How To Be A Better Person

“Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – Coach John Wooden

What a classic inspirational quote! If you want to become a better person, focus on your character more than your reputation.

Don't misunderstand. A good reputation is important. It's just secondary to your character.

Character vs. Reputation

The reason?

• Your character is who you are on the inside. Your reputation is who others see on the outside.
• Your character is who you are when no one is looking. Your reputation is who others see when they are looking.
• Your character is who you are when facing a crisis. Your reputation is who others see when facing a crisis.

Obviously, more thoughts could be shared, but you've likely already caught the message. Character is WHO YOU ARE. Reputation is WHO OTHERS SEE. Both are important, but character is primary. In fact, your character is what builds your reputation over the long term. Short term, you can fake a reputation. But long term, who you are at the core of your being will be revealed. This means long term, even your reputation (i.e. who others see) will be shaped by your character (i.e. who you are) because you can't fake character.

If you are truly interested in how to be a better person, then “be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

Photography Copyright: 123 RF Photos / Fizkes

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Want More?

“Success” is a word that is thrown around quite a bit. Is real success making it to the top, earning a bunch of money, becoming famous, winning awards, or something else?

Success can include all the things listed above and more, but one major ingredient to real success is making a positive difference in the lives of others. As my friend Joe Martin once said, “I want to do well for myself in my career and finances while doing good for others.”

That sounds like a winning strategy to me!

So how can you do well for yourself while making a positive difference in the lives of others? Check out this FREE RESOURCE for seven characteristics of people who make a difference.