{"id":206978,"date":"2020-09-11T00:37:20","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T00:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/strengthbasedliving.com\/?p=206978"},"modified":"2021-05-05T16:43:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T16:43:25","slug":"strengths-spotting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strengthbasedliving.com\/strengthbasedliving.com\/putting-strengths-into-action\/strengths-spotting\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengths-Spotting"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve been around awhile, like I have, you\u2019ll probably remember Bobby McFerrin\u2019s 1988 award-winning hit song, \u201cDon\u2019t Worry, Be Happy<\/a>.\u201d It\u2019s also known among younger generations. Bobby McFerrin is famous for his a cappella songs. He gave a popular TED talk at the World Science Festival in 2009 in which he turned the whole audience into his musical accompaniment using just their voices.<\/p>\n

The TED talk offers a clear example of someone in \u201cthe strengths zone\u201d doing what he does best and being his most authentic. I sometimes use it in presentations to introduce strengths-spotting. Strengths-spotting is a powerful practice that helps us focus on the good and see ourselves and others through a lens of what\u2019s strong, rather than blame or what\u2019s wrong.<\/p>\n

One of the best gifts you can give throughout the day is strengths-spotting. It\u2019s easy and intuitive to do. Find out why and how below, then practice strengths-spotting in your own work or life.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Strengths-spotting is a gift we all deserve to receive more often, especially when confronted with times of high anxiety. This practice is about naming and valuing character strengths in each other, elevating who we are and what we do best. When someone else notices and values you for these qualities, you get the added bonus of feeling seen and understood for who you are.\u00a0It\u2019s like looking through a magnifying glass, where the image on the other side suddenly becomes\u00a0clear and true to its nature.<\/p>\n

Participants consistently highlight strengths-spotting as a practice that changed their lives the most. They cited\u00a0improvements in difficult relationships, boosting teamwork, and elevating confidence.<\/p>\n

You can practice strengths-spotting each day, no matter the circumstances. You can apply this practice in a family, work, or social setting. You can also practice it with acquaintances and people you just met, like the cashier at the grocery store, or your favorite movie or book characters. You can even practice it with that person that constantly rubs you the wrong way.<\/p>\n

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To easily learn and practice strengths-spotting, Dr. Ryan Niemiec, education director at the VIA Institute on Character, suggests using the SEA approach (spot, explain, appreciate).<\/p>\n