The Positivity Project
What is The Positivity Project (P2)?
Mission: To help America’s youth build stronger relationships by recognizing the character strengths in themselves and others.
Vision: To develop leaders and citizens who will strengthen our communities and country by internalizing the belief that “Other People Matter”.
Each week throughout the year, students learn about a new character strength as part of The Positivity Project.

Character Strengths by Week
Week of March 1 - Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm means you approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.
Enthusiasm Quotes:
- In bad times and good, I have never lost my sense of zest for life. ~Walt Disney
- Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity. ~Bo Bennet
- Success consists of going form failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm. ~Winston Churchill
Enthusiasm Questions:
- What are words that you would use to describe someone who has enthusiasm?
- Do you think enthusiasm and zest are contagious?
- In what ways can having enthusiasm be helpful in your life?
- Can having too much enthusiasm ever be a problem?
Week of February 22 - Cheering Others' Successes
Cheering Others' Successes
Cheering for Others Quotes:
- "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." - Booker T. Washington
- "We rise by lifting others." - Robert Ingersoll
Cheering for Others Questions:
- Is it harder to be supportive of some people than others? Why or why not?
- What does cheering for others mean to you?
- What are some different ways you can cheer for others?
Week of February 15 - Humility
Humility means you do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.
Humility Quotes:
- “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." ~ERNEST HEMINGWAY
- “A true genius admits he knows nothing.” ~ALBERT EINSTEIN
- “It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. ~MAHATMA GANDHI
Humility Questions:
- How do humility and leadership go hand in hand?
- Can you think of someone who displays humility? How do they demonstrate this?
- How does humility impact relationships?
Week of February 8 - Love
Love means you value close relationships with others and being close to people
Love Quotes:
- “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only what you are expecting to give – which is everything.” ~KATHARINE HEPBRUN
- “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” ~MAYA ANGELOU
- “Think of love as a state of grace; not the means to anything but the alpha and omega, an end in itself.” ~GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ
Love Questions?
- What are some ways you can show love toward others?
- How can we feel love for things such as music, art, books, etc.?
- Is it the same kind of love we feel for people?
Week of February 1 - Integrity
What does integrity mean?
You are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.
Integrity Quotes:
- "The time is always right to do what is right." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
- "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad." ~ Abraham Lincoln
- "Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking." ~ J. C. Watts
Integrity Questions:
- How does keeping your word demonstrate integrity?
- Why is showing integrity so important for friendships and relationships?
- Why do you think showing integrity can sometimes be hard, but still worth it?
Week of January 25 - Supporting others when they struggle
Supporting others when they are struggling means when you see someone having a hard time, you step in and ask what you can do to help.
Supporting Others Quotes:
- "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." ~Walter Winchell
- "Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light/" ~ Helen Keller
- "We have responsibility to help those around us and help those in need." ~Virginia Williams
Supporting Others Questions:
- Have you ever been struggling and in need of support? What happened?
- Can you think of a time where you have supported someone?
- How does it feel when you support others through a tough time?
Week of January 18 - Perseverance
Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
Perseverance Quotes:
- "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." ~Albert Einstein
- "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." ~Dale Carnegie
- "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." ~Pele
Perseverance Questions:
- What are some ways you've shown perseverance in your life?
- Have you ever been afraid to make a mistake? Why were you afraid?
- Do you remember the first time you tried something new? Was it easy for you or did you have to try many times?
Week of January 11 - Prudence
Prudence means you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
Prudence Quotes:
- "The choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." - Eleanor Roosevelt
- "Life is all about making choices. Always do your best to make the right ones, and always do your best to learn from the wrong ones." - Unknown
Prudence Questions:
- How do your choices affect you? How do your choices affect others?
- How does making careful choices help you to achieve your goals?
- What can you do to encourage others to show prudence?
- What short term goals will you need to achieve in order to work towards one of your larger goals?
- What might distract you from achieving your goal and how can you deflect that?
Week of January 4 - Optimism
Optimism means you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.
Optimism Quotes:
- "You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down." - Charlie Chaplin
- "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu
Optimism Questions:
- Why is it important to be optimistic and have hope?
- How can our optimism affect others?
- What can you do to help others practice optimism at home, at school, and in your community?
- Why is it sometimes hard to be optimistic? What are some ways you can work through this type of challenge?