How about some love from Martin Seligman's great book looking at the science of happiness: "Authentic Happiness"?!? In this PhilosophersNotes TV episode we'll explore the origins and Positive Psych and how to get your signature strengths on! 
(P.S. Apologies if you hear an echo on the sound! I'm working on that. In the meantime, I find that if I turn the volume down just a bit it's better!
My Top 5 of 12
1) Love of Learning (big surprise!! LOL)
2) Perspective/Wisdom
3) Bravery/Valor
4) Integrity/Authenticity
5) Social Intelligence
Once again a job well done, Thank you
awesome, jen!!!
how're you rockin' em in your day to day life?!?
fun!
1. Gratitude 2. Spirituality 3. Appreciation of beauty 4. Curiosity 5. Hope
love it, jessica!
gratitude is one of the most critical to happiness. good one for #1 fer sure!
I had trouble requesting my password but from what I remember my strengths are
Spirituality
Playfulness
Kindness
Integrity
& Justice
Spirituality has been kind of a struggle, as it is for many post-modern "spiritual but not religious" people, yet, finds its way into my awareness consistently. Meditation always leads not just to relaxation and openness but to a sense of "yes, there is a God, and yes, God is good." One day I will have to make sense of this and apply it in a consistent way to my life philosophy.
It is good to know ones strengths, and even if those seem foreign at the moment to embrace them and begin a practice of conscious cultivation. My meditation practice is not full on, but when I do meditate it brings me tremendous joy. My humor is always available but could perhaps be tempered by a little more tact. Integrity and Justice seem to go hand in hand and this may be an issue of speaking the truth, no matter how difficult or how many people it might offend.
I'm having a little bit of trouble making sense of these strengths at the moment, but thank for you this episode and giving me something to think about. I will have to read Seligman's Authentic Happiness to try and give this more context and figure out the best ways to apply these strengths in a consistent manner, for the sake of something greater than myself.
love it, john!
thx for sharing and you might dig this: http://www.philosophersnotes.com/titles/authentic...
1-Love of learning 2-Perspective 3-Love 4-Kindness 5-Appreciation of Beauty
nice, donna!!!
Well, I've took the "Authentic Happiness Inventory" and I scored around the middle of the scale. And I'm "happy" with that. I like just being average.
I'm setting up IntenseDebate account and replying to my own comment so that I can subscribe to replies.
hehe. nice!
I took the Brief Strengths Test. Happy to take the longer one tomorrow. =)
1) Creativity
2) Curiosity
3) Love of Learning
4) Perspective (Wisdom)
5) Integrity
That fits. I've gone through a large chunk of my life before finding my calling. I recall ralphing, as well, when in Sales. It is revealing how what you are reacts against what you do if the two are diametrically opposite.
love it, mark!!!
ralphing?!? wazthat?!
Ralphing? The technicolor yawn...I had to pull off the road and toss breakfast. I hated sales that much! I used to start gagging when I put on a tie. Often I would have to wait 'til I got to the office to finish the tie. Now...I have a great collection of ties. Sitting there. alone. Unwanted. =)
heheheh. got it! nice.
here's to following our bliss and avoiding our ralphs!
oh man, I know what you mean!
Brian...I totally dig your perspective on this great read. I especially like the part where you point out the "tiers" such as a Job, a Career, and a Calling. I've certainly found my calling in the last 12 months but continually find it disappointing that many people are stuck in the Job "tier".
Seriously, your no matter what book you review...your message really resonates with me. Keep up the GREAT work!
thx, todd! thrilled you're diggin' it and excited to share more!
and congrats on finding the calling and here's to inspiring and empowering more peeps to move from job to career to calling!
1. Creativity (Originality, Ingenuity)
2. Love of Learning
3. Perspective (Wisdom)
4. Integrity (Authenticity & Honesty)
5. Fairness
good stuff Brian. I took Authentic Happiness Inventory January 17th 2008, so it was nice to go back with renewed interest based on your recent 3 videos on Positive Psychology. Man did I get stuck in the mire of 'studying' my problems just like psychology has done for 100 years. I agree it is time to study positive psychology and what gets me / you / us to +3, +9 and all zee way up to +99! cheers bro!
right on, brian!!!
here's to 99+!
I posted my top 24 on my blog: http://www.robin-ann.com/2009/12/signature-charac... - thank you Brian for the information to kick-start a happier, more meaningful life
.. I'll be talking with you again soon!
love it, robin ann!
