotions and regulating what you do. 

Those high in self-regulation have a good level of confidence in their belief that they can be effective in what they pursue and are likely to achieve their goals. They are admired for their ability to control their reactions to disappointment and insecurities. 

Self-regulation helps keep a sense of balance, order, and progress in life. 

Self-regulation can be viewed as a resource that can be depleted and fatigued. A useful metaphor can be that self-regulation acts like a muscle, which can be exhausted through over-exertion or strengthened through regular practice.

Why is self-regulation of value?

• People skilled at self-regulation are in charge of their emotions rather than the other way round.
• Self-regulation is linked with better personal adjustment such as having a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-esteem in relationships.
• Self-regulation helps in the prevention and management of addictions.

A couple of questions to consider

• How does self-regulation play a role in your greatest successes in life?
• What areas of your life would be improved if you applied greater self-regulation?

Some things that you can do to practise self-regulation

• Try a new approach to sticking with an exercise or walking routine and involve one of your close relationships in the discipline.
• Make a to do list for a community-oriented event, come up with an action plan and begin to carry it out. 
• Take notice of your posture throughout the day. When you notice yourself slouching or sitting uncomfortably or displaying poor posture, balance yourself by straightening up.

For more information on the strength of self-regulation, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character…/self-regulation

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

Creativity is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Wisdom.

Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. 

What is creativity?

Creativity is thinking of new ways to do things. 

There are two essential components to creativity – originality and adaptiveness. A creative individual generates ideas or behaviours that are novel or unusual and these make a positive contribution to the individual’s life or the lives of others in a group.

It can be big – like the great artists and scientists and poets and film makers.

It can also be small – like just deciding to try something different – a tweak on a recipe or a different route for your walk or your drive home or learning something new.

Why is creativity of value?

• Creativity helps in promoting divergent thinking, thinking about many ways to solve a problem.
• Creativity helps you to resolve practical problems, especially when you begin thinking in new ways about the causes and consequences of everyday life events.
• Creativity helps to inspire and motivate followers and can help you to become a better leader.

A couple of questions to consider

• What does creativity mean to you and how does that play out in your life?
• How do you use creativity to help solve your own life problems or those of your family, friends and colleagues?

Some things that you can do to practise creativity

• Explore a creative solution to a life difficulty or challenge that’s expressed by a family member or friend.
• Prioritise creativity at work. Set aside a few minutes each day for “creativity time” where you can reflect, think and learn.
• Share your thoughts on this post in the comments section describing how you use creativity or how you have observed the practice of creativity in others.

For more information on the strength of Creativity, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/creativity

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

Hope is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Transcendence. 

Transcendence describes strengths that help you connect to the larger universe and provide meaning.

What is hope?

The character strength of hope has to do with positive expectations about the future. It involves optimistic thinking and focusing on good things to come. 

Hope is more than a feel-good emotion. It is an action-oriented strength involving agency, the motivation and confidence that goals can be reached, and also that many effective pathways can be devised in order to get to that desired future. 

Optimism is closely linked with having a particular explanatory style (how we explain the causes of bad events). People using an optimistic explanatory style interpret events as external, unstable and specific. Those using a pessimistic explanatory style interpret events as internal, stable and global.

Why is hope of value?

• Hopeful people persevere, especially when challenged. They are more resilient.
• Hope and optimism correlate with active problem solving. Hope is associated with conscientiousness, diligence and the ability to delay gratification. 
• Hope is one of the two character strengths most associated with life satisfaction and wellbeing.

A couple of questions to consider

• What role does hope play during challenging times in your life and how do you express that hope?
• How do you balance what is realistic and what is unrealistic in terms of your expression of hope and optimism?

Some things that you can do to practise hope

• Document three accomplishments with your relationship partner and consider how each can inspire your relationship in the future.
• Use your strength of hope to work on tasks that will benefit you, your co-workers or your organisation in the longer term. Consider how your work today will contribute to the future.
• Consider a struggle you are having. Write down two optimistic thoughts that bring comfort. Add two actions you can take to move small steps forward. 

For more information on the strength of hope, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/hope

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)