February 26, 2025 • 18 mins
This episode is a mini workshop and includes a Worksheet so you can follow along.
Discover how your character strengths shape your breast cancer journey and enhance your resilience. Through self-reflection and practical activities, we explore tools that can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and joy.
• Discusses the importance of character strengths in personal growth
• Introduces the VIA strengths survey for personalized insights
• Explores “strength spotting” as a self-reflective exercise
• Highlights the four subsets of character strengths
• Emphasizes the role of virtues in supporting one’s cancer journey
• Encourages exploring strengths to foster resilience and joy
• Provides actionable steps to utilize strengths daily
List of 24 Character Strengths:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
The story you tell yourself about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience, whether
you've been recently diagnosedor are in the midst of treatment
.
Breast Cancer Reimagined isyour podcast for writing this
new chapter of your life.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host, andI'm so glad you're here.
(00:25):
As a proud two-time breastcancer survivor, I'm on a
mission to help women like youreimagine how you navigate your
breast cancer journey by helpingyou shift your mindset,
activate your strengths anduncover deeper meaning in your
journey.
I'm creating future episodes toaddress your unique challenges,
(00:45):
but I need your input.
What are your biggest questionsor struggles when it comes to
your journey?
Share them with me bycompleting the Google form
that's linked in the show notes.
Your voice matters and togetherwe can create something truly
powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
Welcome to the Breast CancerReimagined Podcast.
(01:24):
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host.
Thanks for joining.
I'm a proud two-time breastcancer survivor and I'm on a
mission to help women shifttheir mindset, activate their
strengths and uncover deepermeaning in their breast cancer
journey.
I'm so excited about thisepisode Unveiling your Inner
Strengths a journey through yourcharacter strengths profile.
(01:44):
I will guide you in interpretingyour profile by sharing stories
, self-reflection activities andjournaling exercises.
Download the worksheet and theshow notes so you can follow
along.
This approach is all abouthelping you build self-awareness
and discover more about yourcharacter strengths.
Through these techniques, youcan deepen your understanding
(02:05):
and make your strengths moretangible.
Your character strengthsThrough these techniques, you
can deepen your understandingand make your strengths more
tangible in your life.
So what are character strengths?
Character strengths are thepositive traits that make you
you.
They're universal traits likebravery, gratitude and
creativity that help younavigate life's ups and downs.
Now, these aren't skills youneed to learn.
(02:28):
They're already inside of you,waiting to be activated, waiting
to be expressed.
You can get your personalizedcharacter strengths profile by
completing the VIA survey, afree, scientifically validated
assessment created by the VIAInstitute on Character, a
nonprofit organization dedicatedto bringing the science of
(02:50):
character strengths to the world.
There's a link to the VIAsurvey in the show notes.
Once you complete the survey,download your profile, then take
the time to read thedefinitions of each strength and
explore wherever your mindtakes you and really take in the
strengths.
All right, so before we diveinto your profile, let's start
(03:12):
with an activity called strengthspotting in yourself.
I'll start by sharing anexample, then I'll walk you
through the steps so that youcan complete the activity for
yourself.
Here we go.
In October 2021, I got thedreaded phone call.
I was told that I have arecurrence of breast cancer.
Now it was time for me to meetwith the surgeon and I was
(03:38):
scared.
The diagnosis suddenly feltreal I have breast cancer again.
I went to my husband and Icried in his arms.
He hugged me tight and saidthree words I love you.
That really helped me to relaxand to feel more calm.
(03:58):
And then, about 15 minuteslater, we got on our one wheels
and rode to Stanford MedicalCenter, about two and a half
miles away.
Now, when I ride my one wheel,I sing out loud and I dance.
That day I was listening to thesong Invincible by Kelly
Clarkson.
(04:19):
I felt so empowered and aspeople saw me writing, they
waved, they gave me the thumbsup and some people even mirrored
my dance moves, and I rememberthinking they have no idea that
I have breast cancer.
When we arrived at Stanford, Ihad to kiss my husband goodbye.
It was during COVID and hecouldn't come inside with me, so
(04:42):
I carried my one wheel intoStanford and I had a huge smile
on my face.
I made my way to the exam roomand I set the one wheel down in
the corner.
Shortly the surgeon came in.
She introduced herself and thenshe said something that shocked
me.
She said you ride a one wheel.
I couldn't believe it.
People have seen the one wheelbefore, but a lot of people
(05:04):
didn't know what it was.
They didn't know what it wascalled.
But then she told me that herhusband went to college with the
guy that created it.
What a small world.
But you want to know the bestpart.
She said that she wanted torecord a video of me riding the
one wheel in the office so shecould send it to the guy that
created it.
(05:24):
What an exciting beginning tomy breast cancer journey.
There's a link to that video inthe show notes.
Now I'm going to spot a few ofthe character strengths in that
story.
So the first character strengthzest.
