Personality Or Character?

The Idea

We can act with a focus on how to appear (personality) or on how to be (character).

In a world where social dynamics impact much of our reality, how we appear to those around us matters. Because of reputation-based career paths and the relevance of social status we naturally gravitate towards focusing on appearance.

Personality is a complex function of techniques, success, public image, attitudes, behaviors, skills. You aim to get social recognition for your talents and achievements.

Character is a simple function of basic principles. You aim at acting with integrity, in line with your deeply held values — regardless of circumstance.

“What you are shouts so loudly in my ears that I cannot hear what you say.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Go Deep

• 🎥  Watch this short explanation video on the concept of personality vs. character by Stephen Covey.

• 📝 A few more ideas about this concept can be found here.

Go Beyond

A few further resources you might like if you find above idea interesting:

• 📚  Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• 📚  Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled

• 📚  James P. Carse’s Finite & Infinite Games

• 🎙  Podcast: Philosophize This!

• 🀄️  Card Deck: Best Self Self-Discovery Decks

• 📝 MindVault: Maps Aren’t Territories

• 📝 MindVault: Happiness Isn’t Math

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