Character is the sum total of who you are and what you do. It is like a multi-layered cake: your values, beliefs and actions make up the individual layers and when they come together, they create something truly special – YOU! Our character bridges the gap between who we are and what we do. Character isn’t something we put on in front of others, it is what defines us when everyone leaves the room. It’s that extra mile we go when no one is looking; it’s saying “thank you” to our barista; it’s being honest with ourselves.
A person's character is a part of their personality, the only difference being that the word 'character' can be applied to an entire group of people. There is no one element that defines your character, but rather it is your actions and words put together over time that does. Character is more than just a few core values. It's what drives you to make decisions and how those decisions are made. Character is how you choose to live your life, and what makes you different from everyone else. Everyone has their own unique style in which they live day-to-day -- different hobbies, interests or beliefs -- even though the same basic principles apply to all of us.
You have a choice to make. You can either choose to be who you are and then learn what you need to learn, or you can choose to be someone else that doesn't exist. The truth is that your character is the only thing that bridges the gap between what you know, who you are and what you need to know in order to get where you want in life.
You may be thinking: “Wait, what? I could be a different person at work than I am at home?!” Yup! This is called being inauthentic. You don't have to do this. You can be the same person all the time, and keep showing up for your customers with heart and soul. Being inauthentic means you're not present. It's like hiding behind a mask. We think that if we were more like someone else, people would like us better or we'd get ahead quicker. But that's not how it works! Your character is a muscle you need to exercise every day. The more you show up authentically for others, the stronger this muscle becomes over time.
Success is not a straight line. If you try something and it doesn’t work out, that’s great! You know have the experience to know what doesn’t work so that you can improve upon it. Learn from your mistakes. Don't let failure discourage you or make you want to quit. Failure is part of the process. Learn from your mistakes, make adjustments, keep trying, and eventually you will succeed! You're the only one responsible for your success. Not your boss, not your coworkers, not your competitors. You. If you were lucky enough to grow up with parents who nurtured you and gave you an excellent education, then congratulations—you've got a head start over most of the world. But if you want to succeed in life, it will be because of you and the choices you make—not because of where you went to school or what family connections might have gotten you an internship at a top company. Remember that most successful people in this world came from nothing, with nothing but their own drive and gumption as they worked their way up. It is all too easy to blame others when things don't go our way. It's somebody else's fault I didn't get promoted! It's somebody else's fault I didn't close that sale! It's somebody else's fault my business isn't taking off! And so on and so forth... But we all know deep down that it isn't anybody else's fault....it is ours--and ours alone--for making the wrong choices. We are responsible for our actions and choices: no one can make them for us or force us into doing something we don't want to do (unless we're held at gunpoint). We must take responsibility for our own actions and use them to build our character before we need it -- otherwise we may find ourselves lacking when times get tough later on in life
I have found in my travels that it is the person of character who always makes the most difference. The person with great character can be counted on. He or she can inspire others to greatness, because their character is so strong that they are able to stand up to difficult situations and not falter. They have integrity; they do what is right because it's right. They know that many times being successful requires them doing the hard thing, but they choose to do it anyway because it's the right thing for their team/community/family. They exercise self-discipline when no one else is looking, and are trustworthy and consistent when you need them most. These individuals are courageous—they are willing to risk their position or even their life for a higher cause or greater good - even when it means standing alone against all odds. These individuals have strength and conviction of purpose, which allows them to be effective leaders in whatever arena they find themselves in - whether they are a housewife, an architect, an athlete or a soldier. These individuals make us better people just by being around them.