What Is The One Thing Standing Between Success & Failure?

In life and in business, there is one ultimate factor that will determine whether you will be a success, or whether you will be a failure...

 

For some people, it’s the education you had.

 

For others, it’s the family life that you were brought up in.

 

And then there’s people who think it’s that they were born male or female or black or white or purple.

 

The facts are, none of that really matters when it comes to your success as an individual.

 

The only thing, the single most determining factor that will either make or break you as a person and as an entrepreneur starting or growing their business… the one thing, is your character.

 

Your character is truly everything to a business owner.

 

Your character is what defines who you are as an individual.

 

When I think of character, I think of my favorite President.

 

“In temper he was Earnest, yet controlled; frank, yet sufficiently guarded; patient, yet energetic; forgiving, yet just to himself; generous, yet firm.”

 

This quote was one of many that were written about the character of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

 

Lincoln was a role model for character, integrity, and honesty; traits that never left him throughout the trials and tribulations of leading our country during one of the worst periods in its history.

 

The word “character”, of course, was once one of the most highly regarded words in the English language; used to describe those of a highly-regarded quality, it was once so important to society that it was even promoted as an essential component of one’s identity.

 

Fast forward to today, and we know this word to be a rarity amongst men. The emphasis transitioned from a focus on virtue and character to a focus on self and material possessions.

 

Character development isn’t as popular as developing the zero’s in your bank account, but it is one of the most satisfying, emotionally intelligent endeavors you will ever undertake.

 

Good character consists of defining your values and integrity based on time-tested principles and self-reflection and having the courage to live your life accordingly.

 

Just take a second and think about qualities that people of the highest character have, and then ask yourself if this trait defines you, or if it is something that could use some work...

 

 

People who have integrity have strong moral principles and core values. They follow their life with these values, whether people are watching or not.

 

Are you able to persevere through the rough times instead of giving up?

 

Are you humble enough to come down from the mountain once you’ve reached a certain peak in your life or business?

 

 

Not just in that you are simply telling the truth, but you are living the truth; being straightforward and trustworthy in all of your interactions, relationships, and thoughts.

 

 

Or do you have a tendency to show loyalty to those who offer you the most money, instead of the guy who offers you a generous amount of money and probably has higher moral values?

 

Or are you shrewd and cruel, and have a tendency to show outbursts and periods of anger towards others?

 

Through good habits and willpower, are you able to overcome your desires or feelings in order to follow the best course of action or to rise to your commitments or principles?

 

Do you have such a strong sense of self-control that your are able to reach your goals and dreams?

 

Or are you going to stay in bed until 11:00 each day, or stay out drinking with your buddies until 2 o’clock in the morning several nights a week because “it’s what everyone else is doing”?

 

That is how you get nowhere.

 

Look, developing high-character traits can be extremely difficult, and it is... it is really difficult stuff. Not only to develop them, but to stay consistent and committed to them, as well.

 

The ability to contort your character and be as self-disciplined as possible - in life and in business - is at the core of our Business Character Development programs here at TZERO.

 

 

To character,

Tyler