Coaching Illness and Strengths Identification

Studies show that optimists enjoy better health and longer lives because they lead healthier lifestyles, build stronger social support networks, and get better medical care. More optimistic people have better pain management, improved immune and cardiovascular function, and greater overall physical wellbeing. Optimism helps buffer the negative effects of physical illness and is associated with better health outcomes in general. Optimists tend to look for meaning in adversity, which can make them more resilient.

Chronic illness can seriously derail your journey into optimism. It’s a period where very little feels within your control. Familiar activities and feelings of normalcy are scarce. You’re forced to adapt and change. Perceived lack of control can negatively affect your outlook. Taking time to identify your strengths can help you to alleviate many of these feelings. There are several ways to go about doing this:

Remember Back to Past Wins

Think back to periods in your life when you achieved something important to you. What was it? Perhaps it was a time you passed an exam, spoke in front of an audience or were able to manage a project at work.

What happened?

What strengths did you use to pull it off?

What did it tell you about yourself?

How could you implement those same strengths now?  Examples may include confidence, communication, or planning.

Notice Current Wins

Consider anything you may have achieved recently. Even if an illness has limited you, think about all the things you feel that you have handled well.

What has illness taught you about yourself?

What strengths have you had to adopt?

Maybe it is resilience, coping or self-management?

How can these help you again?

Remember What Complements People Have Paid You

Think back to those times when others have said something nice about you. This could have been a family member, friend, teacher, or work colleague. Maybe they said you were kind, smart or confident.  What did it mean to you then and what could it mean now?

Think About Times You Have Helped Someone Else

 Remember a time when you did something which benefitted another person. What did you do and how did it make them feel? What would they say about you now? What skills, knowledge or efforts enabled you to help this person? How can you use these skills again?

Each of these methods of strength identification can benefit you in the following way:

5 Benefits of Strengths Identification

1. Identify your Capabilities

 Being aware of your strengths puts you in a stronger position to know what you can do. It can also help you to decide which ones you can use to manage your illness. For example, being organized can help you plan a schedule which you can easily cope with.

2. Re-establish Your Sense of Being in Control

Many of us who have gone through illness know what it is like to lose control over careers, activities, and social lives. Knowing that you still have certain strengths reaffirms that you still have some control over your life.

3. Boost Confidence

 During illness, it is easy to lose sight of what you still have going for you. Identifying your strengths enables you to realise that you are a capable person in many ways. This can boost your confidence.

4. Encourage Proactivity

Feeling more capable, confident and in control may encourage you to take further action steps. You are likely to feel more enthusiastic about setting certain goals because you feel those outcomes are more achievable for you.

5. Manage Illness More Effectively

Using your strengths knowledgeably, confidently, and proactively can help you plan more effectively around your illness. This can include you obtaining necessary information from your doctors, putting an exercise routine together or planning more health-related goals.