Five Keys to Making Good Decisions

For some of us, decisions come rather easy while the decision-making process for others is a bit more of "a dilemma." If you find it difficult to make a  decision or your decisions are typically, well, not ones you're happy with, or if you lack the confidence in making good decisions...you're not alone. In fact, there are many people who will admit to having some dissatisfaction in this area of their lives. That's the unpleasant news. The good news is there's hope.

Some people may admit they have no decision-making routine whatsoever. The truth is, they do have a routine, they just don't know it.

Most people who struggle with good decision-making skills will admit that when it comes to making decisions, theirs is typically one that's emotionally-based or without regard to any consideration of the inevitable consequences. Have you ever made a decision only to wish you had taken just a bit more time to consider it from every angle? I think we all have.

Whether or not you consider yourself a good decision-maker, it pays to follow some basic rules. These five keys to good decision-making should help you see things from a common sense perspective and may even help you sleep a bit better as well.

1. Take Your Time: Unless an immediate decision is critical, there should always be some kind of time element that's available for you to think about your decision. If someone is telling you that you must "choose now or else..." beware, or just say no. In most cases, an impulsive decision is not going to be a wise one. Time is the number one culprit of poor decision making. Take control of it and make it work for you, not against you.

2. Weigh the Pros and Cons: This simple process allows you to determine the maximum benefit of a decision, assuming everything goes as you plan. It also allows you to consider the opposite effect should things not go as planned. Some questions that come to mind are: What is my maximum exposure? What's my exit strategy? What are the benefits and pitfalls? Having a complete picture allows you to make the best decision possible.

3. Seek Advice: You're not always alone. For significant decisions, try seeking the advice of a friend or loved one. This is especially significant if the decision has an effect on others, such as a business or family member. Gather key advisors and go over the pros and cons. Consider the perspective of others as you make the final determination.

4. Sleep on it: Some of the best decisions come as a result of time (the first key) and rest. If you're tired, your brain isn't operating as efficiently as it would be in a fully-rested state. It's akin to shopping at the grocery store while you're starving. It can be done but just doesn't make good sense to do such a thing. If you're facing a decision and you have time to sleep on it, a fresh, rested perspective may be just the thing you need for clarity.

5. Reflect: This is the final key and is one that should be practiced after the previous four above. Reflection can be accomplished by simply contemplating or praying about a decision you face. If you're like me, if I'm facing an unwise decision, I simply don't have peace or I'm "uneasy" about it. If that's the case, I follow my instincts and seek a better alternative or come to the conclusion (decision) that best suits me and those closest to me.

Making decisions of any kind has consequences. Making the right ones doesn't have to be difficult and can bring peace and contentment to your life. Consider these five keys next time you face a decision and I believe you'll be better for it.

Until next time!

-G-

"It's not hard to make good decisions once you know what your values are." ~ Roy Disney

We're proud to announce Gary's next book, set to be released this summer. FEAR is a Thief is the first in a self-empowerment series that is written to help people get past fear using five fundamental truths as a basis for understanding and taking action for a better life.

Also be sure to check out: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston spy series. This thriller is receiving rave reviews across the spectrum and has captivated a new following of "spy-fi" readers. 

Get your copy of Westfal's first novel Dream Operative.

Order your copy of these exciting novels today at Amazon.com.

For a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of Gary Westfal, please visit his website (www.gwestfal.com).
 
If you'd like to receive a notification anytime Gary publishes a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit his Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator.

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime he publishes a new blog or provides updates. Please help Gary by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" his Facebook page. Let's push this deserving author to the top among the greats where he belongs.

Please help the author reach more people. If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

Overcome Limiting Beliefs

"I think, therefore I am." ~ Rene' Descartes

The above quote, from the French philosopher, mathematician and writer has stood the test of time and speaks to the power that our thoughts have in shaping our lives.

It's true our thoughts play a major role in shaping everything from the opinions we have of ourselves to the everyday decisions we make along the course of our lives. For if we limit those thoughts through fear then we affect the opportunities and experiences of life that are waiting for us.

