10 Character Building Blocks

Character is a word that is well talked about bothcharacter. When there is an audience, people tend
in the business and professional spheres. It is ato show face, tailor their actions, watch habits and
reference to the personality of an individual, theeven watch their own words for that period. That
qualities and attributes unique and distinctive tois perception or reputation management. Catch
the individual. This is who the person is in thethe same person unawares, singing explicit lyrics
absence of an audience. This is what an individualand doing the unimaginable. That is the real person
sees when they place a mirror in front. There arenot what you see advertised. Those little habits
many things that shape or build character eithercompounded together are strong bricks that are
for the good or bad. Some character traits canbuilding your character. You easily become familiar
be re-modeled and turned around for good. Whenwith something you do regularly. Take stock of
you are aware of some of the building blocks tothose little habits on your own. You are the best
your character, you will become more deliberateassessor of yourself as you can afford to be
and intentional about building your own personality.true to yourself about it without taking offense.
You will be cautious and aware of what makesStand in the mirror and take note of those little
you the person you are. The reason behind is tothings. Until you make a decision to change the
make sure your character is sound, stable and fullhabits, your character will be enshrined and
of integrity. Your character shapes people'sembodied by what you do.
perception and association they put to your name.6. The Associations and Relationships you create -
Your name can gain the influence necessary whenEvery human being has an intrinsic desire to
you have a noble character. Your name can buynetwork or reach out to those around. It is in our
better than your cash. Your reputation counts inassociations that we get to learn a lot on life.
your dealings with humanity.Advice from a friend is sometimes more valued
The 10 Bricksthan from any other person including a relative.
1. Your past experiences (background &Friends normally have some things in common. It
upbringing) - The things you are drive towards inis rare for people with different and diverse
life are usually those things you grew up exposedinterests to be close to each other. Friends spend
to. You can only go as far as your exposure cantime, talking and playing together. It is in the
take you both on good or bad behavior. I haveprocess that one learns new things. What have
seen many who have grown in environmentsyou become since your become friends with that
where alcohol was abused and under intenseperson? What were you before that you may
verbal and physical abuse of family members. Thehave otherwise lost? When you part with your
character traits tended to follow the samefriends do you become someone else you are
pattern even through school. I had a bully of anot when with them? Be real.
friend in school whose home environment was7. Your Psycho-Social Spiritual Involvement - Your
exactly how he lived his life. He valued beatingown spiritual connections have values and beliefs
other people for fun. It became his characterthey hold on to dearly. These are beliefs you mix
block. It goes without saying that if you were notor used to formulate or align your own values.
exposed to violent behavior you are less likelyThere are general character expectations
going to become violent than one whoexpected of certain social or spiritual gifts. They
experienced it every day. Expose your children toare sometimes governed by rules and regulations,
the correct character values and traits and theycodes of conduct, commandments, policies and
will naturally grow into that.procedures etc. The condition is that for someone
2. The feeding of the mind (mental diet) - Yourto be a part of any social or spiritual group there
mind is the engine room for your character. Youis an apparent expectation that he/she adheres
become what you think about most of the time.to the given expectations. There are traits and
You think about the things you feed your mindattributes one may carry in life but as soon as
with. The mind is always hungry and serious aboutsomeone joins the group, the character
creating thoughts. Thoughts graduate in beliefs,expectations dictate how a member must behave
actions, habits, into character and ultimately aboth in the personal life.
lifestyle. We feed our minds by the things we8. Your Verbal Produce - Your mouth has
watch and read. The television shows we watchcapacity to produce the bad and the good. What
the websites we visit, the books and magazinesyou speak on is something you have internalized.
we read all feed the mind. Since the mind is theWhen you speak about something so often, you
seedbed of character, it is vital to feed the mindwill soon belief and become it. It is always good to
with the correct diet. You get what you feedcome up with affirmations that you read out loud
your mind with. You cannot expect good to cometo yourself over and over again until they
out of garbage. Garbage into the mind, Garbagebecome part of your confession and second
will be displayed in the form of personality ornature. Affirmations are about speaking something
character. As you watch what you eat physically,that is not as though it is happening in the present.
watch what you feed your mind subconsciously.You say it while attaching all the emotion and
3. The Counsel you entertain - It is important tofocus that goes with it. Begin to feel you have
receive council from people you look up to suchreceived what you are talking about. It creates in
as mentors and heroes in your domain. Everyoneyou a sense of achievement and as you continue
needs a significant other that can speak into theirto carry this attitude, you become what you are
lives. People you hold with high esteem and regardtalking about. Total character change for the
can easily model bad character. You can easilybetter. Say things like "I am a person of integrity,
think that it is alright to behave in a certainI am resolute and make my decisions wisely, I
manner because you see your mentor doing it,am compassionate and loving, I am honest with
you see your Pastor condoning it, you see all yourmyself and with others, I have great respect in
leaders speaking well of it, your personal life coachmy community and country...." Just keep going.
advocates for it. Always judge the counsel youWrite those attitudes you want not talk about the
get. Is this building me to become a better personones you want to change.
or I am being dragged to become another person9. Your Decisions & Standards you set - What
I never wanted to be. You have the right toyou settle for in life can shape your character and
shape your own character.attitudes. It all boils down to choice at the end of
4. The Values you enact - A personal valuethe day. What you choose to become is usually
system is necessary in the formulation of truewhat you begin to work towards. You do not just
character. People can preach to you about goodbecome a certain type of person until you make
behavior but you certainly lean towards thea choice, or decision to become that person.
values you hold dearly to your own heart. It isChoices are pivotal in shaping character. We can
easy to judge a person's character based on thegive you all the benefits of having a certain type
values they uphold. Do you uphold honesty,of character but if you have not internal buy-in
integrity, family etc? Come up with your valueyou remain where you are or choose to become
system. It will generally tell everyone about yourthe exact opposite. Your character is shaped by
character without you having to raise your voiceyour exposure. Your standards are fashioned by
to convince anyone about it. Always revisit youryour level of awareness.
value system seeking to check on the actual real10. Your Vulnerability & Accountability Willingness -
tangible value you get from upholding such values.The building of good character traits happens in a
Bear in mind that you enact or come up withposition of vulnerability and accountability. You will
your own value system. It is important toonly be helped to the degree of your willingness
however bring these to light in the institution ofto receive the help. Character excellence is birthed
marriage because people usually get marriedwhen you allow external parties to know what
without synchronizing value systems. In the endyou are going through for the purpose of being
both sides always get surprised and think theassisted and setup for success. You need an
other party has weird priorities resulting inaccountability partner, someone that can tell you
frustration.as it is without you being offended. You have to
5. The Habits you become familiar with - Thosebe willing to tell the truth. Accountability setups
seemingly little things that you do naturally whenhold information in confidence, nothings goes out
you have no one looking at you are building yourto third parties.