Character

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

  1. Listen to friends who want to help you be successful.

    Ego can blind you to helpful feedback.

    • Based on one person's experience of being blinded by ego.

    one person who lived it

  2. Read 'How To See Yourself As You Really Are' by The Dalai Lama.

    One person reported this book changed their life.

    • Based on a single personal experience.

    one person who lived it

  3. Establish your own values and morals and stick to them to avoid peer pressure.

    Going against your beliefs due to peer pressure can lead to significant regrets.

    one person who lived it

  4. Do not expect praise for doing things nobody asked or expected of you.

    Expecting it puts yourself up for failure and may indicate you are acting more for your own satisfaction than theirs.

    one person who lived it

  5. Keep a gratitude journal focused on external things to help you become less self-centered.

    Most things you will be grateful for are external.

    one person who lived it

  1. Stop complaining because it does not change outcomes.

    Complaining may award sympathy but won't change the outcome.

    one person who lived it

  2. Make working on your character every day a worthy goal.

    Bravery is defined as being a person of character rather than just doing something great at a single moment.

    one person who lived it

  3. Focus self-improvement on proving things to yourself rather than others.

    Flexing shifts focus away from the journey.

    one person who lived it

  4. When receiving advice, do not immediately explain why it won't work; instead, thank the person or ask follow-up questions.

    It is more gracious.

    one person who lived it

10 more on this
  1. Help others and volunteer, as this primarily benefits your internal well-being.

    It benefits you internally by helping you be a good person.

    one person who lived it

  2. Build character first, as everything else follows.

    Everything else follows.

    one person who lived it

  3. Align your public thoughts with your private thoughts to maintain integrity.

    one person who lived it

  4. Recognize and encourage others' abilities instead of downplaying your own.

    Humility is about recognizing others, not downplaying yourself.

    one person who lived it

  5. Take responsibility for your mistakes and act on becoming a better person.

    5 people, independently

  6. Define humility as being teachable rather than self-centered.

    one person who lived it

  7. Spend time turning your thoughts into deliberate action, developing your character and values, and spending time with family.

    • Based on one person's regret about not doing these things more.

    one person who lived it

  8. Avoid indulging in unnecessary gossip about others.

    Nobody is perfect.

    one person who lived it

  9. Keep your word, be considerate, reliable, dependable, kind, gentle, protective, respectful, faithful, loyal, constructive, optimistic, supportive, hardworking, and humble.

    one person who lived it

  10. If a team member finds a simpler way to do something you were complicating, publicly acknowledge them and reward their contribution.

    one person who lived it

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