My Character Strengths

Character is imperative in everyone’s life, and people should always focus on
improving or developing at least one character trait each month (Ciampa & Wolfe, 2021).
Character traits can ruin one’s happiness, relationships, and career. Therefore, it is essential to
have balanced character traits (Ciampa & Wolfe, 2021). This paper discusses my five highest
strengths, how these strengths are expressed in my daily life, the specific strengths I do not
exercise regularly, and changes I could make to ensure my highest strengths are used
consistently.

My Five Highest Strengths

My highest strengths are patience, enthusiasm, discipline, trustworthiness, and
creativity. I can attain my goals, overcome obstacles, and face life challenges boldly by
exercising patience. Enthusiasm enables me to portray a keen interest in activities and a
readiness to be involved, especially in group activities (Bakker et al., 2019). Additionally,
discipline allows me to choose and persevere with behaviors, actions, and thoughts that result
in success and improvement. Discipline also gives me inner strength and power to overcome
laziness and procrastination. My other strength, trustworthiness, makes people perceive me as
a reliable person and a good influence (Horrow & Burton, 2020). As a trustworthy person, I
always speak the truth, remain accountable for my actions, appreciate others, and bring out
the best in them. Also, creativity provides me with divergent thinking, making it easy to
devise diverse ways of solving problems (Bakker et al., 2019).
Expression of These Strengths in My Daily Life

I express patience daily by persevering and making prudent decisions that often result
in greater success. Through patience, I can enjoy life and accept setbacks much more. I
express enthusiasm by showing a keen interest in activities and a willingness to get involved
in team activities. As an enthusiastic person, I have a strong urge to do something, and until

3

my task or dream is fulfilled, I never give up (Bakker et al., 2019). I express discipline by
following rules and showing respect to others. By being self-restricted, I can function
rigorously and faithfully. Additionally, how I interact and work with others defines their trust
in me. As an effective team leader, I always try to improve how I communicate my ideas;
doing so increases my productivity and creativity (Horrow & Burton, 2020). My team
members are more comfortable with transformation and are always willing to accept new
visions. I exhibit creativity by showing cognitive capabilities. This has enabled me to solve
problems and offer unique insights (Bakker et al., 2019). I have molded strong, collaborative,
independent, and unique teams through creativity.

Strengths That I Do Not Exercise Regularly

I exercise all of my five strengths regularly. However, I have other character traits
which I do not practice regularly. These strengths are bravery and forgiveness. Even though I
accept other people’s shortcomings, sometimes I find it difficult to forgive those who have
wronged me. However, I believe in giving others second chances. As a leader, I always
express my bravery and strength by speaking up for what is right, even when faced with
opposition. However, sometimes I shrink from pain, threats, or challenges, which usually
affects my thinking ability.

Changes I Could Make

If my highest strengths – patience, creativity, enthusiasm, discipline, and
trustworthiness – are not used regularly in school or work life, I could leverage my leadership
power to make changes to ensure such character traits are exemplified. For example, I would
start clubs that teach people about these strengths and how they help people in their daily
lives. Secondly, I could advocate for rules that encourage people to develop these strengths;
this can empower them to live positively.

4

References

Bakker, A. B., Hetland, J., Olsen, O. K., & Espevik, R. (2019). Daily strengths use and
employee well‐being: The moderating role of personality. Journal of Occupational
and Organizational Psychology, 92(1), 144-168. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12243
Ciampa, K., & Wolfe, Z. M. (2021). Integrating character education into an elementary
common core standards-aligned curriculum: A pilot study. Curriculum
Perspectives, 41(1), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41297-020-00116-2
Horrow R. B. & Burton R. (2020). The sports business handbook: Insights from 100 leaders
who shaped 50 years of the industry. Human Kinetics.
http://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/product/openreader?id=none&isbn=978149258743
9.