When I was younger, I was told that “character” is what you do when no one is watching. This snippet of advice was given with context so I understood it: I could choose to do the right thing, even if I didn’t get noticed for it.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve heard different versions of this and it’s been burned into my brain. How you carry yourself when nobody is around is who you really are. It’s impossible to keep a facade going forever. Eventually, the truth is revealed.
The strengthening of your character (in private) is something few of us probably think about. Yet, the wisest among us advise this regularly. And the in private part is important. If you’re just doing “character-building” exercises for people to see, you’re not building character, you’re showing off. That’s ego, and it’s dangerous.
So how does one “build” character, even when nobody is around see?
Here’s a few thoughts:
- Pick up trash
- Donate (and don’t tell anyone)
- Workout before the sun is up
- Journal/reflect
- Read a book from cover to cover
- Help without expecting anything in return
- Volunteer
- Work hard without complaint
- Keep commitments
- Speak up
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Try something at which you might not succeed
- Learn from a failure (if you’ve never failed, see above)
- Face a fear
- Take care of another person
- Change your mind
What else?
