- Smile
- Be an energy giver to others
- Treat every job as important
- Put my whole heart into what I do
- Do not be discouraged by failure.
Notice the circular
nature of character qualities and actions—thoughts, words, behavior.
Possessing the quality gives rise to actions patterned after that
character quality. But it is in practicing actions according to that
pattern that the individual builds the character quality.
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Realize Its Benefits
Expected benefits motivate a person to develop character. Benefits
fall into two categories.
1. Significant benefits
deriving from good character in general:
- Helps individuals reach their full
potential—in knowledge, skills and accomplishments (Consider, for
examples, diligence, dependability, benevolence.)
- Enhances self-acceptance, self-confidence and
self-satisfaction
- Increases productivity and accomplishments
- Improves relationships
- Benefits and encourages others
- Contributes to success.
2. Benefits deriving
from the particular character quality. "Enthusiasm," for instance:
- Provides a renewed excitement to life—to both
the giver and those impacted by the energy given.
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Practice Its Actions
Begin today to regularly practice the actions that will develop the
habit pattern of the character quality, and to experience the benefits
that result. Tackle enthusiastically, for instance, a task that you
typically dislike doing. On occasion, implementation of the desired
end action may be too demanding to accomplish in a single step, and
may have to be approached in a sequence of smaller steps.
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Encourage It in Others
Encouraging the quality in others is beneficial not only to the others
but is especially beneficial to the person doing the encouraging.
Encouraging others will keep sharp your awareness of the character
quality itself, keeps you actively communicating about it and possibly
gaining a new understanding of the quality, and encourages you to keep
actively developing the quality in your own life. In the case of
enthusiasm, remember how infectious it can be!
Encouragement may be
focused on a single individual, on a group of individuals (a family,
for example), on an organization of individuals (a business, school,
religious assembly, etc.).
Four common facets of
encouragement include:
- Model. Demonstrate the character quality or an
intermediate stage in a sequence of steps that will result in a
desired habit.
- Remind/Emphasize. Bring to mind the importance
of developing the character quality—by personal communication or
attitude, etc.
- Expect/Require. By attitudes, words and/or
actions make clear the expectations/requirements and, if required by
policy or requested voluntarily, hold other(s) accountable for
developing the quality.
- Recognize. Affirm and bring attention to the
display by an individual of a good character quality, thereby
encouraging both the individual and others. Similarly, affirm the
achievement of steps in a sequence which will, when complete, result
in the development of an intended good character quality. (These
comments are provided by Character First!®)
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Be
Encouraged
Explicitly invite one or more persons to encourage you in developing
character qualities, lovingly holding them accountable to practice
options. When a colleague hears you grumbling about deadlines, for
instance, ask her to remind you that renewed enthusiasm will help you
get back on course.
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