Priceless Character

What if we’ve underestimated the importance of character?

At first glance, this may seem like an outrageous question. We all understand what character is and why it matters. We spend time discussing how to build and grow our character and what type of character is necessary for success. Despite all these efforts, we still may not yet fully grasp how transformational and impactful a strong character can be.

In his best-selling book “Hidden Potential,” Adam Grant begins by arguing that character - not aptitude - is the biggest difference-maker for successful people. He writes in the prologue, “Character skills do more than help you perform at your peak—they propel you to higher peaks.” In other words, character skills don’t just help us perform at our potential - they actually raise our ceiling and increase our potential.

The good news is that character skills don’t have to be something you’re born with - they can be something you develop. In our new Proven Results workbook, we dedicate an entire chapter to the strengthening of one’s character. Specifically, we look at the Beatitudes as a prime example of what a high-quality character looks like.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

“Two major lessons about character come from this passage. First, we are reminded that character is built when we give the Spirit of God space to work in our lives. The pursuit of righteousness is the best environment for your character to flourish. 

Secondly, character development often happens best through adversity. Most people don’t enjoy being poor in spirit, mourning, or assuming a meek position. However, in the same way that we don’t build strength and stamina without first tearing down our muscles, character often won’t develop until we’re put in situations when we must rise to the occasion. 

Think about a time in your life when you built character as a result of challenges or obstacles that you faced. What do you remember about the situation? How does this experience - even if it was negative at the moment - still serve you in a positive way today?”

We hope these thoughts not only help you grasp the relevance and necessity of character development but also encourage you to think practically about how you can cultivate greater character in your own life. As Carey Nieuwhof teaches us in his book “Didn’t See It Coming,” competence may earn us a position of influence, but our character is what ultimately keeps us in the room.

We are so excited that this workbook is now available for purchase! Grab your copy today, and make sure you get a copy of the full "Abide Factor" book to read as well. 

We also encourage you to consider connecting with one of our trained mentors if you're interested in a more individualized and tailored approach to spiritual growth. This is especially relevant this week as we talk about character and personal development, as this is the main mission of our entire program. We encourage you to schedule a free discovery call to learn more.