What Are Signature Strengths? And Why Every Mum Should Know Hers
When you become a mother, it’s easy to forget the parts of yourself that once felt solid, your skills, your spark, your strengths. But they’re still there. Signature strengths are the unique, science-backed traits that energise you, help you thrive, and make you feel most like you. In this post, we’ll explore what they are, why they matter (especially in motherhood), and how discovering yours can be the first step toward feeling more confident, capable, and connected to yourself again.
Ever Wondered Why Some Days Just Feel Easier?
You might be juggling nap schedules, meal prep, work emails, and laundry—and somehow it feels OK. Even energising.
Other days, doing the same tasks leaves you feeling depleted, frustrated or disconnected.
So, What Are Signature Strengths?
Signature strengths are the personal qualities that come most naturally to you. They're the things that feel easy, energising, and authentic.
Think of them as your inner superpowers—and science agrees.
According to positive psychology research, signature strengths are the top 5–7 traits (from a list of 24) that are most core to who you are. They might include qualities like:
Creativity
Kindness
Leadership
Curiosity
Perseverance
Humour
Fairness
Gratitude
Why Signature Strengths Matter (Especially for Mums)
Motherhood often flattens our sense of identity. You become “mum,” and suddenly forget what lights you up.
Knowing your signature strengths helps you:
Reconnect with your true self (beyond the role of parent)
Build confidence and resilience during tough seasons
Parent in a way that feels more aligned and less forced
Feel more fulfilled in work, relationships, and everyday life
When you lean into your strengths, you don’t just get through the day—you feel more grounded and alive in the process.
Examples of Using Signature Strengths in Everyday Motherhood
Let’s say your top strengths are creativity, love of learning, and humour.
That might look like:
Turning a stressful bath time into a silly singalong
Finding new parenting strategies that fit your style
Creating a colourful wall calendar to help manage the chaos of summer holidays
Another mum with fairness, judgement, and honesty might feel most herself when setting clear boundaries, advocating for her child’s needs at school, or having open conversations with her partner.
This is why there’s no one-size-fits-all way to mother. Your signature strengths show you the way.
How to Discover Your Signature Strengths
The easiest way? Take the VIA Character Strengths Survey—a free, research-backed assessment used by coaches worldwide.
Once you’ve got your top 5, ask yourself:
When do I feel most like myself during the day?
Which moments leave me feeling energised instead of drained?
How could I use one of these strengths more intentionally tomorrow?
You don’t need a career change or a massive lifestyle shift. Just small, daily choices that reconnect you to your core strengths.
What Strengths-Based Coaching Can Do for You
At Mother Brand, we work with mums who feel like they’ve lost themselves somewhere along the way. Strengths-based coaching is one of our favourite tools to help you reconnect with what makes you you—not just the role you’ve taken on.
Together, we’ll explore:
What makes you feel alive and grounded
How to use your strengths to manage overwhelm
Practical ways to feel more confident, resilient, and fulfilled
Book a free discovery call to learn more about how strengths-based coaching can support your wellbeing in motherhood.
Final Thoughts
You’re not “just a mum.”
You’re a whole, complex, powerful person with gifts the world—and your family—need.
Your signature strengths haven’t disappeared. They’re still there, ready to be used in new ways that fit the season you’re in now.
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