If we could somehow get beyond the rational (and often limiting) thought processes that dominate our lives we would find that virtually anything is possible. But how do we do that?

One of the first things we have to do is shift our thinking away from the fact that failure is bad. "...for I have learned more about success from failure than I have from the victories I have savored." That's a quote by yours truly. When it comes to success, one of the biggest lessons in my life has been to accept failure or "setbacks" for what they are—learning opportunities. It's not common practice for me to seek failure but I have learned to embrace it for everything it offers in the way of knowing what not to do inasmuch as I have learned what to do. The experiences have allowed me to accelerate my life in so many areas in spite of the number of "setbacks" that I've had the pleasure of experiencing.

Our minds tend to draw false generalizations based on isolated or past unpleasant events or occurrences. It assigns meaning to each one of those events in such a way that leaves an indelible mental imprint of "experience" the likes of which drive our perceptions, and thus our decisions going forward. It is up to us how we frame those experiences and store them in our subconscious minds.

The beliefs you hold true will make up the fabric of your life's experience. What most of us have difficulty understanding is that the beliefs we have of the world are essentially made up of the subconscious decisions we have made that are principally defined from a conscious personal perspective. Despite the commonalities that "seem" to exist among us, it is safe to say each and every one of us has a slightly different perspective of reality. This reality is made up by our subconscious based upon the experiences of our lives and our conscious reaction to personal circumstances. The only reason any of our beliefs hold value is because we have decided or accepted that they are worthy of the value we assign to them.

Limiting beliefs prevent us from experiencing life at its fullest. Why then would any of us knowingly accept these thoughts? The short answer is that we wouldn't, but all too often we either accept it as an inherent part of our reality or we begin to believe it is a part of who we are personally.

Want to get past this? Then first accept the fact that you can change reality. That's right, reality is what you make of it. That may seem trite or overly simplistic but the fact remains that you decide your own reality. Remember, our reality is shaped by how we process our experiences. Begin by processing your experiences through the lens of a limitless filter. Open your eyes to new experiences with an attitude of expectation over limitation.

To change your perception of reality and the acceptance of limiting beliefs being a natural part of your life, begin by changing the way you identify with destructive thoughts. Stop allowing yourself to be defined by limiting beliefs. If you think you'll never be financially independent, you never will be. Think about how powerful a statement that is.

If limiting beliefs have the power to prevent you from experiencing the goodness of life then it only seems logical that the opposite holds true. Removing the limits from our beliefs can only serve to open the aperture of perspective and opportunity that awaits us. For if you believe you can in fact become financially independent then it is also true.

Whatever you think you know is most likely a figment of your limiting beliefs and overactive imagination. If there's one thing I've learned over the years is that things are seldom what they first appear to be. We tend to exaggerate and stress over situations and conditions that never materialize because of the presumptive conclusions we draw. Most times we're wrong.

What limiting thoughts have a hold of your life? Are you ready to look past them with the knowledge and awareness that you have the power to do just that?

In order to break the backs of limiting beliefs we must push past our assumptions and step forward with confidence knowing that whatever the situation presents, we can handle it. Processing thought is a good first step, but action must closely follow if our subconscious is to be convinced.

Once you begin eliminating limiting beliefs your life will take on a noticeable change. You will have an almost inexplicable basis of confidence, you will be less fearful, you will begin to see (literally and figuratively) more clearly, and you will begin to understand that you can achieve anything you desire. Happiness will become a new foundation of existence for you as you come to the realization that limiting thoughts have no place in your life.

Until next time!

-G-



We're proud to announce Gary's next book, set to be released this summer. FEAR is a Thief is the first in a self-empowerment series that is written to show people how to get past fear using five fundamental truths as a basis for understanding and taking action for a better life.

Also be sure to check out: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston spy series. This thriller is receiving rave reviews across the spectrum and has captivated a new following of "spy-fi" readers. 

Get your copy of Westfal's first novel Dream Operative.

Order your copy of these exciting novels today at Amazon.com.

For a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of Gary Westfal, please visit his website (www.gwestfal.com).
 
