7 Questions to Ask Yourself to Keep Your Character In Check

In this day and age, it often feels like people are far more obsessed with their Facebook newsfeed lives than actually plugging in to what matters. With the rise of social media & sleazy dating apps, have we forgotten what makes a life worth living?

While these forces can be used for good, it’s vital to check in on your character more than you check in on Snapchat. After all, what really matters when it’s all said and done?

Below are 7 critical questions to make you reflect on your character in today’s world:

1. Do you help when nobody is watching?

Take a step back and put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a change. Remember how it feels to be the new guy? We’ve all been there in one way or another and it makes a world of difference to have someone extend a helping hand. You never know how much of a positive impact you could make on someone’s life by simply giving them the time of day. Those little things can actually change a person’s life.

“Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” – C.S. Lewis

2. Do you look for glory or seek to be a good person?

Most of us care what people think to a degree. After all, it pays to have people like you in the business world or in any world for that matter. Yet, if you’re constantly trying to look good for the higher ups, how does that really make you feel? Do you sleep better at night knowing that your words are merely skin-deep?

Ultimately, being a good person will always connect you to the right people in the end. And those people will have your back instead of turning on you later.

3. Are you obsessed with who you are?

On the road to success, it’s easy to become obsessed with your own self-image, forgetting what really matters. Yet, it’s not all about you. While you’re in the gym getting ripped and ready to take on the world, remember why you started. Maybe it was to help others with their confidence or to become a role model to the little guy. Hustle hard, but don’t make it all about you. You’re happiest when you make life about others.

4. Do you remember where you came from?

There are way too many grown adults that act like they’re still trying to sit at the cool table in the high school cafeteria. Why waste your life being that superficial? If we could stop trying to impress, we could actually have a real conversation about real things that matter. Don’t ever get too self-righteous to think you’re better than others. Embrace where you came from, because it’s way better to be real than to waste life trying to win over people that only care about all the wrong things.   

5. Do you believe in grit?

Nothing in this world can replace hard work. At times, it may feel like you’re spinning your wheels and nothing’s paying off, but true grit will ALWAYS get you through. Throughout your life, you won’t always love your work, but giving it 100% anyway says a lot about your character. Working hard in the little jobs now will push you to do more of the work you love and make you appreciate it later.  

6. Do you believe giving is what matters most?

If you make success only about yourself, you will ultimately end up being unfulfilled. If you look back on your life at the times you were most full of joy, it was likely when you focused on giving to others. Contrarily, during times of depression, you were likely nitpicking everything about yourself. The moral of the story here is that focusing outward will give your life far greater meaning.

“The secret to living is giving.” – Tony Robbins

7. Do you have faith in something greater?

Lastly, we must ask ourselves, did we make this life about something greater than just ourselves? Give this life everything you’ve got, but remember to make your mission about something bigger than yourself. Working towards something greater will give you that last leg of energy when you’re so close to giving up. Make your story about something beyond your own success and you will create a life worth living.

Which question do you think is most important to your character? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!