I do not simply make new year resolution. Because most of the time I forget and I never pay attention to what I wrote. Over the years, I realized, I can’t write resolution that will not move my heart. “Grand” resolutions in my head will always ended up in my trash bin. Because my heart don’t buy the idea.

Two days ago, I came a crossed a short story. And all a sudden I knew, I need to set this as a resolution for 2018, that is “Do things to build my character every day”. I know that’s it! My felt a trump in my heart. I got moved.

Without a strong character people will eventually topples.

Gordon H. Taggart wrote it so beautifully:
“I wish I were…
honest enough to admit my shortcomings;
brilliant enough to accept flattery without it making me arrogant;
tall enough to tower above deceit;
strong enough to treasure love;
brave enough to welcome criticism;
compassionate enough to understand human frailties;
wise enough to recognize my mistakes;
humble enough to appreciate greatness;
staunch enough to stand by my friends;
human enough to be thoughtful of my neighbor, and
righteous enough to be devoted to the love of God.”

This will be the keys as to where I needed to grow my character. To change and grow my character I need to practice the following behaviors:

1. Continual education. We all have room for improvement. Business leader Harold Geneen noted, “In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later.”
2. Show kindness.
3. Work on myself.
4. Add value. Whatever I do, whomever I meet, add value to that transaction. Leave the situation or the other person a little bit better than before.
5. Practice persistence. Deborah McGriff said, “We must always go the second miles, And it’s that second mile that distinguishes people of character from plain, ordinary folks.”
6. Determination. Character is the result of a long process of determined determination.

The quality of our life, our relationships, and our career is pretty much affected by our character. So is vital that we put some extra thought into the character we are building every day, every month and every year.

© Faith Foo, www.faithfoocounseling.com  [2017]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Faith Foo and www.faithfoocounseling.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Reference:

How to Develop Your Character [Web log post]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://trans4mind.com/…/index-happiness-…/zimmerman35.shtml