To be more successful 8 things can help build amazing character.

The concept of character first gained notoriety in the 17th century but became popular in the 19th century when the word was infused into the English vernacular.?People were frequently referred to as individuals of "good or bad" character.

In the 20th century a shift took place which emphasized "personality" over "character"".?Ironically, the two are quite different.

Many believe this transition was about moving away from achievement toward performance.?

Regardless, having a great personality is no substitute for incredible character, especially in relationships and business.

The word character first appeared in the Greek language.?Kharakter meant "engraved mark" or "imprint on the soul".

Character was considered a reflection of "your moral soul".?Something you built through virtuous behavior.

In his book The Death of Character James Hunter suggested there are three qualities of true character.?Moral discipline or mastery of the self.?Moral attachment or the consequences of our choices and Moral autonomy or the ability to decide without pressure or coercion.

“Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong”.?- Ralf Waldo Emerson ?

Here are 8 traits of people with exceptional character that elevate happiness and improve success:

Be honest

Anybody with good character is honest.?They do good work and don’t take short cuts to “get ahead”.?These people honor their word and adhere to their promises.?Honesty is what separates the dreamer from the doer.?Honest people develop a reputation for honesty because the DO what they say.?

Be resilient

Character is something we refine in the fire of adversity.?Survivors never quit, unless the struggle is a losing proposition, then they simply recalibrate and press on.?In addition, people with character don’t blame other people for their failures.?They take full responsibility and focus on opportunities.?They have mental stamina most people can’t comprehend.?

Be kind

People with good character love people and they are kind to everyone.?That doesn’t mean they need to be “close” to everyone.?They set firm boundaries but love people and its genuine.?People of true character are kind because they possess humility and compassion. Its authentic and doesn't feel contrived.

Be a leader

People with good character are natural born leaders.?People desire to be in the presence of someone with deep conviction guided by moral discipline.?Great leaders have incredible character, and their reputation is impeccable.?These people earn our trust because they consistently demonstrate their “trustworthiness”.?

“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character”.?–?Ralf Waldo Emerson ?

Be calm

People with strong character stay in control.?They remain calm when the heat is on and don’t get overly emotional.?People like Abraham Lincoln come to mind when I think about a calm demeanor.?They exude confidence and self-control and focus on solutions not exacerbating tension.

Be determined

Good character and hard work are Sympatico.?Building strong character results from hard work and we gain respect for other hard-working people when we do the work required to succeed.?Having talent is a remarkable advantage, but I know plenty of talented people that refuse to do hard work.?We gain character by cultivating the virtues of hard work that coincide with honoring our commitments.??

Be generous

People with strong character help other people succeed.?They don’t view success as something with limited resources, they understand there’s enough room in the world for all of us to succeed.?These people understand how to build successful teams and bring out the best in everyone around them.?They offer their time, expertise, and insight generously.

Be inspiring

One of the greatest things people with incredible character provide is inspiration.?Its easy to be inspired by someone that has done the work.?Someone who has maintained incredible health, looks and feels amazing, and has reached the pinnacle of professional excellence.?Someone who has strong family relationships and children that grow into amazing adults.?People that have elevated into the top 1% socioeconomically but remain humble and generous.?You won’t find these people flexing on social media, they are discreet about their success and too busy changing the world instead bragging about their material possessions, their virtuous behavior or high expectations of others.?

Our true character is that person we become when no one is watching.

Sum it up

Are you working to improve your character??Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.??Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.?Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.?Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.?Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!