Stage 2 · Lesson 2 of 7

The VIA character strengths survey

The VIA Institute on Character offers a free survey based on research by psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, who described 24 character strengths valued across many cultures, such as curiosity, honesty, perseverance, gratitude, teamwork and love of learning.

The survey takes about 15 minutes and ranks all 24 for you. Look closely at your top five, often called signature strengths, and ask whether they feel like the real you. Treat the result as a starting hypothesis, not a verdict: it is based on how you answered on one day.

Also notice that the bottom of the list is not a list of weaknesses, only strengths you lean on less.

Common traptaking the survey, sharing a screenshot and never using the result.

A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with

ToolFree
VIA Character Strengths Survey
VIA Institute on Character
The free 24-strength survey: a starting hypothesis to test against your own stories

Practise

Greater Good in Action (UC Berkeley)
Guided practices for using strengths and noticing what goes well

Also worth your time

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Carol S. Dweck)ReadPaid
Strengths grow with practice: why a fixed view of your abilities holds you back
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (Susan Cain)Go deeperPaid
Quiet strengths, like listening and depth, that loud classrooms often miss

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).