Building Character
Character Qualities
Each month, the
Character Council will highlight one of the qualities on these pages
in greater detail. The listings as they appear here are intended to
give you a brief look at each trait.
After we name and
briefly define each character quality, we'll list "actions to
practice." These actions will help you get in the spirit of the
quality by providing you with several concrete methods for putting the
quality definition into action. Next, we tell you the month and year
the quality will be highlighted. Click
here to see the
chronological character calendar.
Character Qualities 1-9
Alertness
Attentiveness
Availability
Benevolence
Boldness
Cautiousness
Compassion
Contentment
Creativity
Alertness
"Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right
responses.
Action Steps:
- Keep my eyes and ears open
- Recognize and heed warning signals
- Choose to do right before I am tempted
- Tell others of danger
- Stay away from unsafe places
Top
Attentiveness
"Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided
concentration."
Action Steps:
- Look at people when they speak to me
- Ask questions if I don't understand
- Sit or stand upright
- Not draw attention to myself
- Keep my eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouth from
distractions
January 2001
Top
Availability
"Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of
those I serve."
Action Steps:
- Put others ahead of myself
- Find a way to help, not a way to hide
- Be ready when I'm called
- Be glad for the chance to serve
- Check with the right person before I make
commitments
Top
Benevolence
"Giving to others' basic needs without having as my motive personal
reward."
Action Steps:
- See the needs of others as quickly as I see my
own
- Give freely without expecting anything in
return
- Not hoard things for myself
- Not profit from the misfortunes of others
- Give more as I get more
June
2001
Top
Boldness
"Confidence that what I have to say or do is true, right and just."
Action Steps:
- Not be afraid to speak the truth
- Keep a clear conscience
- Support others when they are right
- Be willing to stand alone
- Speak with humility
Top
Cautiousness
"Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right
actions."
Action Steps:
- Think before I act
- Follow safety rules
- Ask permission
- Talk at the right time
- Look out for danger
Top
Compassion
"Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others."
Action Steps:
- Stop to help
- Listen when others want to talk
- Give of my resources to help those in need
- Look for lasting solutions
- Comfort others without regard to race, gender,
faith, age, or nationality
Top
Contentment
"Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material
conditions."
Action Steps:
- Be thankful for what I do have
- Not complain about what I don't have
- Not always ask for "one more"
- Value people above things
- Want less and give more
Top
Creativity
"Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective."
Action Steps:
- Use my talents for good
- See things from more than one perspective
- Use principles to solve problems
- Learn all I can
- Look for new ways to be a person of character
Top
Click here to see the next set of character qualities
