Every 6-12 months I like to take the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. You can take this test (and many others) on the University of Pennsylvania’s Authentic Happiness site [registration required – free] and the great thing is that the site keeps track of all of your previous test results. The test ranks 24 different character strengths and the idea is that the top 5 (your signature strengths) are the ones to pay attention to and find ways to use more often.
I’ve taken the test a total of 7 times between August 2007 and today (January 2012). The signature strengths that topped today’s test are as follows:
- Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
(signature strength in 7/7 tests taken)
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible. - Love of learning
(signature strength in 7/7 tests taken)
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn. - Capacity to love and be loved
(signature strength in 2/7 tests taken)
You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you. - Curiosity and interest in the world
(signature strength in 5/7 tests taken)
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery. - Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness (signature strength in 6/7 tests taken)
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.
Overall, I think my test results are pretty consistent – with the exception of the ‘capacity to love and be loved’ strength. This strength has only appeared as one of my signature strengths in the last two tests taken (it was ranked 8, 7, 15, 14, 7 in the previous tests) which I think reflects a growing comfortableness with myself and deepening of a number of important relationships (Jason and I got married last year too!).
I didn’t deliberately set out to regularly take the test or monitor my test results over a number of years but I’m glad I have (and grateful that the Authentic Happiness site keeps all the previous test results – I would have surely lost track of them otherwise). Looking back, the results seem to provide both confirmation of the key elements of my character/personality and evidence of how I’ve grown and changed over time.
