Embrace Character as Your Top Priority for New Year's Transformation
Embrace Character as Your Top Priority for New Year's Transformation
It's that time of year again! Do you make a New Year's resolution or not? The notion of a New Year's resolution is often seen as a pointless exercise, as research indicates that 8 out of 10 people give up on their resolutions by February. However, the allure of envisioning a improved version of oneself that one can achieve is quite attractive. What if there was a resolution that you could stick to that would serve as a blueprint for becoming the person you desire to become and significantly increase the likelihood of achieving it? If you're planning a specific project, go for it! But in addition to that, you'll want something essential in your toolkit. It's the quality that most travelers tend to overlook – the strength of character required for your journey. Because it is so fundamental, let character be your ultimate New Year's resolution.
Deciding on what changes you wish to make is not an easy task, and there are numerous recommendations for what you can stop, start, and continue. In 2024, an expert panel from [our website] offered 18 suggestions for achieving your New Year's resolution, including the importance of accountability and flexibility. But how can you become the accountable and flexible individual needed to fulfill any resolution you create? The foundation for the individual you want to become is rooted in your character. Developing your character serves as a metahabit that underpins all habit development and, consequently, a strong foundation for New Year's resolutions.
Your character can be likened to a tree's root system. Your New Year's resolutions form the branches of the tree. We often forget that the branches' health depends on the strength of the root system. Trees with weak root systems are susceptible to being uprooted by strong winds, breaking all their branches. Similarly, many resolutions fail due to a little bit of time pressure or adversity, leading to the resolution's demise. However, a strong character, similar to a strong root system, serves as a foundation to weather the inevitable storms of life. It provides the security and preparedness to face life's challenges with resilience.
Character is a hidden strength, just like a tree's roots. As my colleagues and I wrote in our article "Developing Leader Character: Finding a Way Forward" in the Academy of Management Learning and Education, although character is one of the most ancient areas of study, with philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius, and is prevalent across cultures, it has lost its foundational impact due to the emphasis on tangible accomplishments and daily tasks.
Developing character is often tested in situations that reveal our judgment and decision-making skills. In The Character Compass, a book I co-authored, we provide many examples, including Nelson Mandela's strong character leading the transformation of South Africa under his leadership, as well as instances of weak or imbalanced character, like the Volkswagen emissions scandal, Wells Fargo, and Boeing.
Although character is usually overlooked, its impact is evident in commencement speeches and obituaries, which often highlight a life well-lived. Committing to character development can guide your life choices about what to focus on and help you maintain those choices over your life.
Taking the First Step to Commit to Character
Allow me to share a personal anecdote. I have been fortunate to live an enriching life with a wonderful family, friends, and mentors who have nurtured my character's root system. However, it wasn't until I delved deeply into the art and science of character development 15 years ago that I could intentionally and intelligently strengthen those roots. Most of us have good intentions, but it is easy to overemphasize certain aspects of character and underemphasize others, influenced by what we are reinforced with in our lives, our nature, and our lack of knowledge.
The first step in the character development journey is merely learning what character is and how it can be developed – what my colleagues and I refer to as "joining the character gym." You can think of character development as the metahabit that will guide all your other habits and aspirations, like learning about what it means to become more accountable, flexible, open-minded, and purposeful, to name a few of the character's many muscles. And learn how to become more tenacious and decisive without becoming imbalanced and operating in the excessive vice states of being stubborn or impulsive.
My approach to embracing character has shifted from comprehending the 11 dimensions (Transcendence, Ambition, Teamwork, Empathy, Modesty, Honesty, Temperance, Fairness, Accountability, Bravery, and Discrimination), their 62 associated traits, and understanding how they can manifest in deficient and excessive states, to incorporating this into my daily routine. I kickstart my day with my morning brew, dedicating time to focus on one trait each week and implementing a straightforward exercise to make character a focal point of my day. Although I utilize a smartphone application I co-created to prompt me each morning with an exercise and encouragement for reflection at day's end, the process can be replicated by curating your own exercises and reflections for each trait.
For instance, this week, I am focusing on the trait of heightened environmental awareness as part of the Judgment dimension, and my daily task is "Amplify your awareness by taking note of often overlooked details." This exercise provokes the unexplored aspects of one's foundation and aids in being more mindful and purposeful about what I am paying attention to and why. It's these minuscule moments of existence that serve as the foundation for change. As James Clear stated in his book Atomic Habits, "Every action you undertake serves as a ballot for the person you aspire to become."
The majority of us hold beliefs that have the potential to enhance our lives, whether it's something we strive to cease or something we aim to initiate. Regardless of the objective, it requires sustenance from the sturdy foundational system of character. My New Year's promise is to bolster my commitment to character, acknowledging that it is the one force I have the power to utilize to foster nurturing relationships and cultivate the moment-to-moment quality of existence that allows me to perceive possibilities differently and act upon them in a manner that promotes human flourishing. Committing to character signifies the first step and serves as a compass for "who I wish to become while I am occupied with doing." Character development is an eternal journey, not a destination, and a resolution worthy of devotion.
Developing your character is essential for becoming the accountable and flexible individual needed to fulfill any resolution you create. This foundation for the individual you want to become is rooted in your character, serving as a metahabit that underpins all habit development and provides a strong foundation for New Year's resolutions. Just like a tree's roots, your character provides the strength and resilience needed to weather life's challenges and fulfill your resolutions, even when faced with adversity. Therefore, dedicating time and efforts towards character development is an investment in your personal growth and the success of your New Year's resolutions.