Riding my one wheel, singingand dancing to the empowering
song Invincible helped me to tapinto my zest for life.
(05:48):
Even though I was dealing witha difficult diagnosis, I found
energy and joy in riding my onewheel and that really lifted my
spirits and gave me strength.
Another strength is braveryRiding my one wheel and walking
into the medical center showedmy bravery.
I was facing the challengesahead while staying true to who
(06:12):
I am.
And then hope.
As I rode, I saw peoplecheering me on, which filled me
with hope.
Even in uncertainty, I stayedoptimistic and focused on the
positive Gratitude.
I focused on the positivemoments, like the waves from
strangers and the connectionwith my surgeon.
(06:34):
These small gestures filled mewith gratitude and helped fuel
my resilience Prudence.
I'm a safe rider.
I wore protective gear and paidattention to my surroundings,
such as pedestrians on the trail, traffic and road conditions.
Lastly, curiosity Riding my onewheel to my doctor's
(06:59):
appointment was a unique way forme to get to my appointment.
Now.
These strengths helped to guideme through the challenge of
meeting my surgeon for the firsttime, allowing me to face the
situation with intention,empowerment and joy.
(07:20):
Now it's your turn to explorehow your strengths are already
guiding you in your breastcancer journey.
Strength spotting in yourselfis your first activity, and the
purpose of this activity is tohelp you see how you're already
using your character strengths.
Here are the steps.
Number one reflect on achallenge in your breast cancer
(07:41):
journey that you feel proud ofovercoming.
Write it as a story with aclear beginning, middle and end,
and two with your characterstrengths profile in hand.
Go through your story andpinpoint the strengths you
displayed.
Three journal about how thesestrengths helped you succeed or
(08:06):
make a positive impact onsomeone else.
Have fun with this activity.
Now we're going to move intointerpreting your profile.
Now the purpose is to reallyhelp you build self-awareness
and to explore your characterstrengths.
By becoming more aware of thesestrengths, you can use them
(08:28):
more intentionally to navigateyour breast cancer journey.
This is really foundationalbecause awareness helps to break
through something calledstrengths blindness.
Strengths blindness is when youdon't recognize or value your
own strengths.
And this may happen because youfeel that your strengths,
(08:49):
they're so natural to you thatit can be easy to take them for
granted.
And another reason is becausewe may be so focused on
overcoming weaknesses that weneglect to focus on our
strengths and that makes itharder to see them.
So take a look at your profile,make sure you read the
definitions of each strength andexplore wherever your mind
(09:10):
takes you.
Really take it in.
It's really interesting becausepeople often are surprised by
their via survey results andit's normal to feel a wide range
of emotions, fromdisappointment to excitement.
What is your initial reaction toyour character strengths
profile?
I'll share my reaction to myprofile.
(09:31):
As an example, I was reallyproud that zest was in my top
five because my energy andenthusiasm is something that I
really love about myself.
I was excited that gratitudewas also in my top five because
I'm always talking about how I'mgrateful for the different
things in my life.
(09:51):
I'm always looking for the goodin situations.
I was disappointed because Iwas looking at judgment as a
weakness.
It was close to the bottom ofmy profile and then I also felt
a little confused.
I was confused that bravery wasnumber 24 after my second
breast cancer journey, because Ithought bravery would be higher
(10:12):
on my profile, but it was atthe very bottom.
Just know that whatever yourreaction is to your profile,
it's perfectly fine.
This is a journey ofself-discovery.
What new possibilities andinsights might you uncover by
approaching your characterstrengths profile with curiosity
?
Now we're going to take a lookat the four subsets of strengths
(10:33):
that make up your profile andwhy they matter.
So the first one we're going tolook at are signature strengths
.
Signature strengths are yourcore strengths that feel most
authentic to you.
Your signature strengths areyour superpowers On your profile
.
They are your top fivestrengths.
Your signature strengths areessential.
(10:54):
They are a part of youridentity, how you see yourself.
Signature strengths are alsoenergizing.
They give you a boost wheneveryou use them.
And, lastly, signaturestrengths are effortless.
They come naturally to you.
Engaging your signaturestrengths more often and in new
ways is one of your biggestgrowth opportunities.
(11:14):
Here's reflection questionnumber one Look at your top five
strengths from your VIA surveyresults and pick one strength
that truly feels like asignature strength.
Think of instances where you'veapplied this strength in
various aspects of your life,perhaps work, home, social
situations, managing your healthor in your daily routines.
Managing your health or in yourdaily routines.
(11:36):
Consider how this strengthbrings positivity to your life.
How do you feel when you use itand what positive results does
it help you achieve?
I'll share an example using oneof my signature strengths
gratitude.
I use gratitude in my dailyroutine by writing down three
(12:01):
things I am thankful for eachday and why they matter to me.
I also make a point to expressgratitude to those people in my
life that make a difference,like my husband for his
thoughtful gestures, or theAmazon delivery driver who
brings our groceries because Idon't want to go to the grocery
store, or the technologist whohelps me to feel at ease during
an MRI At work.
