| If you want to increase your happiness, one way | | | | if you find your best work in a team. |
| is through nurturing your character strengths. | | | | Tip: Develop your sense of citizenship by |
| Positive psychology has identified 24 strengths | | | | volunteering your time. You can help out your |
| which can be divided into 6 distinct virtues. All of | | | | neighbour or an organisation that is important to |
| these strengths can be developed. A great deal | | | | you. Volunteer work is one of the quickest routes |
| of research has gone into looking into these | | | | to happiness. |
| strengths and how they can benefit happiness | | | | Fairness and equity |
| and wellbeing. Carrying out tasks and activities | | | | People with a strong sense of fairness like to give |
| that provide you with opportunities to exercise | | | | everyone a chance. Everyone must be treated |
| your strengths are sure to make you feel good | | | | fairly and injustice frustrates and horrifies. Such |
| and give you more flow experiences. Consciously | | | | people set aside their personal prejudices and will |
| using these strengths will move you away from | | | | see the good in others. This may be your |
| engaging in passive activities so frequently (eg | | | | strength if you are the sort of person that |
| watching television). | | | | makes sure each person has an equal share of |
| In this article I will talk about the strengths which | | | | the cake. You offer no favouritism and such |
| make up the virtue 'justice': citizenship, fairness | | | | favouritism provokes you. |
| and leadership. Seligman suggests that for | | | | Tip: Have the courage to stand up to someone |
| happiness we use those strengths which are our | | | | you know who openly displays prejudicial opinions |
| signature strengths. To discover your signature | | | | about particular groups in society. To not speak |
| strengths, I suggest you visit the Authentic | | | | up will be to concur with what they are saying. |
| Happiness website and take the VIA survey. | | | | Leadership |
| There is a feel good factor in working with our | | | | Leadership is about being able to organise a group |
| strengths. However you may have something | | | | and work to see things through to completion. |
| you want to nurture. As such I offer a tip to | | | | Essential to being a good leader is having excellent |
| enhance each strength. | | | | interpersonal skills. A good leader works to make |
| Citizenship | | | | sure everyone's role within the group is valued. |
| People who have citizenship as a strength are | | | | Goals are achieved without coercion or |
| loyal and have a great sense of duty. They make | | | | manipulation. |
| good team members and work to ensure the | | | | Tip: Practise your leadership skills within your |
| best outcome for the group. Such people have a | | | | family. Organise an event from start to finish. It |
| sense of commitment to any group they are part | | | | could be an anniversary celebration, birthday |
| of, whether it is their country, community, | | | | party, or a day out. Ask for help if needed but |
| workplace, family or sports team. A good team | | | | remember you are the one coordinating the |
| player will make personal sacrifices for the good | | | | event. |
| of the group. This may be one of your strengths | | | | |