Without a strong foundation built on positive character traits,
success will not long endure. It is virtually impossible to fake good
character. Phonies are quickly spotted because they haven’t the
substance and determination to maintain the charade. Developing good
character begins with a positive attitude. Your desire to be a good,
decent, honest, considerate person must first take place in your mind.
When you make the decision to become a person of character, you will
also find that you are much more willing to do the right thing simply
because it is the right thing to do.
We human beings are a complex lot. Many religious writings and great
literary works are based upon the constant struggle between good and
evil that goes on inside every one of us. This struggle is as old as
mankind itself. Yet, while we recognize our own inner struggles, we are
often quick to condemn others. Psychologists tell us that there is no
such thing as a bad person; there are only bad behaviors.
Make it a point to look for the good in yourself and in others. Nurture
the good character traits and work on the ones that may need
improvement. Like plants in a garden, the character traits that grow
strong and productive will be those that are fed, watered, and weeded
regularly.
A better understanding of what you are about your goals, your dreams,
and your aspirations leads you to a better understanding of those
around you. It is critical, therefore, that you be honest with yourself
at all times. The moment you begin to deceive yourself is the beginning
of the decline in your character; it is the beginning of a process of
rationalization that permits you to justify unacceptable behavior. Make
sure you are a person whom you like, a person of sound character. If you
don’t like yourself, how can you expect others to like you? Step back
and examine your behavior as logically as possible. Ask yourself, "Am I
the kind of person I would like to be with?" Developing good character
traits is like achieving any other objective. Determine where you wish
to be and then develop a plan for getting there.
People
of character do what they say they will do, when they say they will
do it, and according to agreed-upon conditions. They are the leaders,
the individuals to whom others turn for guidance because they have
demonstrated that they care, that they can be trusted. If you respect
yourself enough to keep commitments even when it’s inconvenient to
do so, others will come to respect you too. Dependability, like any
other character
trait,
is a habit. Begin today-at the beginning of a new year-to develop the
dependability
habit.
If you procrastinate or find it difficult to meet your commitments,
start small. Promise yourself that you will be on time, for example,
and manage your time so that you are. Soon you will find that it’s
easier to keep other commitments as well.
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Without a strong foundation built on positive character traits,
success will not long endure. It is virtually impossible to fake good
character. Phonies are quickly spotted because they haven't the
substance and determination to maintain the charade. Developing good
character begins with a positive attitude. Your desire to be a good,
decent, honest, considerate person must first take place in your mind.
When you make the decision to become a person of character, you will
also find that you are much more willing to do the right thing simply
because it is the right thing to do.
