Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 184 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

The 12 Markers + 6 Traits of Character

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 184 of our Trek, and yesterday we hiked the “Should Have, Would Have, Could Have” trail otherwise known as the Tyranny of the Should. For today’s trek, we will stop by the 12 Mile-Markers for building your character, which result in 6 character traits that you will possess as a result. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It is starting out as a busy week as expected, but we have been able to accomplish a significant amount and also complete some planning for 2016.

Over the weekend, we moved our large wind chimes to the back corner of The Big House so we can enjoy them while working in our 2^nd-floor office. We are also enjoying the return of our Red Tail Hawk today. It appeared to be looking for some food, so the mice and chipmunks would do well to stay hidden.

When we go for a difficult hike, one of the resulting benefits is building persistent resolve to continue on, even when we may not feel like it. This in turn helps to build strong character. It is time now to set out on our Trek, as we will search for the 12-mile markers that will help us to build good character and then explore the resulting 6 character traits that we should all obtain.

12 Markers for Building Your Character

1. I possess the Right Motivation: I realize that in some capacity, everyone is a leader. As a leader, I am called to be an example-setter of high character to the people to whom I am responsible — whether they are my peers, children, employees, and/or constituents. No matter if it seems inefficient, inconvenient, or ineffective, I will build character because it is the right thing to do.
2. I possess an Accurate Mindset: My character flaws undermine my leadership but are correctable. Character is who I am; competency is what I do. I will no longer confuse the two. Character is not only attractive to me but is irresistible.
3. I possess the Freedom to Choose: I am 100% in control of my character and my response to others. I choose to be a leader of character. I regret my past character-poor choices. I will do all within my power to change. I will become more like the mentors and models I most admire.
4. I possess a Teachable Spirit: I am designed to be a life-long learner. I am teachable and have a strong bias to apply what I learn to who I am and what I do.
5. I possess an Optimistic Vision: A few might remember my competence, but virtually all will remember my legacy of character, good or poor. Many will exceed me in various competencies, but I will set my sight on building a reputation of uncommon character.
6. I possess a Clear Target: I know the “bulls-eye” of high character. I know exactly what character-ethics are and the corresponding behaviors I desire, even though I may struggle to achieve them consistently.
7. I possess the Right Tools: I have taken the time to assess and acquire the correct resources to support my character-building journey, including a list of defined character-ethics and a support system of like-minded leaders.
8. I possess a Sensitive Conscience: I may not always act on its every conviction, but I have a conscience that consistently generates a sense of great personal peace when I act in high character and appropriate guilt when I do not.
9. I possess the Ability to Find a Caring Mentor: My mentors know me personally, and we have agreed on a transparent, accountable, encouraging relationship as it relates to building character. My mentors help me to create and maintain the conditions and principles necessary to build my character. Our respective roles and expectations are defined and mutually understood.
10. I possess an Integrating Perspective: My goal is to operate out of one, unifying and aligning character identity. I will tirelessly work to reconcile all of my various relationships to conform to this single identity.
11. I possess a High View of Relationships: I value relationships, but I’m not perfect. I want to forgive those who make errors and be forgiven as well when I commit them. While this does not eliminate the consequences of committing wrongs (or omitting rights), it assures others that I earnestly value them.
12. I have Counted the Cost: If I start, there is no going back. I will be painfully exposed for what I am if I attempt to champion a double standard or refuse to confront chronically poor character of those in my charge and/or completely abandon my own pursuit of character.

Now that you have a firm grasp of the 12 measures of building character, let’s now explore the six traits that make up strong ethical character.

The best road to a better life is to be a better person, and all of us can be better. I like to refer to this as the six B-C’s of Character: conscience, courage, consideration, compassion, confidence, and control. Let’s look at each of these traits:

1. Be a person of conscience. Listen to the inner voice that helps you know right from wrong and urges you to do what is good and noble.
2. Be courageous. Confront the challenges and choices of your life forthrightly. Make the tough decisions that need to be made, and, above all, maintain your integrity by doing what you know to be right even when it costs more than you want to pay.
3. Be considerate. Be more deliberate, thoughtful, and attentive as to how your words and actions will affect others and reflect on your character. Think ahead so you can avoid undesirable and undesired consequences.
4. Be compassionate. Demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Be kinder and more charitable. Strive to understand more and judge less.
5. Be confident in your capacity to overcome whatever difficulties come your way with integrity and dignity. Don’t underestimate your resiliency. Resolve to persist until you prevail.
6. Be in control of your emotions, appetites, and urges that tempt you to compromise your principles or sacrifice long-term goals for short-term indulgences.

Remember, your character is your destiny.  Your integrity will lead you on the correct trails of life. 

Proverbs 10:9, “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.”

Proverbs: 20:7, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.”

Today on our trek we learned from the 12 mile-markers along our trail that helps us to build character and result in the 6 character traits of a person with integrity. Does your life reflect what we have learned? As you have the opportunity, continue to hike this trail to strengthen your character. Allow your character to be an example to your friends and family as you encourage them to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we explore the concept that you must give to others in order to reach your successful destination.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

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Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!