(12:21):
I would use my gratitude toexpress thanks to coworkers as
we collaborated on projects andovercame roadblocks.
When I focus on gratitude, Inotice that it helps me to feel
more connected to others and itfosters a sense of community and
support.
Now we're going to look at thesecond subset of character
strengths.
These strengths are calledmiddle strengths and they are
(12:43):
numbers six through 19 on yourprofile.
These strengths are present inyou, but may not come as
naturally or be as frequentlyexpressed as your top strengths.
Why do these strengths matter?
Middle strengths really addbalance and flexibility to your
life.
They give you more tools tohandle challenges and
(13:04):
opportunities.
Reflection question number twowhich middle strength has
already been helping you in yourbreast cancer journey and which
middle strength would you liketo explore further to support
you in new ways?
I'll share an example with oneof my middle strengths love of
learning.
Now, my love of learningstrength has been a powerful
(13:26):
ally in navigating my breastcancer journey by embracing new
knowledge such as mindfulnessand character strengths.
By embracing new knowledge,such as mindfulness and
character strengths, I'veempowered myself with tools and
insights that enhance my copingstrategies and personal growth.
This strength not only providesme with valuable resources, but
(13:47):
it also helps me to maintain asense of curiosity and
engagement, supporting myresilience and adaptability
through challenging timessusceptibility through
challenging times.
Now the middle strength I wantto explore further in my breast
cancer journey is leadership,because I'm passionate about
sharing what I've learned in mybreast cancer journey to help
other women thrive in theirjourney.
(14:09):
This reminds me of one of myfavorite quotes by Adam Grant.
He says when you help others inthe same way that you've been
hurt, not only does it give yourlife meaning, but it gives your
suffering meaning.
I just love that quote.
Now we'll move to the thirdsubset of character strengths
lesser strengths.
Now, lesser strengths arenumber 20 through 24 on your
(14:33):
profile, and I just want to beclear your lesser strengths are
not weaknesses.
The VIA survey only measuresstrengths.
So everything on your profileis a strength, even lesser
strengths.
So lesser strengths arestrengths that you use less
often and they also can bestrengths that you find more
challenging.
Now remember the strengths atthe top of our profile, our
(14:57):
signature strengths, our topfive strengths.
They are energizing to use,they're essential to who we are
and they're pretty effortlessfor us to use.
So now I want you to contrastthat with lesser strengths.
Lesser strengths are lessenergizing to use, they may take
more effort and they're not asessential to your identity as
(15:20):
your other strengths.
And why does this matter?
Your lesser strengths aregrowth opportunities and can be
intentionally cultivated, butagain, they are not weaknesses.
Reflection question number threewhich lesser strength have you
already drawn on, even in smallways, during your breast cancer
journey, and which lesserstrength would you like to
(15:41):
explore further to grow andsupport yourself in new ways?
I'll share an example.
The lesser strength that I havedrawn on is bravery and
self-regulation.
So, for example, when I had anMRI the very first time, I was
really nervous about being inthat enclosed space and it's
really loud, so I took theanti-anxiety medication.
(16:03):
But the next time I had an MRI,I decided you know what I'm
going to call on my bravery, myself-regulation, and I'm not
going to use the medication.
And so instead, what I did is Ifocused on breathing techniques
to help me stay calm during myMRI, and it worked.
The lesser strength I'd like tofurther explore is prudence.
Exploring.
(16:23):
Prudence feels important to menow, post-treatment, and it will
help me thoughtfully plan formy regular medical checkups.
It will also help me tomaintain my wellness routine.
I walk every day and it willalso help me to prioritize
self-care.
This approach will help me tonavigate post-treatment with
more confidence and peace ofmind.
(16:46):
Now we're going to move to thefourth subset of character
strengths, and these are calledphasic strengths.
A phasic strength can be amiddle or a lesser strength.
A phasic strength is a strengththat emerges in specific
situations.
These are strengths that helpus to rise to the occasion.
(17:06):
Why does this matter?
Phasic strengths are reallycontext-driven and they help you
to see how adaptable andresourceful you really are.
Reflection question number fourThink of a time during your
breast cancer journey when youused a strength that's not
usually your go-to strength.
How did it help you and whatdid you learn about yourself?
(17:29):
During my breast cancer journey, I tapped into a strength I
don't usually rely on a lesserstrength called self-regulation.
Rely on a lesser strengthcalled self-regulation.
Being in menopause, I get toexperience hot flashes and night
sweats.
And I say I get to enjoy hotflashes and night sweats just to
add a little humor to thesituation.
I practice self-regulationduring these moments by focusing
(17:52):
on my breath and my body'ssensations.
So what I do is I observe mybody temperature rising.
I just find it so fascinating.
And then I feel the sweatstarting to form on my chest and
I follow it as it starts totrickle down my chest, all while
maintaining steady breathing.
