Who we are sometimes is who we are all the time.

We Can't Slip Back

Who we are sometimes is who we are all the time.

Why It Matters

We are not who we are at our best. We are who we are at our worst.

Relative to our character, we can’t slip back to who we once were unless that’s who we still are.

For example, honest people don’t lie. Liars lie.

We like to say, “We slipped,” to make ourselves feel better and look better when our behavior reveals poor character.

But, we aren’t fooling anyone but ourselves.

Once we truly master a particular character trait, we don’t “slip” back because that’s no longer who we are.

We have grown, changed our values, aligned our behavior with those values, and no longer “slip” in that area.

Character development isn’t easy. It’s hard!

What We Do

We identify our character weaknesses, own them, and work to strengthen them.

We strive to actually be who we want others to think we already are.

What We Don’t Do

We don’t deny who we are at the core.

We never say, “I slipped.”

We don’t make excuses for who we really are because making excuses only reveals another character weakness.

Bad Example

Making a bad choice and saying, “That’s not who I am. That was out of character for me.”

Think About This:

“The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of the state of your mind.” ~ Wayne Dyer

“The greatest way to live in honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be. To be in reality what we want others to think we are.” ~ Socrates

Ask Yourself

Am I really who others think I am, or am I someone different?

Did I answer honestly, or am I also trying to fool myself?

“When I “slip” do I make excuses, or I do make changes?

What Do You Think?

Excerpt from Blue-Collar Leadership Toolbox Tips: 60 Micro-Lessons to Maximize Your Influence, Volume 2, Tip #15.