BEST SELF

Definition:

BEST SELF: a strong sense of well-being promoted by choices that enhance a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It is the self that allows a person to function at their fullest potential, leading a life with meaning and purpose. Discovering one’s BEST SELF is a continual process.

Goal:

Create a consistent BEST SELF health promotion message from the Division of Enrollment and Student Services to support a healthy, thriving Western community.

As a result of exposure to consistent BEST SELF messaging, the Western community will:

·  Increase self-awareness and self-efficacy

·  Actively engage in a caring and positive community

·  Utilize their strengths to improve their health and wellbeing

·  Encourage and assist others to be their best selves

Prevention and Wellness Services encourages students to discover their BEST SELF by utilizing the following Virtues and Character strengths drawn from the work of Peterson, C. & Seligman M. (2004). Character strengths and virtues:

Virtues and related Character Strengths / Description
1.  Wisdom and Knowledge / Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge
Creativity
Originality, ingenuity / Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things
Curiosity
Interest, Novelty-seeking, Openness to Experience / Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering
Open-Mindedness
Judgment, Critical Thinking / Thinking things through and examining them from all sides
Love of Learning / Mastering of new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge
Perspective
Wisdom / Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself and others.
2.  Courage / Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal
Bravery
Valor / Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain
Persistence
Perseverance, Industriousness / Finishing what one starts
Integrity
Authenticity, honesty / Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine way; taking responsibility for one’s feelings and actions
Vitality
Zest, Enthusiasm, Vigor, energy / Approaching life with excitement and energy. Not doing things halfway or halfheartedly
3.  Humanity / Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others
Kindness
Generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love / Doing favors and good deeds for others
Love / Valuing close relationships with others
Social Intelligence
Emotional and personal intelligence / Being aware of the motives and feelings of self and others; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations
4.  Justice / Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life
Citizenship
Social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork / Working well as a member of a group or team and doing one’s share
Fairness / Treating all people the same and according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions
Leadership / Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the same time maintain good relationships with the group
5.  Temperance / Strengths that protect against excess
Forgiveness / Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others; not being vengeful
Humility/Modesty / Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves
Prudence
Discretion/Caution / Being careful about one’s choices; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted
Self-regulation
Self-Control / Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one’s appetites and emotions; practicing positive self-care
6.  Transcendence / Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning
Appreciation of beauty and excellence
Awe, wonder, elevation / Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains
Gratitude / Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks
Hope
Optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation / Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it
Humor
Playfulness / Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people
Spirituality
Faith, purpose, religiousness / Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme

Source: Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press and Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. www.viacharacter.org

Practicing BEST SELF

1.  Name Identify: a goal you would like to accomplish or a challenge you are facing (short term – week, or longer term)

a.  Goal: I want to create more balance between school, work and social life

b.  Challenge: I am overwhelmed with my homework and have no time for myself

2.  Awareness Choose two BEST SELF characteristics that can help you achieve your goal or assist you with the challenge.

a.  Self-regulation and love of learning

3.  Action Practice (think about how you are applying) your characteristics at least twice a day but hourly is even better!

a.  Schedule study time and break times. Create a study group. Plan activities or events that help you stay connected with friends, plan fun into your day/week, and allow time for you to relax.

b.  Practice wonder and curiosity to foster love of learning.

4.  Answers Reflect on how the above worked for you. Suggestions:

a) Reflect on how you applied your chosen characteristic(s) for the past week.

b) Either continue to work with the same characteristic(s) or choose new ones (depending on your goal or challenge).