Alertness
“Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses.”
Action Steps:
- Keep my eyes and ears open
- Recognize and heed warning signals
- Choose to do right before I am tempted
- Tell others of danger
- Stay away from unsafe places
Attentiveness
“Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration.”
Action Steps:
- Look at people when they speak to me
- Ask questions if I don’t understand
- Sit or stand upright
- Not draw attention to myself
- Keep my eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouth from distractions
Availability
“Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.”
Action Steps:
- Put others ahead of myself
- Find a way to help, not a way to hide
- Be ready when I’m called
- Be glad for the chance to serve
- Check with the right person before I make commitments
Benevolence
“Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward.”
Action Steps:
- See the needs of others as quickly as I see my own
- Give freely without expecting anything in return
- Not hoard things for myself
- Not profit from the misfortunes of others
- Give more as I get more
Boldness
“Confidence that what I have to say or do is true, right and just.”
Action Steps:
- Not be afraid to speak the truth
- Keep a clear conscience
- Support others when they are right
- Be willing to stand alone
- Speak with humility
Cautiousness
“Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.”
Action Steps:
- Think before I act
- Follow safety rules
- Ask permission
- Talk at the right time
- Look out for danger
Compassion
“Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.”
Action Steps:
- Stop to help
- Listen when others want to talk
- Give of my resources to help those in need
- Look for lasting solutions
- Comfort others without regard to race, gender, faith, age, or nationality
Contentment
“Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions.”
Action Steps:
- Be thankful for what I do have
- Not complain about what I don’t have
- Not always ask for “one more”
- Value people above things
- Want less and give more
Creativity
“Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.”
Action Steps:
- Use my talents for good
- See things from more than one perspective
- Use principles to solve problems
- Learn all I can
- Look for new ways to be a person of character
Decisiveness
“The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions.”
Action Steps:
- Not look back
- Do what I say
- Make the right decision and stick to it
- Look at things from more than one point of view before making up my mind
- Not give in to peer pressure
Deference
“Limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me.”
Action Steps:
- Notice those around me
- Respect the feelings of others
- Not use offensive language
- Not play loud music in public
- Be careful how I dress
Dependability
“Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice.”
Action Steps:
- Keep my word
- Be careful what I promise
- Correct my mistakes
- Pull my share of the load
- Not have a bad attitude
Determination
“Purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition.”
Action Steps:
- Set goals
- Make sure my goals are right
- Ignore distractions
- Not be discouraged by others
- Face problems head-on
Diligence
“Investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me.”
Action Steps:
- Finish my projects
- Do a job right
- Follow instructions
- Concentrate on my work
- Not be lazy
Discernment
“Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen.”
Action Steps:
- Ask questions
- Not judge hastily
- Learn from experience
- Not repeat mistakes
- Trace problems to their causes
Discretion
“Recognizing and avoiding words, actions and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences.”
Action Steps:
- Choose my words carefully
- Practice good manners
- Listen to criticism
- Not make fun of others
- Turn down any invitation to do wrong
Endurance
“The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best.”
Action Steps:
- Not be a “quitter”
- Accept both instruction and correction
- Not waste my time, energy and talent on meaningless pursuits
- Bend instead of break
- Put my whole heart into everything I do
Enthusiasm
“Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort.”
Action Steps:
- Be an energy-giver to others
- Smile
- Treat every job as important
- Put my whole heart into what I do
- Not be discouraged by failure
Faith
“Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how.”
Action Steps:
- Expect the best
- Make right choices based on principles of character rather than whims of circumstance
- Believe the truth and reject a lie
- Not take things for granted
- Trust those who have proven character
Flexibility
“Willingness to change plans or ideas according to the direction of my authorities.”
Action Steps:
- Not get upset when plans change
- Respect the decisions of my authorities
- Not be stubborn
- Look for good in changes
- Not compromise what is right
Forgiveness
“Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge.”
Action Steps:
- Be quick to forgive
- Not cover up my own wrongs but will be quick to ask forgiveness
- Not seek revenge
- Respond kindly to those who hurt me
- Not take up offenses for others
Generosity
“Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need.”
Action Steps:
- Share what I have with others
- Recycle
- Not expect anything in return for my generosity
- Give of my time and talents
- Praise the good I see in others
Gentleness
“Showing consideration and personal concern for others.”
Action Steps:
- Show good manners
- Reject violence as a solution to my problems
- Look for ways to ease the pain of others
- Not annoy or irritate others
- Be a peacemaker
Gratefulness
“Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life.”
Action Steps:
- Show my parents and teachers that I appreciate them
- Write “thank you” notes
- Take care of my things
- Be content with what I have
- Count my benefits rather than my burdens
Honor
“Respecting those in leadership because of the higher authorities they represent.”
Action Steps:
- Be attentive to those who lead me
- Show loyalty to my authorities
- Speak only the truth
- Obey cheerfully
- Give place to those who are older or hold positions of prominence
Hospitality
“Cheerfully sharing food, shelter or conversation to benefit others.”
