Hempstead City of Character - Building Character

Building character in our community starts with building it in your own life. You
may not have thought much about good character before and may have never
been taught what each character quality means. You are really building
character all the time with the choices you make; the question is-will you build
good character or bad character?

You can start by making building good character a high priority. You can choose
to let the hard situations in your life become 'testing ground' for your character,
based on the right choices you make. Good character is the product of a
thousand small choices that add up to a lifestyle of good character. Make a
conscious effort to develop good character and join with others in our
community who are committing to doing so!

Building Character

"Sow a thought,
You reap an act;
Sow an act,
You reap a habit;
Sow a habit,
You reap a character;
Sow a character,
You reap a destiny."
--Samuel Smiles

1. Would your
authorities say you
have good character?

2. Have you caused
damage to
relationships because
of character problems
(dishonesty, disrespect,
anger, etc.)?

3. What do you value
most - wealth, position,
success or good
character?

4. Is your character the
same when you are
alone as when you are
with others? --the same
at home as out in the
public?

5. When you are wrong,
do you quickly admit it?

6. Is your focus more on
yourself than others?

7. Do you do what is
right because it is right,
or because others will
praise you for it?

Evaluate your goals by the character qualities it would take to reach them.
Begin to praise others for their character, rather than for their
achievements. (For example, honor a graduate for his diligence in his
studies, rather than just congratulating him for getting his degree.)

"I Will" Statements
The character quality featured each
month will be followed by 5 "I will"
statements. These break down the
character quality into small action
steps that are clear and do-able.

"The ultimate test of a man is
not where he stands in moments
of comfort and moments of
convenience, but where he
stands in moments of challenge
and moments of controversy."
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Evaluate
Your
Character

Begin by "thinking character." Look at situations around you through the
grid of character; in other words, evaluate what you see and hear from the
standpoint of character rather the usual measuring sticks. What character
quality was needed? What character quality was displayed?

"If you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it"

Learn about each character quality. A new character quality will be
featured here each month.
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Assess your weaknesses and strengths in character. Don't think that
strength in some qualities justifies weakness in others. All qualities are
needed in order to live a balanced and successful life. Then-

Learn the negative opposite; for example, diligence vs. laziness. The
mental picture you get of the negative will help you better understand
the positive quality

List the qualities you want to develop. For example, if you are always late, you
might want to work on deference, responsibility, sensitivity, and punctuality.
Make a plan. List your goals and then make a list of achievable steps to reach
that goal.
Find a role model who is strong in the quality you want to develop.
Place visual reminders of the quality you want to develop in your "space."
Colorful posters and calendars are available resources to help you.

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Surround yourself with people of good character. Just as two pendulum
clocks placed together will swing in synchroniza-tion, we tend to become
like the people we spend time with. Purpose not to respond in poor
character to those who are acting in poor character. Let your good
character influence others.

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- Reward and honor those who show good character.

Memorize the definition for that quality

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