Join the over 7 million people

who have learned to improve their quality of life with the only free, scientific survey on character strengths.

Research reveals that people who use their strengths every day are:

 
  • 3x more likely to report having an excellent quality of life
  • 6x more likely to be engaged at work
Take The Free VIA Survey

Research shows that VIA character strengths can be used to address a variety of life challenges and achieve positive personal and professional outcomes. Use your VIA character strengths to help you:

Study after study, across cultures, shows that Zest, Hope and Love are the strengths most connected with Happiness. A popular exercise to use your top strengths in a new way has been shown to increase well-being and decrease depression.

Be Happier

The recognition and appreciation of your relationship partner's character strengths is connected with better relationships and more commitment to one's partner. And, strengths endorsement and strengths deployment are related to relationship satisfaction.

Strengthen Relationships

Character strengths are connected with resilience and buffer people from vulnerabilities that can lead to depression and anxiety, such as the need for approval and perfectionism.

Manage Problems

Researchers have found that people who use their character strengths experience a higher level of self-esteem and self-efficacy which means that people feel good about themselves along with a sense of self-confidence and self-assuredness.

Boost Confidence

In two workplace samples character strengths were connected with improved coping with work stress and with a decrease in the negative effects of stress.

Reduce Stress

The use of signature strengths has been connected with individuals making greater progress on their goals. In another study, perseverance was the strength most associated with productivity and least associated with counter-productive work behaviors.

Accomplish Goals

Join the over 6 million people who have taken the VIA Survey and start your journey. What will you find?

Take The Free VIA Survey

Individuals: Empower Yourself

Individuals: Empower Yourself

Whether you are pursuing an important goal, at a crossroads in your life, or just interested in learning more about what's best in you, VIA can provide you with the tools you need to live your best life.

Get Started

Professionals: Empower Others

Professionals: Empower Others

From the classroom to the board room, VIA offers tools and resources to equip you with the expertise you need to bring out the best in others.
 

Get Started

New breakthroughs in the science of character have uncovered exciting possibilities for impacting performance, life satisfaction and managing life issues.  VIA’s reports, courses and resources help you unlock the potential.

Reports

Reports

The perfect complement to the free VIA Survey results, VIA Reports provide insights, practices and resources that map out how to achieve a more optimal, engaged, and positively fulfilled life. Purchase for yourself or use with your clients and employees.

View details »

Courses

Courses

Whether you are a strengths novice or a seasoned practitioner, VIA Courses provide strategies and solutions to reach your maximum potential. You'll be equipped with the skills you need to begin your own journey, and to guide others on their path to empowerment.

View details »

Resource Center

Resource Center

Organized by areas of interest and format, VIA's Resource Center provides free resources to help individuals work with their strengths and to support professionals in delivering high quality, strengths-based services to their clients, employees, colleagues and students.

View details »

View details »

View details »

View details »

Latest News:

Fostering Kindness and Empathy In Schools

Be a Project Motivator: Unlock the Secrets of Strengths-Based Management

This is the first project management book to take the latest research on character strengths - and with sublime skill, wisdom, and experience - integrate strengths seamlessly for project managers! In this book, Ruth Pearce gives "the how" of human motivation. Get your copy on Amazon here. 

Widen Your Perspective! 6 Different Ways to View and Boost Your Strengths

Research on Character Strengths and Health

How do character strengths play a role in health behaviors? Dr. Ryan Niemiec, VIA Education Director, and Alina Yarova, Vice President of Positive Health and Wellness Division, International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), discuss the pioneering research. Read article here. 

Character Strengths Interventions

Panda Planner VIA

Integrate your strengths into your day-to-day tasks and get more organized with this new research-based planner. Panda Planner VIA provides you with prompts and activities to help you apply your strengths to help you reduce stress, find greater balance, and get more accomplished. Purchase your planner and get one for a friend here. 

VIA's, Dr. Ryan Niemiec, named 2017 IPPA Fellow

Teach Kids to Dream With This Fun Exercise

An easy 3-step process for helping kids use their character strengths to construct meaninful dreams! Learn more about this exercise and a new playbook to spark their "awesomeness" here. 

The VIA survey immediately provided me a new way to view myself and others more accurately and fully.

- Mary, Educator

To see others light up when they discover their strengths, then realize the potential that lies within, is one of the most gratifying parts of my work.

- John, Executive Coach