Action Steps:
- Welcome visitors
- Make others feel important
- Prepare for guests
- Gladly share my things
- Not expect anything in return
Humility
“Acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in my life.”
Action Steps:
- Praise my parents, teachers, teammates and coaches
- Not think more highly of myself than I ought to
- Take responsibility for all my actions
- Try again after each defeat
- Give credit to those who have made me successful
Initiative
“Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it.”
Action Steps:
- Do what is right before being told
- Not put off until tomorrow the things I can do today
- Contribute to the success of the whole team
- Be a part of the solution rather than the problem
- Look for ways to help others
Joyfulness
“Maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions.”
Action Steps:
- Look for good in all things
- Smile at adversity
- Not give in to discouragement
- Not allow my emotions to rule my mind
- Take time out of every day to laugh and to sing
Justice
“Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right and true.”
Action Steps:
- Respect the authority of the law
- Speak out for what is pure, right and true
- Never prejudice others
- Always remain open to reason
- Keep my own conscience clean
Loyalty
“Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve.”
Action Steps:
- Serve my family and teachers
- Encourage others in hard times
- Not mock authorities
- Point out the good in others
- Honor my country
Meekness
“Yielding my personal rights and expectations, with a desire to serve.”
Action Steps:
- Be slow to get angry
- Not boast
- Not grumble or complain
- Look for ways to help those in need
- Be willing to go last
Obedience
“Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the wise direction of those who are responsible for me.”
Action Steps:
- Obey my authorities immediately
- Have a cheerful attitude
- Complete all that I am expected to do
- Not complain
- Go the “extra mile”
Orderliness
“Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency.”
Action Steps:
- Pick up after myself
- Keep my work and play areas clean and neat
- Put things back where they belong
- Use things only for their intended purpose
- Return lost things to their rightful owners
Patience
“Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it.”
Action Steps:
- Change the things I can change and accept the things I can’t
- Keep trying until I succeed
- Make the most of my spare time
- Not interrupt
- Not complain if I don’t get my way
Persuasiveness
“Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks.”
Action Steps:
- Point others in the right direction
- Not stretch the truth to make it more attractive
- Appeal to a person’s conscience in terms of character
- Wait for the best time
- Not argue
Punctuality
“Showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time.”
Action Steps:
- Be at the right place at the right time
- Prepare for unexpected delays
- Do my work ahead of time
- Plan a daily schedule and keep it
- Not fall into the trap of “just one more”
Resourcefulness
“Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard.”
Action Steps:
- See values in objects, ideas, and people
- Repair, reuse, and recycle
- Make wise use of my time, talents, energy, and mind
- Give away or sell the things I do not use
- Not litter
Responsibility
“Knowing and doing what is expected of me.”
Action Steps:
- Keep my promises
- Not make excuses
- Do all my work to the best of my ability
- Make things right when I do wrong
- Know my duty and do my duty
Security
“Structuring my life around that which cannot be taken away or destroyed.”
Action Steps:
- Not worry or fret
- Look to my authorities for protection
- Correct unsafe conditions
- Find peace of mind in a clear conscience rather than personal comfort
- Not meddle in the concerns of others
Self-Control
“Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right.”
Action Steps:
- Not act impulsively
- Not equate desires with rights
- Set my own limits
- See my anger as a sign that something is wrong in me
- Walk away from things that aren’t right
Sensitivity
“Perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of those around me.”
Action Steps:
- Listen to others fully
- Watch facial expressions
- Notice tone of voice
- Put myself in others’ shoes
- Show that I care
Sincerity
“Eagerness to do what is right, with transparent motives.”
Action Steps:
- Be all that I can be
- Take responsibility for my own actions
- Respect others’ opinions
- Always mean what I say
- Not take advantage of other people
Thoroughness
“Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words, if neglected.”
Action Steps:
- Plan my work
- Pay attention to details
- Make a list so I don’t forget
- Finish what I start
- Clean up before I quit
Thriftiness
“Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary.”
Action Steps:
- Save more and spend less
- Make good use of what I already have
- Look for the best value
- Budget my money, time, and energy
- Not confuse what I need with what I want
Tolerance
“Realizing that everyone is at varying levels of character development.”
Action Steps:
- Not confuse what is right with what is popular
- Expect the same of myself as I expect others
- Look for ways to help others mature
- Accept my own unchangeables and the unchangeables of others
- Listen before I form an opinion
Truthfulness
“Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts.”
Action Steps:
- Tell the truth
- Encourage others to be truthful
- Not cheat or steal
- Admit when I am wrong
- Not exaggerate to make things seem different from what they are
Virtue
“The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right.”
Action Steps:
- Do what is right and encourage others to do the same
- Guard my eyes, ears, words, and thoughts
- Learn to stand alone
- Abstain from anything which might damage or pollute my mind or body
- Treat others as I would want them to treat me
Wisdom
“Making practical applications of truth in daily decisions.”
Action Steps:
- Listen to my parents and teachers
- Learn from correction
- Choose my friends carefully
- Remember there are consequences to all my actions. Ask, “What is the right thing to do?”