And eventually my body startsto cool down and I noticed this
(18:14):
shift in the temperature.
And then eventually I start tofeel goosebumps because I'm
starting to get cold.
I continue to breathe.
This strength really helps meto become the observer of my hot
flashes, helping me to managethem without becoming
overwhelmed each time they occur.
Through this process, I learnedhow attentive breathing and
(18:34):
mindfulness can transform anuncomfortable experience into a
manageable one, teaching meresilience and patience.
The 24 character strengthsidentified by the VIA
classification are organizedunder broader categories called
virtues.
Each virtue represents a corevalue that encompasses several
(18:55):
related strengths.
The virtue is listed in capsunderneath each character
strength.
Here's a quick overview.
The strengths under the virtueof wisdom enable you to approach
breast cancer with thoughtfulexploration and informed
decision-making.
Strengths under the virtue ofcourage help you face fears and
uncertainties with resilienceand positivity.
(19:17):
Strengths under the virtue ofhumanity, foster connection and
emotional support throughoutyour journey.
Strengths under the virtue ofjustice help you advocate for
yourself and build supportivenetworks.
Strengths under the virtue oftemperance support emotional
resilience and balance in theface of challenges.
And, lastly, strengths underthe virtue of transcendence
(19:39):
bring deeper meaning and joy toyour breast cancer journey.
Now it's time for reflection.
Question number five Based onwhere you are in your breast
cancer journey, which virtue orcategory of strengths are you
most interested in exploring andwhy?
I'll share an example.
I want to explore the strengthsin the wisdom category more
because I want to createengaging content for this
(20:01):
podcast.
Now, wisdom includes strengthsto help me understand complex
situations, generate new ideasand make informed decisions.
For example, creativity enablesme to find innovative ways to
discuss breast cancer relatedtopics.
Curiosity drives me to explorenew subjects and angles to keep
(20:24):
the content engaging andperspective.
It allows me to see the biggerpicture and convey it to my
listeners.
Okay, we've covered the basicsof your character, strength
profile, the six virtues orcategories of strengths and the
four subsets of strengths.
So let's do activity two, tohelp you build awareness and
explore your strength.
This activity is calledthriving with strengths.
(20:47):
Thriving means living life tothe fullest, even when facing
challenges.
It's about growing, developingand using your strengths to find
joy, purpose and positiveconnections in your experiences.
Here are the steps Think aboutwhat thriving looks like to you
during your breast cancerjourney.
Which character strengths,signature, middle lesser or
(21:07):
phasic can help you reach thatvision and why?
And then, once you'veidentified the strengths, pick
one strength that you will focuson this week.
What specific action can youtake each day to actively apply
the strength and move closer tothriving?
I'll share an example.
To me, thriving in my breastcancer journey is about growing,
(21:28):
developing and using mystrengths to find joy and
positive connections in myexperiences.
I want to use my breast cancerjourney as an opportunity to
evolve into the next version ofmyself.
These are a few of thestrengths that will support me
in thriving in my breast cancerjourney.
Zest, one of my signaturestrengths, allowing me to find
(21:50):
joy in everyday moments and staymotivated and engaged in my
pursuit.
Thriving also includes gratitude, another signature strength,
and that means that I am awareof and thankful for the good
things that happen, which helpsme to maintain a positive
outlook and feel satisfied, evenduring challenges.
It also includes hope, a middlestrength.
I expect the best in the futureand work towards achieving it,
(22:14):
keeping my spirits high andmotivating me to persevere
through tough times.
I also include curiosity, amiddle strength I have an
interest in exploring new topics, driving me to discover new
ways of thriving and keeping mylife rich and fulfilling.
And also bravery, a lesserstrength.
I want to face my challengeshead on, even when they're
(22:35):
daunting, and this strengthempowers me to take risks and
confront my fears with courage.
And, lastly, self-regulation.
I see this one as a phasicstrength.
I'm able to manage my emotionsand behaviors with discipline,
helping me remain focused andcalm under pressure.
Now, the signature strength I amfocusing on this week is zest.
(22:56):
When I approach life withexcitement and energy, it helps
me to stay engaged and motivated, even during tough times.
And the specific action I willtake over the week is doing
something each day that fills mewith joy.
It could be anything riding myone wheel, spending time with my
husband and our adorable littlekittens, bella and Luna, or
even something as simple assavoring my morning cappuccino.
(23:19):
And at the end of the day, I'llwrite down one thing that
brought me joy, to help me stayfocused on my strength and to
remind me of the positivemoments during my breast cancer
journey.
Now, as we close out thisepisode, remember to download
and complete the worksheet tohelp you interpret your
character strengths profileusing stories, self-reflection
(23:40):
and journaling.
Also learn more about yourcharacter strengths.
There's a link in the shownotes to the VIA website.
Learning more about yourstrengths can provide valuable
insights, whether it's aboutunderstanding a strength that
doesn't immediately resonatewith you or deepening your
understanding of a strength thatyou use regularly.