This is great Brian. I loved learning about Seligman when I was getting my MA in Psychology. It was the light in my program, always felt more drawn to Positive Psychology than to Psychopathology. Fun also to re-take some of his tests. My top 5 this time around came up as
Open Mindedness
Wisdom
Perseverance
Authenticity
Love
Love your PhilosophersNotes TV - brilliant Idea.
Daniela
hey daniela:
love your strengths and thx for your kind words!
go positive psych!
-bri
Hello Brian,
I love this work, was introduced to it in 2007, I forgot that I had done it and went scrounging around my notes till I found my results. These are them...
Bravery and Valour
Curiosity and interest in the world
Honesty, authenticity and genuineness
Creativity, ingenuity and originality,
Forgiveness and mercy.
Tis really good to remember this, considering the moment in my life I am facing!
Thanks again for being you, and sharing that!
Katherine Cunningham.
hey katherine:
awesome!!
thx for sharing and thrilled you dug it!
-bri
Where is your coconut juice coming from? Lord forbid not from a box!
Strengths:
Vitality
Love
Curiosity
Creativity
social intelligence
hehehe. ONE coconut water, yo! I met the ceo at the conscious capitalism event i went to in october and love it. not quite that day picked but i have to say: sipping on a coconut water while using the superfast wireless internet on the outside area at Whole Foods the day after we got back from bali was a magical feeling.
love your strengths and thx for sharing!!
I am making effort to stay happiest forever. Itz kinda great challenge. One thing I noticed lately is that if I make others happy, then as a return of karma I end up experiencing great deal of happiness. However, to make others happy, I have to be happy myself. As for me, Attitude and Awareness are the key words for happiness.
amen!
I'll do the test later. but I feel compelled to comment how the idea of using signature strengths resonates with me. Giving expression to the best in me (us) is a value to be celebrated!
awesome, jack! thx for sharing and i think you'll really dig it!
and amen to this: "Giving expression to the best in me (us) is a value to be celebrated! "
My top 5 strengths are:
1. Love of learning
2. Bravery & valor
3. Integrity, Authenticity & Honesty
4. Kindness, Generosity & Compassion
5. Gratitude
The ways i can instill them more often in my day to day life...
1. My 3 big areas of concentration in 2010 is Holosync, Music, Sneha (our non profit). Whatever i do in 2010, i'll ask myself if my actions add to my focus areas. I can easily be engulfed in the learning process satisfying my # 1 strength on a regular basis with these areas of concentration. Not to mention PN is a big one too!
2. I can feed strength #s 2 & 3 Bravery & Integrity by paying close attention to my authentic self & my body & honoring the 'yes's & 'no's consciously. When i'm more honest & conscious with myself, i can operate with the highest level of integrity in the world.
3. I can practice kindness and be of service through sharing worthy materials on the social network or via E-mail.
4. I've already started the gratitudelog, that will surely make me more conscious about my blessings.
Thank you Brian! You surely are a huge inspiration!
wow. that's awesome, hema! thx for sharing and thx for your kind words!
my top 5 strengths are :
love of learning
humor/playfulness
gratitude
modesty
appreciation of beauty and excellence
I think the number one strength I have to work on is my modesty. I think I am modest to a fault!... I dont give myself any credit for anything...I have a hugely hard time accepting any good or that I am any good. THAT is all going to change in 2010! I am not sure how to go about that right now as it literally feels uncomfortable to think of changing it.. but I am going to meditate on this and hopefully an answer will come!
love it! here's embracing how much you rock!
and here's a cool idea: from the dark side of the light chasers: “If you admire greatness in another human being, it is your own greatness you are seeing.”
1) Forgiveness and Mercy
2) Creativity
3) Curiosity
4) Leadership
5) Perspective
It's look like my ambition to become a counsellor is a good fit.
right on!!!
I did the brief test... didn't quite have time for 240 - yet, but will get to that
Been struggling with finding a "career", because for years I just do my "job" and it feels like my life is passing me by while I'm sitting at my desk doing a "job" that I feel I'm not meant to be doing.
Looking at my "strengths", it looks like I'm supposed to step away from my computer and find a "career" that has something to do with people?
Open-mindedness
Perspective
Love
Kindness
Social Intelligence
awesome!
and go for a calling!
might like to check out the little exercise I have in the Note: http://www.philosophersnotes.com/titles/authentic...
i will do just that
and yeah rather go for a calling than just a career. thanks!
My top five are...
