Building Your Character

Keys to Character

• Fairness• Responsibility• Citizenship• Trustworthiness• Caring• Respectfulness

Keys to Character

Paying attention to these factors builds strong character, self-concept, and self-esteem.

Self-Concept

Also known as self-image

The mental picture you have of who you are, and the way you think others see you

Shaped and influenced by comments about you from family, friends, other people in your life, and even yourself

Positive comments are more likely to lead to a positive self-concept, while negative comments are more likely to lead to a negative self-concept

Self-Esteem

The confidence you feel about yourself

A positive self-concept is related to high self-esteem

High self-esteem means feeling good about yourself, believing you can be successful, and having the confidence to try new things

When do you feel most confident about yourself?

Avoid Comparisons

Comparing yourself to others does not help you succeed in school or in life.

Each of you has unique strengths, special qualities, and things you do well!

Concentrate on doing your best without comparing yourself to friends, siblings, or peers.

Building Confidenceand Boosting Self-Esteem

1. Maintain a positive and realistic outlook

2. Talk positively to yourself – “I can do this”

3. Focus on your strengths – concentrate on what you do well

4. Seek support – spend time with positive and supportive people

5. Address weaknesses – life is about making mistakes and learning from them

Learning Activity: Achievement Timelineand Autobiography

Part 1: Create a timeline displaying past achievements that have helped you to build confidence and boost your self-esteem.

• New job?• Made the team?• Helped a friend in need?• Honor roll?• Made a good decision?

2005, 2006Graduated

College!

Babysat for 3 days w/o pay!August, 2010

July, 2010Ran my first 5K!

Learning Activity: Achievement Timeline

and AutobiographyPart 2: Write a short autobiography

that describes at least 3 of the events on your timeline.

Guiding Question:How did each of those events give you

a sense of pride and help to build your confidence?