How to Live with a Disappointing Strength Profile - and Maybe Even Enjoy the Ride (IDG)

In one of the first steps of the IDG path, the link to the VIA Character Strength Test pops up - and boy, we all love taking a good test, don't we? This one, though, I remember distinctly, because it was in a special situation I encountered this the first time: During the peak of COVID, in the middle of masks and homeschooling and half-information. At the time, I studied Laurie Santos 'Science of Happiness' online course, and this very test was part of the coursework, upon which daily assignments were based. I also remembered this test for a very different reason: In general, when we take one of these tests, we have a fairly accurate conception of what the results will be. We are aware of how we tick, and what gets us going, and what excites us and what doesn't, and so on. So without too much checking or reading up on the key strength as such, in order to stay as neutral as possible and not skew results, I filled in the questions. And I got the result. And I was shocked. My first reaction was (and I am not exaggerating): The algorithm is broken. My top strength came out as 'Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence'.

Immediately, I associated this with vanity and conceit and some superficial, shallow personality... So, why me? Why couldn't I have 'a cooler, more impressive top strength? I read the text, it related how this can indeed be perceived as a strength. I read it two times, three times. So, yes, it is about perceiving, taking in the world, seeing things or acts - kindness, moral goodness, skill. All very nice, but still... it stung a bit.

And maybe, just maybe, because of that, I never completely forgot about it. It lived in a tiny bubble in my head, and from time to time it would float up, like a soap bubble out of nowhere. For example, when I learned about MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) - there is a link. When I would visit an art exhibition and fall in love with a painting - it is this. Or when we would pick up some fallen blooms from a tree - again, here it is.

So, yes, the test might have been pointing me onto something I did not see at all, which actually makes it all the more valuable. And, yes, I did it again after all this years and guess what - with the exact same result.

Thanks for bearing with me (this turned into a long-ish text). Here are my questions for you:

- Have you taken this particular test?

- Were you surprised by the results or did it confirm your understanding of yourself?