Source: Faster To Master
Skeptics will say, “It’s impossible!”, “It can’t be done!” or “I was born this way!”
The good news is they don’t know what they’re on about.
Changing your character is doable. In fact, it’s remarkably simple.
That doesn’t mean the path’s quick or easy. It takes sacrifice, persistence, and effort.
But the rewards at the end are well worth it.
Because the only difference between you and your heroes is a character. And when you reforge your nature accordingly, you’ll find their footsteps far easier to follow.
Where does this journey begin? What should you take with you? And whom?
By the time you’re done here today, you’ll answer all of those questions. And what’s more, you’ll have a list of 99 good character traits to inspire you, a set of free value tracking templates to support you and a foolproof five-stage process to guide every step.
Let’s get started!
What Are Character Traits?
One way to better understand character traits is to clearly define three closely related ideas: core values, personality traits, and character traits.
Though often used interchangeably, these terms have distinct definitions:
- Core values (a.k.a personal values) are theoretical ideals of thought, word or deed;
- Personality traits describe a person’s actual public, superficial behavior; and
- Character traits describe a person’s actual private, internal compass.
To understand why building character traits is the focus of this guide, let’s dive deeper.
Core Values vs. Personality and Character Traits
I don’t talk much about core values with clients. Here’s why:
- Values describe ideas;
- Traits describe actions; and
- Actions speak louder than words.
Anyone (or any company) can claim or aspire to “tolerance” or “equality”. But it’s not till those values are expressed consistently and instinctively in their actions that they become traits. And it’s not till they become traits that they impact you and the people around you.
When we focus on values there’s a tendency to talk a lot then “set and forget”. We decide to be “kind”, “generous” and “loving”. We may even write those words down. But until we change how we act in times that demand them, core values are no more than ideas.
That’s why we focus on traits. Obsessing over values is like getting distracted by the half-way line when your gaze should be fixed on the end-zone.
Personality Traits vs. Character Traits
The second important distinction is between personality and character traits.
We all know people (including ourselves) whose “true colors” don’t always match their veneers, who care more about being seen as “modest”, “unselfish” or “thoughtful” than about actually being those things or who put on good acts but betray their true hearts under pressure.
This is the essential division between personality and character traits. Personality traits describe what you do, character traits describe who you are and when the stakes are high or your ability to fake it is low, the character always wins out.
Character Traits Definition
That’s why I focus on character traits. Our goal here today isn’t to teach you to say pretty words or become a good actor. Our goal is to teach you to reforge the core of your being.
Core values are theoretical ideals, positive personality traits can be simulated but positive character traits go right to the heart of us. They’re deep-seated, long-term patterns of action, reaction, and compromise that become especially hard to fake when we’re stressed out or tired.
List of Positive Character Traits: 99 Examples and Definitions
Another great way to understand traits is with lots of characteristics examples.
To that end, I’ve collected a long list of potential good character traits below from sources as diverse as Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations (Summary), Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Summary), religious texts and even handbooks for aspiring samurai and chivalric knights.
Of course, no list is exhaustive (and you’ll find longer ones out there). I haven’t included neutral or negative character traits and I’ve drawn the line at becoming a values thesaurus. But what you’ll find below is a comprehensive list of the most common good traits and personal attributes from the high-quality sources I pillaged.
The result is a colorful collection of “99 values to live by” which I’ve supplemented with definitions (based mostly on the Oxford English Dictionary).
Don’t let the list overwhelm you. Skim through it, let it soak and feel free to make a note of any traits that particularly inspire you. (We’ll be using those later!)
When you’re done, we’ll cover a practical step-by-step process to build them into your life.
Here’s the list:
- Active – Alert, lively and ready to engage in energetically.
- Adaptive – Willing to change in response to one’s circumstances.
- Affability – Being friendly, good-natured or easy to talk to.
- Affectionate – Showing fondness or tenderness.
- Alert – Clear thinking and intellectually active.
- Ambitious – Having desire and determination to achieve success.
- Attentive – Showing careful attention to the comfort or wishes of others.
- Austere – Having no comforts or luxuries.
- Balanced – Enjoying harmony and stability.
- Benevolent – Being well-meaning.
- Careful – Prudent and showing thought or attention.
- Characterful – Showing strength and originality in one’s nature.
- Charitable – Kindness and tolerance in judging others.
- Creative – Showing inventiveness and use of imagination.
- Compassionate – Showing sympathy and concern for others.
- Confident – Being certain in oneself, abilities and qualities.
- Considerate – Showing careful thought not to inconvenience or harm others.
- Cooperative – Complying readily with requests to achieve mutual ends.
- Courageous – Being able to do things that frighten you.
- Curious – Showing a strong desire to know or learn new things.
- Dependable – Being trustworthy and reliable.
- Determined – Displaying firmness of purpose.
- Diligent – Working carefully and persistently.
- Disciplined – Doing what you know you should do (even if you don’t feel like it).
- Dispassionate – Remaining rational and impartial
- Dutiful – Conscientiously or obediently fulfilling one’s duty.
- Encouraging – Giving others support, confidence, or hope.
- Energetic – Showing or involving great activity or vitality.
- Enthusiastic – Showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest or approval.
- Excellent – Being outstanding or extremely good.
- Faithful – Remaining loyal and steadfast.
- Flexible – Ready and able to adapt to different circumstances.
- Forgiving – Feeling no anger or resentment to offenses or mistakes.
- Friendliness – Being favorable and serviceable to others.
- Frugal – Sparing or economical as regards money or food.
- Generous – Ready to give more than necessary or expected.
- Gritty – Displaying courage, resolve and strength of character.
- Hard-working – Working with energy and commitment.
- Harmonious – Being free from disagreement or dissent.
- Honest – Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.
- Honorable – Knowing and doing what is morally right.
- Hopeful – Feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event.
- Humble– Having a modest or low view of one’s importance.
- Independent – Thinking and acting for oneself.
- Industrious – Diligent and hard-working.
- Integrity – Being honest and having strong moral principles.
- Initiative – Assessing things and taking action independently.
- Just – Behaving according to what is morally right and fair.
- Kind – Being friendly, generous, and considerate.
- Liberal – Respecting behavior and opinions different from one’s own