Now.
This episode focused onbuilding awareness and exploring
(24:02):
your character strengths.
In episode four, I'll sharestrategies for activating your
strengths in your breast cancerjourney.
I'll talk with you in the nextepisode.
Thanks for joining.
The story you tell yourself about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience, whether
you've been recently diagnosedor are in the midst of treatment
.
Breast Cancer Reimagined isyour podcast for writing this
new chapter of your life.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host, andI'm so glad you're here.
(00:25):
As a proud two-time breastcancer survivor, I'm on a
mission to help women like youreimagine how you navigate your
breast cancer journey by helpingyou shift your mindset,
activate your strengths anduncover deeper meaning in your
journey.
I'm creating future episodes toaddress your unique challenges,
(00:45):
but I need your input.
What are your biggest questionsor struggles when it comes to
your journey?
Share them with me bycompleting the Google form
that's linked in the show notes.
Your voice matters and togetherwe can create something truly
powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
Welcome to the Breast CancerReimagined Podcast.
(01:24):
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host.
Thanks for joining.
I'm a proud two-time breastcancer survivor and I'm on a
mission to help women shifttheir mindset, activate their
strengths and uncover deepermeaning in their breast cancer
journey.
I'm so excited about thisepisode Unveiling your Inner
Strengths a journey through yourcharacter strengths profile.
(01:44):
I will guide you in interpretingyour profile by sharing stories
, self-reflection activities andjournaling exercises.
Download the worksheet and theshow notes so you can follow
along.
This approach is all abouthelping you build self-awareness
and discover more about yourcharacter strengths.
Through these techniques, youcan deepen your understanding
(02:05):
and make your strengths moretangible.
Your character strengthsThrough these techniques, you
can deepen your understandingand make your strengths more
tangible in your life.
So what are character strengths?
Character strengths are thepositive traits that make you
you.
They're universal traits likebravery, gratitude and
creativity that help younavigate life's ups and downs.
Now, these aren't skills youneed to learn.
(02:28):
They're already inside of you,waiting to be activated, waiting
to be expressed.
You can get your personalizedcharacter strengths profile by
completing the VIA survey, afree, scientifically validated
assessment created by the VIAInstitute on Character, a
nonprofit organization dedicatedto bringing the science of
(02:50):
character strengths to the world.
There's a link to the VIAsurvey in the show notes.
Once you complete the survey,download your profile, then take
the time to read thedefinitions of each strength and
explore wherever your mindtakes you and really take in the
strengths.
All right, so before we diveinto your profile, let's start
(03:12):
with an activity called strengthspotting in yourself.
I'll start by sharing anexample, then I'll walk you
through the steps so that youcan complete the activity for
yourself.
Here we go.
In October 2021, I got thedreaded phone call.
I was told that I have arecurrence of breast cancer.
Now it was time for me to meetwith the surgeon and I was
(03:38):
scared.
The diagnosis suddenly feltreal I have breast cancer again.
I went to my husband and Icried in his arms.
He hugged me tight and saidthree words I love you.
That really helped me to relaxand to feel more calm.
(03:58):
And then, about 15 minuteslater, we got on our one wheels
and rode to Stanford MedicalCenter, about two and a half
miles away.
Now, when I ride my one wheel,I sing out loud and I dance.
That day I was listening to thesong Invincible by Kelly
Clarkson.
(04:19):
I felt so empowered and aspeople saw me writing, they
waved, they gave me the thumbsup and some people even mirrored
my dance moves, and I rememberthinking they have no idea that
I have breast cancer.
When we arrived at Stanford, Ihad to kiss my husband goodbye.
It was during COVID and hecouldn't come inside with me, so
(04:42):
I carried my one wheel intoStanford and I had a huge smile
on my face.
I made my way to the exam roomand I set the one wheel down in
the corner.
Shortly the surgeon came in.
She introduced herself and thenshe said something that shocked
me.
She said you ride a one wheel.
I couldn't believe it.
People have seen the one wheelbefore, but a lot of people
(05:04):
didn't know what it was.
They didn't know what it wascalled.
But then she told me that herhusband went to college with the
guy that created it.
What a small world.
But you want to know the bestpart.
She said that she wanted torecord a video of me riding the
one wheel in the office so shecould send it to the guy that
created it.
(05:24):
What an exciting beginning tomy breast cancer journey.
There's a link to that video inthe show notes.
Now I'm going to spot a few ofthe character strengths in that
story.
So the first character strengthzest.
Riding my one wheel, singingand dancing to the empowering
song Invincible helped me to tapinto my zest for life.
(05:48):
Even though I was dealing witha difficult diagnosis, I found
energy and joy in riding my onewheel and that really lifted my
spirits and gave me strength.
Another strength is braveryRiding my one wheel and walking
into the medical center showedmy bravery.
