Ryan M. NiemiecThe Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality

If you've been looking for a user-friendly resource to help you really understand character strengths and how to put them to work in your life, the book for you has finally arrived! The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality is the quintessential introduction and reference guide.There is a section on each of the 24 universally-valued character strengths identified by the VIA Survey that explains what the strength is, why it is valuable, how to spot it in others, and how to make the most positive use of it in your own life.Research has shown that understanding and using our character strengths plays an essential role in maintaining our mental health and having a sense of well-being. Consequently, this book has important information for each of us.This book has even more relevance for those of us who are interested in combating the rising wave of stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation that is becoming so prevalent throughout our society and most especially within our young people. Helping young people identify and use their character strengths is an important step in helping them to become more resilient and confident in the face of life's many challenges. If you are not already using the free, accessible, and evidence-based VIA Survey to help the people within your circle of influence to identify their own signature strengths, this book will make you wonder what you have been waiting for and help you to get started on an amazing and strengthening journey.The authors of this book, Dr. Ryan Niemiec and Dr. Robert McGrath, are two of the most esteemed researchers and practitioners in the fields of character strengths and positive psychology. Therefore you can trust that all of their recommended practices are both evidence-based and effective. Although the book is designed in such a way that it does not need to be read straight through from cover-to-cover, I found that I really wanted to read every page to both deepen my own understanding of my personal strengths as well as to enhance my work of helping created strengths-based cultures in schools and communities. (www.allourstrengths.com)This is book that belongs on the bookshelf of every Community Strengths Champion, so grab your copy and start building strengths today!

This is an accessible book which is wonderfully insightful and easy to read.

I learned so much about myself with this book that I remind myself on a daily basis what my strengths are, so I can apply them everywhere I go and in any situation.

We can improve ourselves by focusing on our weaknesses or by building upon our strengths. This book can help us improve both! I appreciate that the character strengths written about in this book were derived by scientific research and did not simply come from someone's imagination. The original researchers began by examining religions and moral traditions across the globe to determine six basic "umbrella" virtues that they had in common. From those six virtues the 24 character strengths were derived. A terrific way to read this book is to first take a free online test on your character strengths at viacharacter.org (the authors share this). It's interesting to look at your top five and bottom five strengths and to consider next steps that can help you become the best "you." The authors offer practical ideas on next steps! I lost this book for a little while and then found it in my sixteen year old daughter's room! She was reading about the concept of bravery as she was weaving ideas into her college application essay. This is a book that you can read one chapter at a time by your bed as you delve into ideas about courage, love, humility and other wonderful concepts. The authors have made a fine contribution to the field of Positive Psychology and are now making these ideas more accessible to people through this book, kudos!

I love this book. I have seen it from its earliest incarnation to the book it is today. I am so excited to see it hit the virtual bookshelves. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn not just more about their personality but anyone who wants to understand how to target their strengths to achieve goals, build relationships, and increase their sense of well-being.This book is clearly written and makes character strengths so easy to see, understand and build upon.Research has developed the classification of 24 Character strengths, which are those instantly recognizable positive parts of our personality. The great thing is that you can assess them, find out which strengths you have at the top of your profile - and those lower down the list - and then you can make choices about how and whether to show and grow those strengths.Authors, Ryan Niemiec and Bob McGrath have put so much personality into this book and made it easy to read as a result. From the opening introductions of the writers to the Strengths Builder section at the back you can see character strengths in action.Whether you sit down and read this book cover to cover, or take the assessment and dip into the strengths that most interest you, you will learn a great deal about what makes you you!

I love the idea behind this book, but there is so much information that doesn't relate or apply to your strengths. I'd read my section and then leave the book at the store.

Fantastic book to learn about the strengths and an easy read. I would recommend this book to any person wanting to improve their outlook of life or any professional practicing a positive psychology based approach

This book is too basic. This information can be found on the VIA Institute website, and if you have the slightest knowledge of this topic, you'll get nothing from the book. Sadly, it's a waste of money and time. So disappointing.

This book is about such a simple concept but very very powerful. Really glad I have it and more importantly am using it in my coaching practice. They run free webinars for practitioners about the stuff in the book .

I have not read the entire book although I've taken the course the science of well-being with Yale University. So far the book is awesome! This is based on my reading and exploration so far in my intuition

Wurde mir in einem Kurs der Yale Universität empfohlen. Habe neue Einblicke durch das Buch erlangt. Das Buch ist keines, das man von vorne bis hinten durchliest. In diesem Buch ist für jeden was du finden.

You will probably be surprised to know that you have more character strengths than you know! A wondeful book that takes you through a journey to a new, more positive life, based on what will make you shine. It compliments the online VIA test and explains all the aspects, in clear language and easy-to-read content.

Based on the character strengths survey from the VIA institute. This book elaborates on identifying strengths and how to use them, what under use and overuse of each strength looks like. It is easy to read. You can dip in to whichever strength interests you. The emphasis is very much on the positive aspects of the different strengths.I would have preferred a bit more detail but this is aimed at the man in the street . There is another book aimed at clinicians which I imagine would be more in depth.