1 Creativity [originality, ingenuity]
2 Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]
3 Open-mindedness [judgment, critical thinking]
4 Love of Learning
5 Perspective [wisdom]
dig it!
Your Top Strength
Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.
Your Second Strength
Forgiveness and mercy
You forgive those who have done you wrong. You always give people a second chance. Your guiding principle is mercy and not revenge.
Your Third Strength
Curiosity and interest in the world
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.
Your Fourth Strength
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
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.
Your Fifth Strength
Capacity to love and be loved
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 yo
love it. thx for sharing!
1. Love of learning
2. Curiosity
3. Gratitude
4. Creativity
5. Forgiveness
awesome. thx for sharing, steve!
Curiosity
Creativity
Judgement & Critical Thinking
Leadership
Love of Learning
Zest & Enthusiasm
me likes, alex!
Thank you, Brian. I have been going through a difficult period, with challenges that exceed everything else before in my life. Your efforts here have pointed me in one direction that seems like a worthwhile pursuit; grounded enough to be believable for an east coast cynic like me, yet promising enough to recall what it is I'm here for, to begin with. Thanks again.. to you and to the people who inspired you to share this. And it's funny that I learned about it here, because UPenn and the Positive Psychology Center is right here In Philadelphia!
awesome, michael.
and beautifully said. you really captured my intention and I'm thrilled you're diggin it.
let's rock, bro!
I know you have a lot to cover... and I would really appreciate it if you would slow down. Better one great idea spoken with calmness then a whole bunch of stuff spoken in a rushed manner....just one guys opinion... hopefully you will find it useful.
hey curtis: thx for the great feedback. I'm with ya! i'm feeling into whether I want to make them longer (20-30 minutes) or just do 1 idea per... hmmm...
appreciate you taking the time to share!
1. Love of Learning
2. Creativity
3. Curiosity
4. Integrity
5. Love
I'm seeing a pattern of similarities with the postings.
indeed!
1. prayer
2. Endurance
3. vision
4.honesty
5. focus
thanx brain for this
my pleasure and thx for sharing!
integrity, love, humor, creativity and curiosity
nice!
Thanks for shedding light on the opportunity to do the 6 core strengths test Brian.
how do they connect? how are they different? what did i want it to be and why? and accept who i am per the test or per my perception? hmmmmmmm.
It was interesting to see what I thought would be my core strengths and what the test indicated
I thought my 6 were: optimism, passion/joy, big heart/care for others, creativity, spiritual depth, communication
The test indicated: curiosity, social intelligence, humility, appreciation of beauty/excellence, gratitude, integrity (leadership and citizenship also showed up in the top portion but in mid-90's). Now the quest is to ponder the two lists... (the curious part of me
love it, piper lauri!
Nice stuff Brian!
thx, bruce!
My DNA: Learn, create, share, enlighten, thank God.
In VIA language:
Love of Learning
Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
Kindless and generosity
Perspective (wisdom)
Spirituality, sense of purpose, faith
Self awareness in values is amazingly empowering stuff!!
awesome!
Great stuff Brian, loved the exercise vs zoloft comments, this rings very true to me in what could have been a disastrous time with much loss, I simply committed to commuting by bike and pedaled out of a deep depression. And zoloft wont make You lose weight!!!
hehehe. so true! go exercise!!
Man, this is the kind of stuff I love to tell all my friends about. Thanks Brian!
Would love to connect with readers here too. Do you plan to create a community?
awesome, brice!!!
we're really excited to get the community going with these discussions as I've never had them up before... then we'll see how it evolves! exciting. and thx for being a part of the site!!!
Hey Brice,
I just watched this video and also took the Strengths Test!
how awesome! I find this video really helpful. Thank you for telling me about this!
Sorry, apparently my laptop is more excited than I am about Philosophers Notes
hehehehe. no worries! I'll clean it up a little and thx for the big smile!!!!
big hugs!
Persistence; Humility/Modesty; Gratitude; Humour; Spirituality.
Brian you rock! I'm one of the lucky recipients of a Philosophers Notes scholarship. Thank you!
I plan on making the most of this awesome opportunity. I also pledge to pay for someone else's scholarship within a year!
I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!
Love and happiness
you rock, angela!!
I took this test on authentichappiness.com back in September. Your note was great in that it inspired me to look back at my top 5 strengths and put some more thought into them and how I can use them. My top 5 strengths are:
Spirituality, sense of purpose, faith
Gratitude
Judgment, critical thinking and open-mindedness
Modesty and humility
Citizenship, teamwork and loyalty
Have a great day!