I was facing the challengesahead while staying true to who
(06:12):
I am.
And then hope.
As I rode, I saw peoplecheering me on, which filled me
with hope.
Even in uncertainty, I stayedoptimistic and focused on the
positive Gratitude.
I focused on the positivemoments, like the waves from
strangers and the connectionwith my surgeon.
(06:34):
These small gestures filled mewith gratitude and helped fuel
my resilience Prudence.
I'm a safe rider.
I wore protective gear and paidattention to my surroundings,
such as pedestrians on the trail, traffic and road conditions.
Lastly, curiosity Riding my onewheel to my doctor's
(06:59):
appointment was a unique way forme to get to my appointment.
Now.
These strengths helped to guideme through the challenge of
meeting my surgeon for the firsttime, allowing me to face the
situation with intention,empowerment and joy.
(07:20):
Now it's your turn to explorehow your strengths are already
guiding you in your breastcancer journey.
Strength spotting in yourselfis your first activity, and the
purpose of this activity is tohelp you see how you're already
using your character strengths.
Here are the steps.
Number one reflect on achallenge in your breast cancer
(07:41):
journey that you feel proud ofovercoming.
Write it as a story with aclear beginning, middle and end,
and two with your characterstrengths profile in hand.
Go through your story andpinpoint the strengths you
displayed.
Three journal about how thesestrengths helped you succeed or
(08:06):
make a positive impact onsomeone else.
Have fun with this activity.
Now we're going to move intointerpreting your profile.
Now the purpose is to reallyhelp you build self-awareness
and to explore your characterstrengths.
By becoming more aware of thesestrengths, you can use them
(08:28):
more intentionally to navigateyour breast cancer journey.
This is really foundationalbecause awareness helps to break
through something calledstrengths blindness.
Strengths blindness is when youdon't recognize or value your
own strengths.
And this may happen because youfeel that your strengths,
(08:49):
they're so natural to you thatit can be easy to take them for
granted.
And another reason is becausewe may be so focused on
overcoming weaknesses that weneglect to focus on our
strengths and that makes itharder to see them.
So take a look at your profile,make sure you read the
definitions of each strength andexplore wherever your mind
(09:10):
takes you.
Really take it in.
It's really interesting becausepeople often are surprised by
their via survey results andit's normal to feel a wide range
of emotions, fromdisappointment to excitement.
What is your initial reaction toyour character strengths
profile?
I'll share my reaction to myprofile.
(09:31):
As an example, I was reallyproud that zest was in my top
five because my energy andenthusiasm is something that I
really love about myself.
I was excited that gratitudewas also in my top five because
I'm always talking about how I'mgrateful for the different
things in my life.
(09:51):
I'm always looking for the goodin situations.
I was disappointed because Iwas looking at judgment as a
weakness.
It was close to the bottom ofmy profile and then I also felt
a little confused.
I was confused that bravery wasnumber 24 after my second
breast cancer journey, because Ithought bravery would be higher
(10:12):
on my profile, but it was atthe very bottom.
Just know that whatever yourreaction is to your profile,
it's perfectly fine.
This is a journey ofself-discovery.
What new possibilities andinsights might you uncover by
approaching your characterstrengths profile with curiosity
?
Now we're going to take a lookat the four subsets of strengths
(10:33):
that make up your profile andwhy they matter.
So the first one we're going tolook at are signature strengths
.
Signature strengths are yourcore strengths that feel most
authentic to you.
Your signature strengths areyour superpowers On your profile
.
They are your top fivestrengths.
Your signature strengths areessential.
(10:54):
They are a part of youridentity, how you see yourself.
Signature strengths are alsoenergizing.
They give you a boost wheneveryou use them.
And, lastly, signaturestrengths are effortless.
They come naturally to you.
Engaging your signaturestrengths more often and in new
ways is one of your biggestgrowth opportunities.
(11:14):
Here's reflection questionnumber one Look at your top five
strengths from your VIA surveyresults and pick one strength
that truly feels like asignature strength.
Think of instances where you'veapplied this strength in
various aspects of your life,perhaps work, home, social
situations, managing your healthor in your daily routines.
Managing your health or in yourdaily routines.
(11:36):
Consider how this strengthbrings positivity to your life.
How do you feel when you use itand what positive results does
it help you achieve?
I'll share an example using oneof my signature strengths
gratitude.
I use gratitude in my dailyroutine by writing down three
(12:01):
things I am thankful for eachday and why they matter to me.
I also make a point to expressgratitude to those people in my
life that make a difference,like my husband for his
thoughtful gestures, or theAmazon delivery driver who
brings our groceries because Idon't want to go to the grocery
store, or the technologist whohelps me to feel at ease during
an MRI At work.
(12:21):
I would use my gratitude toexpress thanks to coworkers as
we collaborated on projects andovercame roadblocks.
When I focus on gratitude, Inotice that it helps me to feel
more connected to others and itfosters a sense of community and
support.
