National Association for Self-Esteem:

Choosing Your Unique Character

We have all been blessed with many wonderful talents, and the ability to CHOOSE the characteristics that make us unique. We are not born patiently understanding, spontaneously creative, diplomatically assertive, and consistently persistent. Our qualities and characteristics are developed as we grow, and in fact, we can choose who we want to be. When we are proud of our character, who we are and who we are becoming, then we have positive self-esteem.

 

Character Education is becoming an important component in our schools. The Character Education Partnership (www.character.org) in Washington DC is giving cash awards to schools that meet the criteria for excellence in fostering character education in K-12 schools. Some states have an independent group to encourage and reward teachers for programs that focus on the core values in our society, such as Maryland Center for Character Education (http://www.mdctrcharacter.org/).

 

To develop your CHARACTER and be a good role model for others;

1. Start by listing the characteristics you have and are most proud of. Be sure that your daily behavior expresses these characteristics.
2. Then list the characteristics that you want to develop to be more successful in achieving your goals and becoming the person you want to be.
3. Determine the specific behaviors that represent the desired characteristic.
4. Now write the characteristic and specific behaviors on a Focus-reminder card.
5. Each morning, read the card and picture yourself acting that way during the day.

Remember, you become like the person you picture yourself to be. So act as if you already were well organized, full of willpower and self-discipline, friendly and outgoing, calm and confident.

 

For more information on strategies for developing your character, order the book Sponsor Success by Bob Younglove, Performance Coach, Speaker, Author. E-Mail: vicepresident@self-esteem-nase.org

National Association for Self-Esteem
Web site at http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/