Having Character Means Being True to Yourself

Character begins with honesty, not only with those around you, but through being honest and true with yourself. It is that inner dialog that allows you to develop true character. But what is character exactly, how is it built and what does it mean to you and others in your life?

First, the difference between reputation and character
Perhaps the best way to distinguish between the two is to think of your reputation as what people think of you and your character as who you are, what you believe and what you do. Your reputation is created by others and can be fleeting, but the true character you build for yourself exists inside you and can last a lifetime.

Character requires action
Someone with character follows through with their promises. Good intentions and rhetoric are not enough. They stick to their word and they are active in the pursuit of helping others. People depend on them not only for their contribution, but as a positive example and role model. Character also involves proper ethics and values. People of character always seem to do the right thing, often for the benefit of others, not themselves. They have a compass in life that leads them down the right path and they are interested in their inner growth, they make it a point to continue to grow as a person and help others do the same.

You develop character partly by knowing and accepting your limitations and those of others.
Character is a combination of believing anything is possible yet remaining realistic at the same time. Sometimes that means putting your dreams aside and focusing on being the best you can be with what you have at the moment—a lesson that will last you a lifetime no matter what your circumstances. And try to understand that others are probably trying to do the same by making the best of what they have and who they are. That kind of realization and acceptance is a true character builder.

But don’t give in to the things you can change.
If you tell yourself that you will never be happy or find a great job, you are engaging in self-defeating behavior. This worn out phrase still holds a great deal of truth. Do not let simple words (and they are only words) have a negative effect on either the present or the future. Working hard at changing the negative thoughts that enter your mind not only builds character but a life of success and happiness.

Remember, true character begins with an inner dialogue that leads to a life of proper ethics, values, honesty and self respect.