This blog post has been authored by Engracia Sleeswijk, ESleeswijk Consultancy

Uncertain times make people feel insecure. People feel unsure about which way to go. Different emotions like fear, manifestations of illness, and anger are manifestations of insecurity. The offense has proven to be the easiest way to express dissatisfaction. Not a strange occurrence: When you think that you have a mountain in front of you that you can’t move, you may feel unstable. At a time when professionals are going through uncertain times, it’s crucial to stay on track. When certainty is hard to find, it is a character that will give stability.

What is character? Your character determines your thoughts, your behavior, and how you respond to challenges. So it ultimately determines the quality of your life. A strong character does not mean that you are dominant. That is a tricky character. Unfortunately, those two are sometimes confused.

Character is built by norms and values that you may have received from the elderly and carers in your environment. Even if you were not so blessed to receive it in this way, you have “a voice” within you, your conscience, that tells you if you are doing well or not. Character is the most important of all virtues. But it takes courage, honesty, and authentic self. Only a strong character makes it possible to sleep at night with a clear conscience. It ensures that we always do what is right, not what is easy or what others want us to do. So a character is an exceptional mental attitude and the essence of our personality. It shows itself in challenging situations. The mountain is what it is. It has no growth potential: but you do.

Problems may make you perform out of character. Many people have opted for an agile character because of their desire for support. They change their character traits according to their environment. From this position, one can be experienced, reliable, or unreliable. This position is like falling into the water when you can’t swim. You will drown. This doesn’t mean that you are; it just means that you have to do some character-building. Tell the mountain to move!

In contrast to how we behave in times of crisis, there is a stable path to follow: the one in which we are ourselves or not. Although the effects of uncertainty about circumstances are apparent, there is no reason to behave outside of your character. Even in times of crisis, that is the only thing you will be judged on.

How do you build a character?

1. Be a good listener. This will cause you to perceive the other person’s character and give him credit if necessary.

2. Let your opinion be heard. Always bottling up your opinion or feelings is not healthy and will sooner or later cause an outburst.

3. Be patient. Patience is still a virtue. Despite we live in a world that is turning faster and faster. The technology is focused on getting things done as quickly as possible. But not everything changes over time. There are still things that require some patience. Exercise your patience daily so that you are less impatient.

“Knowledge gives you power, but character gives you respect” – Bruce Lee

Engracia Sleeswijk

I’ve been privileged to Teach, Coach and help thousands of professionals and entrepreneurs to get to their sweet spot in life. I do coaching in translating business models to everyday life for you to get your future within arms-length.

Helping others to further their life has been an energy source for me for the last 20 years. It would be an honor to be of service to you.