Developing a Strong Character: A Guide for Girls
The word “character” is often used to describe someone who has a lot of integrity and moral fortitude. Character development is about learning the qualities that make up a strong, responsible individual. The term may seem daunting for someone who’s just starting out in their journey toward adulthood, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ll walk you through the steps involved with building your character and show you how easy it can be.
What Is Character?
Your character is the combination of thoughts, feelings and actions that make up who you are. Character is the sum of all of your actions—the way you treat others, what you do when no one is looking and how well you handle challenges.
Character is also more than just your reputation; it’s about your ability to adapt to new situations and bounce back from adversity. When someone says “that person has a good character,” they’re referring to their moral integrity and ethical strength.
What Are The Characteristics of Someone With Good Character?
In order to build strong character, one must develop the following characteristics:
- Be honest and truthful.
- Be dependable and reliable.
- Be trustworthy and keep your word.
- Have courage, inspire others, and stand up for what is right even when it might be unpopular at times or difficult to do so because of peer pressure from friends or family members who are not as brave as you are!
- Be loyal to people who deserve it (this does not mean being loyal to bad people who treat others poorly!), such as friends, family members who care about you deeply but may make mistakes sometimes too (like all humans do), teachers whom you’ve known for a long time now; etcetera…(you get my drift). Don’t betray them no matter what happens!
How to Develop a Strong Character
Developing a strong character is an ongoing process. You can’t expect to be perfect from the start, and you’re bound to make some mistakes along the way. But if you take it one step at a time and stay focused on your goals, you’ll get there eventually. Keep in mind that developing your character isn’t just about learning how to act like a good person; it’s also about becoming the best version of yourself. Here are some tips for starting out:
- Develop a positive attitude by staying optimistic and focusing on what’s right with other people instead of dwelling on their shortcomings.
- Be responsible for yourself by learning how to take care of yourself financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually (through things such as faith).
- Be empathetic by trying as hard as possible not only not judge others based upon appearances but instead understand where they’re coming from before making any judgments about them or their actions and decisions.
The Importance of Positivity
Positivity is a choice, but the benefits of positivity go far beyond how it makes you feel. Research shows that positive people are more likely to have successful relationships and careers. They are also more likely to be happy overall. In fact, one study found that optimistic people were 30% happier than their pessimistic counterparts!
So how can you ensure your character remains strong? Here are some tips:
- When faced with a difficult situation, take a moment to think about what the most positive outcome could be instead of dwelling on all of your fears or doubts.
- When someone has hurt your feelings or done something wrong against you, try not to let anger get in the way of seeing things from their perspective; recognize that everyone makes mistakes sometimes—even those closest to us—and forgive them for their actions if possible. It will make both parties feel better in the long run (and it will help maintain healthy relationships).
Be empathetic.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s a key part of character development, because it helps people become more compassionate and considerate individuals. Empathy is also a key part of good relationships, since it enables you to connect with others on an emotional level. Empathy also helps you communicate effectively and make poor decisions less likely; when someone feels understood, they’re more likely to listen to reason without getting defensive or argumentative.
Be responsible and accountable for yourself.
You are accountable for your actions, and you are responsible for your own happiness. You can’t expect others to carry you through life, or make all of your decisions for you. You need to be independent and strong willed enough to make the tough decisions without relying on others, even if that means making mistakes along the way.
In order to develop a strong character—one which will help mold you into an empowered woman—you must be willing to take responsibility for yourself at every turn. That may mean accepting fault when things don’t go as planned; it may mean speaking up when someone needs help; it might even mean standing up against injustice in society or in relationships (including friendships).
Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
When you do the right thing, even when no one is looking, you are developing a good character. You will be able to do the right thing even when you are in a bad mood or tired or not sure about what is right. When you take time to think about what is best for others and make decisions based on this thought, your character becomes stronger.
That’s why I always try to be kind and helpful whenever I can! It makes me feel good and helps other people feel good too!
Put effort into everything you do.
It may seem obvious, but putting effort into everything you do is important. While it is important to be able to tell when you are putting too much effort into something and should stop, it’s also important to understand how to put the right amount of effort into everything that you are doing.
To figure out if you are putting enough effort into something, ask yourself three questions:
- Am I willing to work hard for this?
- Will this help me achieve my goals?
- Is this enjoyable or interesting in some way?
Keep a journal.
- Journaling can be a great tool for developing character. It allows you to reflect on the events of the day, think about how you handled them, and express your feelings about them.
- To begin, write in your journal for five minutes each day using one word as an outline. You can also use prompts such as “What I like,” “What makes me happy?” or “What scares me?” Your goal here is to get used to writing without worrying about grammar or spelling.
- Once you feel comfortable with this approach, try writing three paragraphs per day using these guidelines: Describe something positive that happened that day; describe one challenge you faced and how you overcame it; describe one opportunity where someone else helped make things easier for you. Try to include some detail so that when reading back through your entries later on, they are more interesting than just lists of facts (e.g., “My teacher gave us an assignment today…I struggled with it at first but then…”).
Character is a lifelong process of developing and honing your values, but it’s also important to remember that you can start today. Start by being more positive and keeping a journal, then try the other tips we’ve discussed here. Character isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something that develops over time through practice!