Building a Strong Character

By Selma Yalazi-Dawani
April 1, 2007

Character consists of traits that form the inner nature of a person. Having good character will help establish a reputation of being a person who can be trusted and counted on. Character is the main determiner of reaching your goals. Your character is defined by what you do, not what you say or believe. Every choice you make helps define the kind of person you are choosing to be. Good character requires doing the right thing, even when it is costly or risky.

Whatever we want to attain, we must let go of the lesser in order to obtain the greater. Every goal requires sacrifices of this sort. Old habits of thinking and behaving prevent us from manifesting our topmost desires and goals. There is no way that one can continue to behave as a victim and also become victorious.

1. What are some typical personal character traits that a person would have that can easily achieve this goal?
2. Do you have these characteristics?
3. How do these traits relate to the success of achieving this goal?
4. How can this trait(s) developed?

Evaluate your performance of these traits on a regular basis. Try to work on improving a virtue that will help you succeed in your life.

ADVENTUROUS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CONVENTIONAL
I am actively seeking new ideas, people, foods, places, etc.

ALERTNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNAWARENESS
I am able to pay close and continuous attention to things around me.

ANALYTICAL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ILLOGICAL
I am able to place the parts of a whole in their proper sequence.

ATTENTIVENESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNCONCERN
I am able to show the worth of a person by giving sincere attention to their words.

AVAILABILITY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 SELF-CENTREDNESS
I make time available to help others in need.

ASSERTIVENESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FEARFUL
I stick up for myself and for ideas I feel are right.

CAREFULNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CARELESS
I give adequate thought to what I say and do.

COMPASSION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 INDIFFERENCE
I am aware of and sympathize for another's suffering and take action to help.

CONSISTENCY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 VARIABLE
People know what to expect from me, I am predictable when it matters.

CONTENTMENT 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 COVETOUSNESS
I am very satisfied with myself and my life.

COOPERATION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 OPPOSITION
I work together with others to accomplish what can not be done alone.

COURAGE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 COWARDICE
I respond to danger and challenge without retreating.

COURTESY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 INSOLENCE
I have thoughtful behaviour regarding other people.

CREATIVITY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNDER-ACHIEVE
Great ideas come to me, I continually experiement to make things better.

DECISIVENESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 DOUBLE-MINDED
I am able to finalize decisions without feeling of fear or changing my mind.

ACCOUNTABLE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNRESPONSIBLE
I keep my word 99% of the time.

DETERMINATION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 HESITANT
Unwavering commitment to what you have set your mind to.

DEVOTION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 INDIFFERENCE
My actions demonstrate my commitment to ___.

DILIGENCE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LAZY
I do not waver from anything till it is completely finished.

CONVICTION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 BLINDNESS
I clearly know what I believe in and am steadfast.

COMPASSIONATE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 GRUDGE HOLDER
I always forgive others and myself.

RESILIANT 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 BLUNDER
I am able to bounce back within 2-48 hours. I recover.

DISCIPLINE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LAZY
I am able to control my time, resources, reactions.

EFFICIENCY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNPRODUCTIVE
I get more done than some people get done in a week.

ENCOURAGEMENT 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 INDIFFERENT
I try to instill confidence, skills, knowledge in others.

ENTERPRISING 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNASSERTIVE
I am able to conceive, plan and initiate a project. I am a leader.

FAIRNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PARTIALITY
I do only what is fair and just.

FAITH 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PRESUMPTION
I get that we are all connected. I value the notion of a higher being or plane.

FLEXIBILITY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 STUBBORNNESS
I quickly adapt to new situations, ideas, people, technology, etc.

FRANKNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 EVASIVE
I always express my feeling openly and honestly.

FRIENDLINESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 HOSTILE
I am able to make another person feel comfortable in my presence.

GENEROSITY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 STINGINESS
I believe in sharing with others.

GRACIOUS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 HARSHNESS
I am always charming and offer appropriate courtesies.

GRATEFULNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNGRATEFUL
I am thankful for all I have.

GREGARIOUS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ALOOF
I enjoy the companionship of a group of people.

HELPFULNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 DETRIMENTAL
I give help where needed or useful.

HONESTY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 DECEIT
I do not lie and have not acted deceitful in anyway.

INITIATING 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 DESPAIR
I believe that I create my destiny to a point, and have hope for goodness.

MATURE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 IMMATURE
I always act in the appropriate manners without resorting to childish behavior.

INITIATIVE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 APATHY
I create my own path and do not wait for others to create one for me.

AUTHENTIC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FALSE
I have no attitude or pretense. I have nothing to prove or sell.

KNOWLEDGEABLE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 OBLIVIOUS
I have a broad based interest, understanding of the world around me and can pull solutions out of a hat.

WIN-WIN 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 WIN-LOSE
Everyone I deal with wins as much as I do.

LOVE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 HATE
I seek the wellbeing of others irrespective of my feelings towards them.

LOYALTY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 UNFAITHFUL
I stand by my family, friends and others to whom I am committed to.

DETAIL ORIENTATED 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 HAPHAZARD
I understand that the details are the building blocks to the big picture.

ORDERLINESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CLUTTERED
I am neat, tidy, and orderly.

PATIENCE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ANXIETY
I can easily wait, no problem.

PRACTICAL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 THEORETICAL
I have a good common sense.

PRECISE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 VAGUE
I tell people precisely what I need to tell them, I don't hint.

DIPLOMATIC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 RUDENESS
I am amicable at all times and seek to build relationships rather than destroy them.

PUNCTUALITY 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 TARDY
I am always on time.

RESOURCEFUL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 WASTEFUL
I do not waste anything, I can find different uses for just about anything.

SELF-CONTROL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 SELF-INDULGE
I control my thoughts and actions. I can push away from temptations.

ACCEPTANCE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PREDIJUCE
I welcome diversity because it expands me emotionally and spiritually.

SERIOUSNESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FRIVOLOUSNESS
I can give deep thought and purpose appropriate to the situation at hand.

THRIFTINESS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 IN DEBT DUE TO EXTRAVAGENCE
I can manage my time and resources appropriately.

TOLERANCE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PREJUDICE
Showing patience with people whose opinions and ways differ from yours.

TRUSTING 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 SKEPTICAL
I have faith in others and expect the best from them.

WISDOM 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FOOLISH
I am wise and try to learn from others as much as possible.

VIRTUE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PROMISCUOUS
I have moral excellence.

VISION 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 BLINDNESS
I see clearly what is possible for me and others and I orient around that.