Now we're going to look at thesecond subset of character
strengths.
These strengths are calledmiddle strengths and they are
(12:43):
numbers six through 19 on yourprofile.
These strengths are present inyou, but may not come as
naturally or be as frequentlyexpressed as your top strengths.
Why do these strengths matter?
Middle strengths really addbalance and flexibility to your
life.
They give you more tools tohandle challenges and
(13:04):
opportunities.
Reflection question number twowhich middle strength has
already been helping you in yourbreast cancer journey and which
middle strength would you liketo explore further to support
you in new ways?
I'll share an example with oneof my middle strengths love of
learning.
Now, my love of learningstrength has been a powerful
(13:26):
ally in navigating my breastcancer journey by embracing new
knowledge such as mindfulnessand character strengths.
By embracing new knowledge,such as mindfulness and
character strengths, I'veempowered myself with tools and
insights that enhance my copingstrategies and personal growth.
This strength not only providesme with valuable resources, but
(13:47):
it also helps me to maintain asense of curiosity and
engagement, supporting myresilience and adaptability
through challenging timessusceptibility through
challenging times.
Now the middle strength I wantto explore further in my breast
cancer journey is leadership,because I'm passionate about
sharing what I've learned in mybreast cancer journey to help
other women thrive in theirjourney.
(14:09):
This reminds me of one of myfavorite quotes by Adam Grant.
He says when you help others inthe same way that you've been
hurt, not only does it give yourlife meaning, but it gives your
suffering meaning.
I just love that quote.
Now we'll move to the thirdsubset of character strengths
lesser strengths.
Now, lesser strengths arenumber 20 through 24 on your
(14:33):
profile, and I just want to beclear your lesser strengths are
not weaknesses.
The VIA survey only measuresstrengths.
So everything on your profileis a strength, even lesser
strengths.
So lesser strengths arestrengths that you use less
often and they also can bestrengths that you find more
challenging.
Now remember the strengths atthe top of our profile, our
(14:57):
signature strengths, our topfive strengths.
They are energizing to use,they're essential to who we are
and they're pretty effortlessfor us to use.
So now I want you to contrastthat with lesser strengths.
Lesser strengths are lessenergizing to use, they may take
more effort and they're not asessential to your identity as
(15:20):
your other strengths.
And why does this matter?
Your lesser strengths aregrowth opportunities and can be
intentionally cultivated, butagain, they are not weaknesses.
Reflection question number threewhich lesser strength have you
already drawn on, even in smallways, during your breast cancer
journey, and which lesserstrength would you like to
(15:41):
explore further to grow andsupport yourself in new ways?
I'll share an example.
The lesser strength that I havedrawn on is bravery and
self-regulation.
So, for example, when I had anMRI the very first time, I was
really nervous about being inthat enclosed space and it's
really loud, so I took theanti-anxiety medication.
(16:03):
But the next time I had an MRI,I decided you know what I'm
going to call on my bravery, myself-regulation, and I'm not
going to use the medication.
And so instead, what I did is Ifocused on breathing techniques
to help me stay calm during myMRI, and it worked.
The lesser strength I'd like tofurther explore is prudence.
Exploring.
(16:23):
Prudence feels important to menow, post-treatment, and it will
help me thoughtfully plan formy regular medical checkups.
It will also help me tomaintain my wellness routine.
I walk every day and it willalso help me to prioritize
self-care.
This approach will help me tonavigate post-treatment with
more confidence and peace ofmind.
(16:46):
Now we're going to move to thefourth subset of character
strengths, and these are calledphasic strengths.
A phasic strength can be amiddle or a lesser strength.
A phasic strength is a strengththat emerges in specific
situations.
These are strengths that helpus to rise to the occasion.
(17:06):
Why does this matter?
Phasic strengths are reallycontext-driven and they help you
to see how adaptable andresourceful you really are.
Reflection question number fourThink of a time during your
breast cancer journey when youused a strength that's not
usually your go-to strength.
How did it help you and whatdid you learn about yourself?
(17:29):
During my breast cancer journey, I tapped into a strength I
don't usually rely on a lesserstrength called self-regulation.
Rely on a lesser strengthcalled self-regulation.
Being in menopause, I get toexperience hot flashes and night
sweats.
And I say I get to enjoy hotflashes and night sweats just to
add a little humor to thesituation.
I practice self-regulationduring these moments by focusing
(17:52):
on my breath and my body'ssensations.
So what I do is I observe mybody temperature rising.
I just find it so fascinating.
And then I feel the sweatstarting to form on my chest and
I follow it as it starts totrickle down my chest, all while
maintaining steady breathing.
And eventually my body startsto cool down and I noticed this
(18:14):
shift in the temperature.
And then eventually I start tofeel goosebumps because I'm
starting to get cold.
I continue to breathe.
This strength really helps meto become the observer of my hot
flashes, helping me to managethem without becoming
overwhelmed each time they occur.