If you'd like to receive a notification anytime Gary publishes a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit his Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator.

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime he publishes a new blog or provides updates. Please help Gary by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" his Facebook page. Let's push this deserving author to the top among the greats where he belongs.

Please help the author reach more people. If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

You Are the Message

The amount of time it takes you to read this first sentence is all the time you have to make a first impression on someone new. Seven seconds. That's it. Time's up.

We formulate judgments and opinions of each other so fast that we rarely have time to think about the significance of our processing. Think about the last time you met someone new. How did you feel even before the other person uttered their first word? Was your initial intuition confirmed when they spoke to you or did you misjudge? Did they make eye contact with you as they approached? What did you think of their demeanor, their posture, their gestures, and the tone and delivery of their words? What judgments did you make based on their appearance? Did they "exude" a commanding presence or an unenviable timidity?

Whatever you may have been feeling as you spent those precious first seven seconds coming to your initial conclusion, something else was taking place at the very same time—You were also being analyzed.
 

Human interaction is an amazing concept of study. While most of us tend to see ourselves cast in a favorable light that others must surely see, we rarely consider the alternative perspective others really have of us. Why is that? One reason is simply based on the fact that we're so busy analyzing others that we fail to consider that we too are being analyzed. The other, more often overlooked reason is that every one of us have "hidden windows" or areas that we simply cannot see or are not yet aware of.

Based on the psychological concept of the Johari Window, the theory uses the Johari House, with four windows leading to corresponding rooms. Each room metaphorically represents a part of who we are with respect to our personality, mannerisms, and the interpersonal energy we convey to others as well as the level of awareness and insight we, and others, have upon each area.

Room 1 is that part of ourselves we see and others see.
Room 2 contains the elements that others see but we are not (yet) aware of.
Room 3 is the most mysterious room in that the subconscious part of us is seen by neither ourselves nor others.
Room 4 is our private space, which we know but keep hidden from others.

Knowing that you have areas you cannot see, for one reason or another, is significant in that you are unable to see yourself in the totality of how you are perceived by others. While you may consider yourself to be considerate and open-minded, others may see you as an arrogant know-it-all. This typically occurs when others detect a mismatch in your delivery and your words, for example. It therefore goes to show that we must continually take steps to discover the truth of who we are if we intend to project an accurate reflection of who (and how) we wish to be considered.

One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves is to seek, find, and apply truth in our life. Aligning ourselves with truth permits a better person to emerge from within. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through introspection—that is, being honest with ourselves about what we know and don't know. Pay careful attention to how others react when you're around. Confide in someone you can trust to give you an honest assessment of what they see that you cannot. Be careful not to overreact to the honesty of your trusted confidant and be prepared to accept the changes you must make. These changes will most likely lead to improvements you need to hear and will make it easier to cast a better impression upon yourself.

The impression you make upon others is an integral part of human interaction. The process of conveying an accurate impression is not merely limited to the words we select. While dialogue, tone and delivery are important, they are by no means the only aspects of communication that matter. We communicate with our entire being whether we care to admit it or not. We send signals or convey messages with every conceivable aspect of ourselves. Eye contact, gestures and mannerisms, posture, personal appearance—they are all considered in the amazingly fast seven-second analogy of an initial encounter.
Consider these aspects of human interaction as you look for ways to improve your chances of an accurate analysis (and a positive impression) by others when you meet for the first time:

• Optimism
• Eye Contact
• Comfort Level
• Active Listening
• Gestures
• Physical Space and Contact

These aspects are but a few of the elements that make a clear difference in how you are received, or subtlety rejected, in the First Seven Seconds. Think about the differences in the message you have been conveying against the message you wish to convey from this point forward. The time you spend making subtle changes may be worth the introspection.

Until next time!

-G-

                                                                                                                                          


Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston spy series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel series. Please help me by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" my Facebook page.

If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

Your Circle of Influence

You've seen it written many times in this blog and may have even heard it countless times through other sources...

Our lives are largely determined by the choices we make.

Makes sense, right?

