Activity 1: Identifying strengths

It’s not always easy to know our own strengths. Sometimes, others notice strengths in us that we don’t see.

How often do we take the time to let someone know when we notice something amazing about them? Encouraging others to see their strengths can boost their confidence and help them know what others value about them. 

Materials

For this activity each person will need: 

• Paper 
• A small container such as a jar, bowl or box (this will be used to store your strengths in)
• Optional: If you are feeling creative, you could have craft items available to decorate the containers. What they will hold is valuable so it’s nice to make them look special. 

Instructions

1. Ask everyone to think of a time in their life when they have demonstrated strength.
2. Each person takes turns to share their story without being talked over. 
3. After listening to each person’s story, group members take time to reflect and write down on pieces of paper, the strengths they noticed about that person from their story. Write one strength on each piece of paper. 
4. Fold each piece of paper and place in their container for them to read later. 
5. Then, move on to the next person and repeat the process. 

If you are completing this activity on your own, think of someone you know or admire who has shown strength. What do you admire about them? Write down the strengths you think they showed. 

Now think about yourself – what do you have in common with them? What strengths do you share? Are there strengths that are uniquely yours?