Character Building
Character - The intentions and actions that benefit both the individual and others
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Embedded Files
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Believing you can improve your abilities
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”
—Louisa May Alcott
Grit
Grit
Passion and perseverance for long-term goals
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No Matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
—Samuel Beckett
Social Intelligence
Social Intelligence
The ability to connect with other people
“Human beings are social creatures….[S]imply to exist as a normal human being requires interaction with other people.”
—Atul Gawande
Click here for Social Intelligence resources on Character Lab
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
Understanding your feelings and using them wisely
“We have to make it cool to feel again.”
—Lady Gaga
Click here for Emotional Intelligence resources on Character Lab
Kindness
Kindness
Actions or speech intended to help others
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
—Dalai Lama
Gratitude
Gratitude
Appreciating what you’ve been given
“Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!”
—Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical
Self-Control
Self-Control
Doing what’s best in the long-run despite short-term temptations
“The most important scientific discovery about self-control is that it can be taught.”
—Walter Mischel
Proactivity
Proactivity
Taking initiative
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
—Margaret Mead
Honesty
Honesty
Telling, and not hiding, the truth
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
—Margaret Mead
Purpose
Purpose
Commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the world
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
—Helen Keller
Intellectual Humility
Intellectual Humility
Recognizing the limitations of your knowledge
“When we set out upon the search for truth we should not assume that we already know for certain what truth is…”
—Mary McLeod Bethune
Click here for Intellectual Humility resources on Character Lab
Curiosity
Curiosity
Wanting to know more
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
—Albert Einstein
Creativity
Creativity
Thinking of novel solutions
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
—Maya Angelou
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