The fact that our decisions play such a pivotal role in shaping our lives isn't all that difficult of a concept to accept if you really think about it. But here's an often overlooked aspect to the power of choice that's just as instrumental in charting the course and construct of our lives...

The company we keep, or more aptly stated, the people with whom we decide to associate, can have a profound effect on the kind life we lead.

The people we (choose to) associate with have more of an influence on the direction and construct of our life than most of us realize or readily recognize. Associate or align yourself with the right person, group, or relationship and your life is positively influenced through challenge, commonality, encouragement, compassion and creativity. Make the wrong choice however, and just the opposite will inevitably occur. And make no mistake, we have the power of choice when it comes to whom we associate with...in other words, we choose our friends and relationships, they don't choose us.

The biggest reason most people choose to stay in bad relationships is because of fear. Face it, most of us absolutely despise even the thought of hurting someone's feelings. More often than not, we consciously choose to stay in a relationship or maintain a friendship out of fear than to muster the courage to move on, even if it knowingly sacrifices our desire for a happier, more meaningful life better suited to the ideals we envision or rightfully deserve.

When it comes to choosing positive relationships, we should keep the following points in mind:

Choose positive influencers - "As iron shapes iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17) The right person or relationship builds upon the strengths you inherently possess. This type of relationship should sharpen you, encourage you, motivate you, and better you. It should be additive in value and should never be a source of frustration, fear, or consternation.

Choose compassionate people - Is your partner or friend a source you can rely on when you're psychologically, physically, or spiritually drained? Will they listen to you compassionately as they help you find the answers that inherently lie within you? Are they a source of positive energy and genuine joy? These kinds of relationships will do more to help you stay on track without derailing your desires to become all you can become.

Choose acceptance-minded people - The best relationships occur between people who allow each other to be "real" and accept each other for whom they are as well as whom they are yet to become. There's a lot to be said about the value of a friend who understands and accepts you, complete with your imperfections, when you need them most. "A real friend loves at all times." (Proverbs 17:17)

Choose centered people - Centered people are not "self-centered"; they are centered and well-grounded and confident with themselves. They are not in relationships to compete or compare. Centered people are honest and unselfish. They know how to communicate on a level that is both meaningful and influential. These people have earned your trust and respect and are able to help you through positive feedback and helpful guidance.

The best relationships should be ones that add value to your life and contain some or most of the above qualities. You have the power to define that. You have the power to remain in bad  relationships inasmuch as you do to escape them and establish better, more loving or meaningful ones. Don't allow fear to keep you tied to relationships that are counterproductive to living a successful, happy life.

The greatest power we possess is the power of choice. You have the power to shape your life through the choices you make and the relationships you keep.

Choose wisely.

Until next time!

-G-

"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do." ~Michelle Ventor                 
                                                                                                                                                 


Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston spy series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel series. Please help me by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" my Facebook page.

If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

The Magic of Teamwork

Just about everywhere we look these days we see messages that promote the power of personal achievement, the significance of introspection, and the importance of empowerment. The fact that we're seeing more of these kinds of messages indicates a positive trend in the expansion of an awareness among the masses that attests to the significance of our potential. While these messages are absolute essentials in the advancement of ideals, initiatives, and endeavors, they form a unilateral framework for the achievement of those very ideals, initiatives, and endeavors. In other words, when it comes to the achievement of just about anything you can imagine it is rarely, if ever, the result of the act or idea of just one person.

The leading paragraph above speaks of society's advancement of the individual through intellect and personal awareness and places great emphasis on individual learning. Colleges drive home the point of individualism through messages and instructional methodologies that emphasize how much a person should know in order to achieve a scholastic degree or academic standing. We're consistently told to "be the best," "you can do anything..." etc. only to arrive into the real world where few are adequately equipped to function collaboratively. For some of us, this comes as a huge surprise as we suddenly realize that little, if anything, can be effectively realized without some kind of teamwork. For those few of us who were fortunate enough to be exposed to team sports and other civic groups, organizations, or memberships, we come better prepared...not fully prepared, but better prepared.