Through this process, I learnedhow attentive breathing and
(18:34):
mindfulness can transform anuncomfortable experience into a
manageable one, teaching meresilience and patience.
The 24 character strengthsidentified by the VIA
classification are organizedunder broader categories called
virtues.
Each virtue represents a corevalue that encompasses several
(18:55):
related strengths.
The virtue is listed in capsunderneath each character
strength.
Here's a quick overview.
The strengths under the virtueof wisdom enable you to approach
breast cancer with thoughtfulexploration and informed
decision-making.
Strengths under the virtue ofcourage help you face fears and
uncertainties with resilienceand positivity.
(19:17):
Strengths under the virtue ofhumanity, foster connection and
emotional support throughoutyour journey.
Strengths under the virtue ofjustice help you advocate for
yourself and build supportivenetworks.
Strengths under the virtue oftemperance support emotional
resilience and balance in theface of challenges.
And, lastly, strengths underthe virtue of transcendence
(19:39):
bring deeper meaning and joy toyour breast cancer journey.
Now it's time for reflection.
Question number five Based onwhere you are in your breast
cancer journey, which virtue orcategory of strengths are you
most interested in exploring andwhy?
I'll share an example.
I want to explore the strengthsin the wisdom category more
because I want to createengaging content for this
(20:01):
podcast.
Now, wisdom includes strengthsto help me understand complex
situations, generate new ideasand make informed decisions.
For example, creativity enablesme to find innovative ways to
discuss breast cancer relatedtopics.
Curiosity drives me to explorenew subjects and angles to keep
(20:24):
the content engaging andperspective.
It allows me to see the biggerpicture and convey it to my
listeners.
Okay, we've covered the basicsof your character, strength
profile, the six virtues orcategories of strengths and the
four subsets of strengths.
So let's do activity two, tohelp you build awareness and
explore your strength.
This activity is calledthriving with strengths.
(20:47):
Thriving means living life tothe fullest, even when facing
challenges.
It's about growing, developingand using your strengths to find
joy, purpose and positiveconnections in your experiences.
Here are the steps Think aboutwhat thriving looks like to you
during your breast cancerjourney.
Which character strengths,signature, middle lesser or
(21:07):
phasic can help you reach thatvision and why?
And then, once you'veidentified the strengths, pick
one strength that you will focuson this week.
What specific action can youtake each day to actively apply
the strength and move closer tothriving?
I'll share an example.
To me, thriving in my breastcancer journey is about growing,
(21:28):
developing and using mystrengths to find joy and
positive connections in myexperiences.
I want to use my breast cancerjourney as an opportunity to
evolve into the next version ofmyself.
These are a few of thestrengths that will support me
in thriving in my breast cancerjourney.
Zest, one of my signaturestrengths, allowing me to find
(21:50):
joy in everyday moments and staymotivated and engaged in my
pursuit.
Thriving also includes gratitude, another signature strength,
and that means that I am awareof and thankful for the good
things that happen, which helpsme to maintain a positive
outlook and feel satisfied, evenduring challenges.
It also includes hope, a middlestrength.
I expect the best in the futureand work towards achieving it,
(22:14):
keeping my spirits high andmotivating me to persevere
through tough times.
I also include curiosity, amiddle strength I have an
interest in exploring new topics, driving me to discover new
ways of thriving and keeping mylife rich and fulfilling.
And also bravery, a lesserstrength.
I want to face my challengeshead on, even when they're
(22:35):
daunting, and this strengthempowers me to take risks and
confront my fears with courage.
And, lastly, self-regulation.
I see this one as a phasicstrength.
I'm able to manage my emotionsand behaviors with discipline,
helping me remain focused andcalm under pressure.
Now, the signature strength I amfocusing on this week is zest.
(22:56):
When I approach life withexcitement and energy, it helps
me to stay engaged and motivated, even during tough times.
And the specific action I willtake over the week is doing
something each day that fills mewith joy.
It could be anything riding myone wheel, spending time with my
husband and our adorable littlekittens, bella and Luna, or
even something as simple assavoring my morning cappuccino.
(23:19):
And at the end of the day, I'llwrite down one thing that
brought me joy, to help me stayfocused on my strength and to
remind me of the positivemoments during my breast cancer
journey.
Now, as we close out thisepisode, remember to download
and complete the worksheet tohelp you interpret your
character strengths profileusing stories, self-reflection
(23:40):
and journaling.
Also learn more about yourcharacter strengths.
There's a link in the shownotes to the VIA website.
Learning more about yourstrengths can provide valuable
insights, whether it's aboutunderstanding a strength that
doesn't immediately resonatewith you or deepening your
understanding of a strength thatyou use regularly.
Now.
This episode focused onbuilding awareness and exploring
(24:02):
your character strengths.
In episode four, I'll sharestrategies for activating your
strengths in your breast cancerjourney.
I'll talk with you in the nextepisode.
Thanks for joining.
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