Traits are character values that we espouse and live deliberately over a period such that people equate them with us as habits. Those little habits that we put up daily do actually become the defining character that we are identified with. They represent us everywhere, whether we are present there or after we have long stepped out.
Character is the representation of the victories we gained over negativity. Character comes with the self-discipline of the sacrifices we make on those things that we envision, attract and believe in. Based on these we exhibit faith in ourselves and our abilities, which we develop over a period. We extend the same energies to the causes we pursue. We infuse our character in the brands that we build.
In this post, we share eleven concepts that we believe that if you are conscious of them and you apply them routinely, they will not only help you grow, they will take you through your processes and deliver you at your destination, however long it takes.
What are these traits or concepts that can help you grow and manifest exactly what you envision of yourself?
KNOW YOUR DEFINITE CHIEF AIM
The first concept is for you to identify your purpose or your definite chief aim for being in this space. The sun, the moon, the wind, the waters of the earth and indeed, everything in nature has a definite purpose that they serve.
In the same way, you are created and wired to serve a specific purpose. You must find this unique purpose and come up with a definitive statement about it. Write it out and paste it somewhere, but more importantly, let it be written in your heart and drilled into your brain.
If it aligns with your brain and heart, it will affect your wallet. If it can have this impact on you, it should have the same impact on others, who you are ordained and targetted to serve. It will attract and manifest the same value to you because it proceeded from you, it would return to you.
You have to know exactly what you really want, desire it, develop yourself for it and pursue it relentlessly till you manifest it.
VISION AND FOCUS
Closely aligned with definite chief aim are the duo of vision and focus. Vision is within your purpose, although you also envision your purpose by always keeping your purpose in view. A great example of purpose is the Emmanuel, whose core purpose was to purchase salvation for mankind through crucifixion.
With this clear purpose came the vision to appoint men to assist him and continue with the purpose afterwards. His vision on this definite aim was never blurred. His vision was so clear and compelling that He saw the end of everything. He even also talked about His return.
Based on this purpose-influenced vision, He picked men, all of whom had their purposes, too. On this mission He was focused, and nothing shifted His focus at any time. All resources at His disposal were directed to and invested in it.
Vision precedes or comes before focus. While the purpose of a man like William Henry Gates III is probably to make the world a better place, he had the vision to set up Microsoft and led the pace for information technology in this age. He made a success of that vision because he was so focused that he never had time for anything else.
His vision in this area was so compelling that he felt college education in Harvard would be a hindrance. He was not distracted. He slept in the office some of his early days making sure that the vision became a reality. He exhibited focus.
Now, he is focused on some other ventures post-Microsoft with his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is the kind of synergy we have when definite chief aim crystallizes into vision and focus is not wanting because of clarity and suretyship.
When you are focused on the right vision, you are not carried away by the actions of what others are doing. Do you go on social media and see what others are doing, then you become heartbroken? That means you are distracted and disturbed. You do need emotional management and support. Something must be wrong with your focus quotient because your vision does not convict and arrest you. You need a shift.
DISCIPLINE
It is impossible to accomplish anything worthwhile in life without the quality and value of discipline. A lack of discipline leads to a lack of focus. A lack of discipline means an inability to overcome the limitations that hold one down and prevent one from beating through the clouds.
Discipline is the tenacity to wait. Men who achieved mastery did so because they were able to spend time in separation, walking away from distractions and walking into discovery and development of self. Discipline is the ability and persistence to lead oneself in the way of self-awareness through to the attainment of self-actualization.
The problems of life and immediate pleasures are "genuine" justifications for failure, because they actually cripple, but your future self will never forgive you for being incontinent. Self-discipline helps you to contain your negative emotions and unleash the positive ones at your goals. Self-discipline helps you not to live above your means.
CHOOSE YOUR CROWD
A person who knows where they are headed knows the character and personality type that would go with them there. They know the stuff of the persons that will be of support to them.
They attract these persons and they too have the qualities that would enable them collaborate with those persons in order to produce and manifest the objective that brought them together.
They know that coming together was not an accident. They know that coming together is for a purpose and the purpose is an established one in the mental quotient of all parties concerned.
Recently, I met someone online who offered to volunteer for my organization. Though I was happy, I was seeking specific talent that could perform specific roles. I profiled the person right there online and found that this person is not a right fit. You cannot have square pegs in round holes or vice-versa, however loyal they are.
Like in every endeavour in life, you must choose those you have to roll with. You have to attract the right people. You have to stay away from any clique that can't help or support your purpose or vision.
To be continued.
If you haven't already, click here to get your e-version of my book, ASCENTS AND DESCENTS.