Teamwork is loosely defined as "work done by several associates or like-minded people, each doing their own part according to their strengths or expertise, each contributing a part of whom they are, consciously subordinating personal prominence, to the objective or entirety of the whole." Big breath...in other words, two or more people that work well with each other.

It is a fundamental truth that time and effort are leveraged when two or more people collaborate ideas, ideals, resources, and labor. A myriad of examples immediately come to mind ranging from two like-minded people seeking to create a business to a married couple looking for common ground upon which to build their dreams. The commonality among virtually any of these rests with an ability to build an effective team. At the heart of effective team building lie some fundamental truths that, if applied, will undoubtedly better equip your team for success.

Communication - An absolute essential element in any successful team, communication conveys vital information, discloses the objectives, and inspires. This process doesn't require lengthy diatribes and "death-by-power point" meetings or infer one-sided pronouncements and proclamations. Instead, effective communication should be issue-centric, informative, and support the sharing of essential elements and ideas that will promote the objectives of the team.

Respect - In order to experience the fullness of teamwork and the effective flow of communication, there must be mutual respect among the members. Whether your team is comprised of one other member aside from yourself (a business partner, friend, or a spouse) or is made up of several members, every member must respect the views of the others. Every member must feel as though they have relevance. Relevance supports commitment and loyalty, both of which reinforces a team's overall construct. However, respect is a bi-lateral concept whereby each member should be aware of and reactive to both the strengths and weaknesses of the team, hence the need for the team's existence in the first place. 

Decentralized personal focus - While each member is to be considered a vital part of the whole, the process of team collaboration should never become personal. As soon as it does, it becomes fragile and is in danger of failing. This fundamental truth ties back to the second truth of respect. Ideas and concepts can be scrutinized and analyzed but personalities should never take center stage. Remaining clearly focused on the objectives will always result in team cohesiveness, learning, maturity, and success. I've found that, no matter what the topic, a decentralized personal focus almost always yields positive results while avoiding the sting of personal targeting.  

Define the win - While the concept of teamwork typically will advance the objective, rarely will one member's ideas be fully adopted. More often than not, there will be both adoptions and concessions that will not always be agreed to by one or more members. Defining the win ties back to the first truth - communication. There must be an agreement among the members of the team on the definition of a "win." In other words, whether or not ideas or concepts are adopted or rejected must be subordinated to the overall aspect of progression in terms of moving closer to an objective - the win.

Who do you have on your team? Are you employing the sound principles and truths that will yield the best, most effective results? If not, maybe an adjustment is in order. Start with an open discussion and take it from there. The fact that you bring awareness to the team will begin to pay huge dividends from the start.

Until next time!

-G-

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." ~Andrew Carnegie                 
                                                                                                                                                 


Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel series. Please help me by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" my Facebook page.

If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

Find Your Center

Spirituality...if that word spooks you or sends up a proverbial warning flag, hang with me for a bit longer as I take you away from what most readers will expect to be a blog post about religion.

Far from it...

The essence of why I ever started the Introspection series rests with my desire to raise a "spiritual" level of awareness of the connectivity we have with a higher plane of consciousness we all possess, whether we know it yet or not.

Our subconscious is connected to a powerful source of energy that allows us to disconnect from the daily "noise" that dominates, diffuses and competes for our attention. The source is a place where that still, small voice of reason and wisdom resides. Some call it God—hence the religious implications—while others refer to it as the Higher Self, Chi, the Universe, Superconsciousness, or the Center. What you personally call it isn't as important or as relevant as the fact that it is very real and very powerful.

Your Center is something you can access at will. It is highly sensitive to the universal flow of energy we call life. It is a container of many sublime virtues, some of which are; joy, creativity, intuition, trust, love, integrity, compassion, and aspiration to name just a few.

Far too many of us are searching for something outside ourselves in an effort to satisfy an internal deficiency. We feel alienated, lonely, empty...incomplete. This feeling should serve as a clear indicator that we are out of synch or off course with our true and intended purpose and that a course correction is in order. Our typical first reaction is to look outside ourselves for solutions—a new car, a new mate, a better job—all of which typically result in only temporary and/or hollow satisfaction at best.

