Creating Your Character is Like an Artist Creating a Sculpture

(excerpted from the Cultivating an Unshakable Character series)

Could creating your character be likened to an artist creating a sculpture? In my opinion, I believe that character is not something that just happens by itself, any more than a chisel can create a work of art without the hand of an artist guiding it. In both instances, a conscious decision for a specific outcome has been made. A conscious process is at work.

Character is the result of hundreds and hundreds of choices you make that gradually turn who you are, at any given moment, into who you want to be. If that decision-making process is not present, you will still be somebody. You will still be alive, but may have a personality rather than a character.

Character is not something you were born with and can't change like your fingerprint. In fact, because you weren't born with it, it is something that you must take responsibility for creating. I don't believe that adversity by itself builds character and I certainly don't think that success erodes it. Character is built by how you respond to what happens in your life. Whether it's winning every game or losing every game. Getting rich or dealing with hard times. You build character out of certain qualities that you must create and diligently nurture within yourself. Just like you would plant and water a seed or gather wood and build a campfire.

You've got to look for those things in your heart and in your gut. You've got to chisel away in order to find them. Just like chiseling away the rock in order to create the sculpture that has previously existed only in your imagination.

But do you want to know the really amazing thing about character? If you are sincerely committed to making yourself into the person you want to be, you'll not only create those qualities, but you'll continually strengthen them. And you will recreate them in abundance even as you are drawing on them every day of your life. Just like the burning bush in the biblical book of Exodus, the bush burned but the flames did not consume it.

Character sustains itself and nurtures itself even as it is being put to work, tested, and challenged. And once character is formed, it will serve as a solid, lasting foundation upon which to build the life you desire.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


What?s Bugging You?

Some people lure romance to them. Some folks magnetize riches.... Read More

Manifest Your Desires Using Natural Hypnosis

Seth, the very high level, spiritual teacher and guide channeled... Read More

How to Manage Self Consciousness

Self consciousness is an essential part of being human, but... Read More

4 Important Conversation Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives

If you are searching for a way to improve your... Read More

The Secret of Self Care

Wherever you go, there you are. There's no escaping it... Read More

Achieving Your Vision of Abundance

How can we have more abundance in our lives? It... Read More

Self-Divine-ation: Defining a Divine Future!

In some of my counseling and coaching sessions, my clients... Read More

A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence

Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed.... Read More

Your #1 Path to Hidden Power

Imagine that you could boost your confidence, courage, and compassion... Read More

Crack the Clandestine Code of Diamonds

Precious, brilliant and expensive-why wouldn't diamonds be a girl's best... Read More

How To Bypass Your Conscious Mind and Program Yourself For Success

Emile Coué, the French psychotherapist once said: "When the imagination... Read More

Attitude Is Everything

The process of human change begins within us. We all... Read More

What Message Are You Sending Out?

A woman phoned me the other day to ask me... Read More

Life Focus: What Does Your Life Say?

"Imagine a funeral. The preacher's giving the eulogy. And suddenly,... Read More

9 Exercises to Enhance Your Self-Expertise

Personal Self-Expertise is an invaluable tool that transforms the way... Read More

Break the Cycle

The other day I was walking out of a store... Read More

Achieving Your Highest Potential: The Journey Begins With Self Awareness

We live in a world filled with beliefs, values, and... Read More

Blushing

Blushing can be a curse. Blushers experience a range of... Read More

5 Powerful Steps To Unleashing Your Creative Self

There is a thread of certainty that runs through many... Read More

Vacation Longing: What You Can Learn From It

Every person's life journey is unique. Figuring out what you... Read More

Dealing with Mr.Charisma

Do you ever find yourself in situations where you feel... Read More

How To Improve Your Life Instantly!

Your mind power makes what you focus on happen. You... Read More

The Top 10 Roadblocks to Attracting Prosperity and what We can Do About Them!

If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would... Read More

Aspire to Be

Many individuals believe that they have to "live up" to... Read More

Letting Go Of Wanting Your Own Approval

Ever had a time in your life when those closest... Read More

Its All About the R Word

What matters most in life to you? Money, Time, Friends,... Read More

Who Do You Want to Meet?

One of the goals that I encourage my clients to... Read More

A Life of Adventure?

In a conversation recently, a friend remarked to me: "Every... Read More

How to be Successful in Life or Small Business!

Not everyone is programmed to be a successful businessperson, many... Read More

Feeding

The purpose of human existence is to send out impulses... Read More

Attract Your Ideal Relationship Using the Law of Attraction

First, I'll need to explain what Law of Attraction is... Read More

Affirm Actions: Stop Lying to Your Soul and Make It Real!

I hear of so many people using affirmations as the... Read More

Some Straight Talk About Your Success And Happiness

I want to warn you: this article can cause some... Read More