Identify Strengths & Values

Decisions are Easier when Your Values are Clear

The idea that each person has strengths and is capable of change is a large part of resilience. Resilient people don’t have extraordinary qualities that make them invincible. Instead, their resilience comes from ordinary assets that they have accumulated and can rely on in time of need.

Whether you realize it or not, you have strengths that you can draw upon to persevere. In the hard times, you can benefit from identifying and building upon what is already strong about yourself, your personality and your abilities.

Another aspect resilient people rely on are their values. Values are those things that are really important to each of us. They are deeply held beliefs about what is right and wrong, good and bad, desirable and undesirable, worthwhile and not. This is how values guide choices in life.

When your values are clear in your mind, making healthy choices in times of adversity becomes easier. When you don’t know your values or make choices that are inconsistent with your values, it can cause distress and hurt your interactions with others.

Ask Yourself:

  • What is good about me?
  • What personal strengths and internal resources can I call upon to help me right now?
  • What strategies have I successfully used in the past that I can use to help me now?
  • What do I value most?
  • Are my choices in line with my values?

 

Resources

Counseling and Wellness Services -  Need a little help in the search for yourself? Talk with one of our mental health practitioners about career and personal growth and development.

Engage Winona - Part of identifying strengths and values involves engaging with your community for social and cultural supports. 
Thinking Talents - Check out this Thinking Talents quiz to identify some of your strengths.

Confidence Resume Worksheet (PDF) - When adversity happens or self-doubt creeps in this Confidence Resume worksheet will remind you of your strength, abilities and all the reasons you should believe in yourself.

Values Activity Worksheet (PDF) - Use this worksheet to hone in on your core values and stick to those values whenever you make decisions.

Strengths of Character Worksheet (PDF) - Identify and develop your strengths of character to be more productive, happy and better able to overcome adversity.