One of the best ways to address an internal deficiency is with an internal approach—an introspection. Simply defined, an introspection is an honest examination or observation of our innermost self from both a conscious and emotional perspective. "Great," you may say, "So how do I go about conducting an introspection?" Good question...

In order to hear the quiet leading of that still, small voice we must enlist the faculties of our Higher Self, or our spirit. The best way to go about doing that is to seek wisdom through meditation, prayer, or contemplative mindful awareness. Unfortunately, society continually bombards us with "conscious overload" placing a high emphasis on conscious and physical interactions that are designed to "stimulate" us and provide fulfillment. Yet, I think we can all agree that despite the array of options we have to achieve that objective, something remains amiss. That something lies at the center of who we truly are.

You may have heard the terms "body, mind, and spirit," yet, there are few sources that teach anything having to do with the imbalance that exists by the absence of a focus on the spiritual. Sure, one could argue that there are religious sources designed to address the spiritual aspect, but as a reminder, this article is not so much about the spirit from a religious point of view as it is from the broader context of a higher plane of consciousness that connects us with the divine resources of love, wisdom, knowledge, happiness...and to one another.

A powerful sense of peace and wisdom exists as we connect with our Center. So how do we access it? An overly simplistic answer can be found through the practice of meditation. Our Center contains a veritable storehouse of valuable insight the likes of which can only be found within a deeper level of consciousness. Meditation allows us to connect with our Center in such a way that connects us with infinite wisdom. Keeping things simple, you should find a quiet place to spend a few moments each day solely for the purpose of introspection through meditation or prayer or mindful awareness. Focus on your breathing while remaining alert to stray thoughts that distract you from being fully present, or aware, in the moment. The benefits of introspection are life-altering. Whatever answers or solace you seek is already an inherent part of you and will be there waiting for you in some form or fashion. All you have to do is make an effort to discover the prize that awaits.

It is true that life will bring us exactly what we ask of it. That which connects us with a higher power of consciousness lies at the Center of who we are and drives us to act according to its leading. So, be careful what you ask while knowing that whatever you ask, you shall indeed receive.  

Until next time!

-G-

"Your Center is that place where your story lies...that place where the truest essence of you resides."                     ~ G. Westfal
                                                                                                                                                 


Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel series. Please help me by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" my Facebook page.

If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

Why Character is Important

Good character is built upon sound moral principles. The concept of character can imply a variety of personal attributes including the existence or lack of ethical principles such as honesty, courage, fortitude, loyalty, or sincerity. Character describes a set of virtues or qualities that distinguishes one person from another given varying situations that "test" the parameters of an individual's behavior.

Personal success and achievement is predicated upon the foundation of character, and character is often the result of choices we make that effectively define who we are during a given situation. If a good character-based decision-making process is not present, we'll likely know it from the moment we make a decision that is incongruent with the kind of character that is inconsistent with the foundational principles of success and achievement. Good character can literally help transform us from who we are into whom we wish to become.

Character is the culmination of learned traits. It's not something we're born with. It is something we must take full responsibility for creating. We build character by the standards we uphold, given the varying circumstances we find ourselves in during our lives, no matter what. The character traits we adopt is a personal choice that reflects outwardly inasmuch as it reflects inwardly. In other words, our character is evident to others inasmuch as it is to us. Our character traits are distinguishable between and among us all.

Our character defines who we are and sets the moral standards we uphold as the model for our lives. We build character from certain qualities that we must adopt and instill within ourselves. An honest introspection is typically in order as we face new decisions that require us to form new character traits. Much like the careful nurturing of our mind, body, and spirit, we must also be careful to nurture the qualities we desire to uphold as we form new character traits that define who we are and whom we wish to become.

The really amazing thing about character is that if we're sincerely committed to transforming ourselves into the person we wish to become, we'll not only create those good character qualities, but we'll also strengthen them and re-chart the very course of our lives.

Commit to building your character, starting today. Be mindful of the manner in which you react to given situations while keeping in mind that the manner in which you act or react defines who you are as well as who you wish to become.

Until next time!

-G-

"Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you."



Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

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