One of your grateful scholarship recipients
love it, laurie!!!!
thx for sharing and have a great day as well!
Great STuff. Here are my top strengths:
1) Curiosity
2) Open Mindedness
3) Love of Learning
4) Bravery/Valor
5) INtegrity/Authenticity/Valor
Here is how I'll apply this in 2010: Continue to meet my work and life with absolute integrity and bravery and to allow the openness and curiosity of Life to fill my work, life, and every relations. To allow the "Love of Learning" to show up as continual growth and constant evolution and to be open minded about how the Universe wants to use me, my business, my hands, my eyes, my ears, and my mouth to serve humanity.
I intend to be the answers to the prayers of humanity and to bring these wonderful gifts into action each moment.
Continual growth, expansion, and new heights of service joy, openness, accomplishment, love, and bliss.
awesome, matt!!
thx for sharing and here's to rockin' it!
+ a quick idea: one thing that I found really helpful when I first did this test x years ago was to create this caling description and then write my strengths on a whiteboard where I saw them every day, plus journal all 5 really quickly nearly every day to consistently remind myself of what they were and how I was committed to rockin' them!
I stumbled upon your site completely by accident and am so happy I did. I have been coming here everyday for the past week and I love Episode number 3 the best. I went to the Authentic Happiness website and took a couple of the surveys. I believe that they are going to be very helpful to me in becoming a better person from within as well as help me to reach some of my goals of understanding who I am and what I am "here for".
I wanted to share with you my character strengths:
1. Forgiveness and mercy
2. Capacity to love and be loved
3. Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
4. Curiosity and interest in the world
5. Hope, Optimism, and future-mindedness
love it, mia!!!
thx for sharing your strengths and so excited your diggin' PN!!!
1. Curiosity, 2. Love of Learning, 3. Perspective, 4. Integrity, 5. Vitality.
nice, sam!!!
The Happiness Formula
Happiness = Pleasure + Engagement + Meaning
The most useful big idea from the book for me was that all three are vital to happiness.
Pleasure is about playing and feeling good in the moment. It’s about indulging the senses and having fun. This is the one I tend to underrate.
Engagement is about using those core strengths. I think I'm pretty good at getting involved, developing potential, and striving towards excellence.
Meaning is, as others have commented, the really tough one. Fortunately, even a little loving and caring and honoring spiritual beliefs, personal expression, excelling, and feeling I'm making a unique personal contribution goes a long way.
1) Appreciation of beauty and excellence
2) Curiosity and interest in the world
3) Fairness, equity, and justice
4) Gratitude
5) Industry, diligence and perseverance
I'm a student at Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where I first learned about the Authentic Happiness website and tests. I took the test March 3. and came up with these results. A classmate pointed your website out to me, and you reminded me to check the AH site again, and my Character Strengths. thank you!
I'm at point of transition in my life. I've primarily been a fine arts painter for the last 4 years of my life, but i'm now studying my true passion (what I've treated as just a hobby for the last 18 years) : nutrition from a holistic pov, Iyengar yoga (becoming a certified instructor), and massage therapy (cranio-sacral, ayurvedic, shiatsu...) I'm also in my second year in another new country (France) learning a new language and culture. So, I guess I've got my top 5 covered.... although I'm not sure about #3.
I often don't feel confident that I am incorporating my top 5 into my daily life... I mean, my work life. I'd like to keep painting in my life. I hope I can incorporate painting and art with my work in wellness: yoga, massage and health coaching.
fantastic. thx for sharing, michelle! my Goddess is finishing up her studies at Integrative Nutrition as well!
sending lots of love and mojo to you in your exciting transition!
Been listening to your notes for awhile now and every time I listened to the Note on Authentic Happiness I would flake out on going to the site and taking the tests. Watching this video kicked me into action to take the strengths test.
Creativity
Integrity
Love
Kindness
Social Intelligence
Citizenship
Fairness
Gratitude
and Humor
The funny thing after the test I went straight to my weaknesses moaning how can I improve when I finally realized thats the point! Focus on your strengths!!!! Thanks for all the wisdom Brian!!!!
1 SPIRITUALITY
2 GRATITUDE
3 CREATIVITY
4 FAIRNESS
5 LEADERSHIP
.... my purpose in life is to work for NGOs or similar non- profit charity organizations--and make a difference in this world... I am glad my top five strength are these; I believe I have everything needed for the beginning of accomplishing my mission.
Thanks for the video Brian, your website is awesome!