Character in Relationships

Begin With Yourself

The workplace is an excellent place for the discussion and development of character. However, the application of character is not limited to the workplace. One of the most powerful benefits of building character is the positive impact on your response to pressures in each area of life.

Every person on earth has equal opportunity to build his or her character. When daily decisions are based on positive values, you will experience practical and lasting rewards. Every person has a choice between mediocrity and excellence in their personal lives. Take a moment to decide right now. Will you make the conscious effort to develop character and thus shape your circumstances? Or, will you allow your circumstances to shape you—most often in a negative way?

The most powerful motivation for developing character is the connection between your goals and the character qualities necessary to achieve them. You cannot experience true success without character.

Make a Personal Commitment

Until you are personally committed to building character, you cannot positively impact your coworkers, family members, friends, or others within your sphere of influence. Commit yourself to developing your own character first. Then, others can learn from and follow your example. Let this responsibility motivate you to become a consistent person of character!

Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Step back and take a careful look at your life. What strengths do you see? What weaknesses? Make a list of each. Then list the character qualities that target each weakness and enhance each strength.

Ask yourself these questions: If I had the power to change anything about myself, what would it be? What are the things that irritate me about myself? After identifying these deficiencies, relate them back to character. If your office is continually a mess, you might need to develop orderliness, diligence, thoroughness, and responsibility. Such introspection is often painfulóbut you will find it well worth the effort in the days to come.
Implement a Plan

Make a list of goals for yourself and include a set of objectives for reaching each goal. Remember, if you aim for nothing, you are guaranteed to hit it. Periodically check up on your progress, and prepare to see your life and relationships transformed!