Part 2: Reputation in the Shadows

_{Last time we took a look at how character plays a significant role in our reputations.  Today, we want to go a step further and look at two other key components to gaining, and maintaining, a good reputation:} 

_{Consistency and Conversation}

_Consistency

_{“Good character is not formed in a week or a month.  It is created little by little, day by day.  Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.”  – Heraclitus}

_{Grand gestures done in the spotlight fade, but when others see the consistent, steady hand of your character in everything you do and say…that is truly enlightening, worthy of admiration, and even honor.} 

“In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.  Our characters are the result of our conduct.” – Aristotle

_{It is true that we reveal ourselves by our actions and our words – large AND small.}

_{How we are when the rocks fall reveals our true character.  How we treat EVERYONE and every thing, circumstance and situation reveals our true character.}

_{“You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them.” – Malcolm S. Forbes}

_{Here is the kicker – character has to be built for the sake of internal fulfillment and legacy, not for external gain.  Being of good character takes intentional effort and consistency – it is an individual effort, it is something that we each personally control for our lives.}

_{Reputation on the other hand, is partly out of our control.  It is the opinion of others combined with the circumstances and incidents that can play into the picture.  But if we show our true character consistently then we have put our best foot forward to gain a positive reputation.}

_{“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” – Benjamin Franklin}

_{Refining your character is a steady, long, continual process and takes years of intentional effort.  The weeks, months and years of self-awareness and evaluation will allow your character to shine through in times of trouble when character will be seen to all those around us.}

_{“Repetition makes reputation and reputation makes customers.” – Elizabeth Arden}

_{Pay attention to the small matters in life, the seemingly insignificant and trivial, for it is how you deal with the small things that reveal your true character and will determine how you will ultimately deal with the big things.}

_Conversation

_{“There is no advertisement as powerful as a positive reputation traveling fast.” – Brian Koslow}

<sub>Enough said…

Your reputation (good or bad) precedes you.  The power that holds is more valuable than money.  Reputation sometimes is instantaneous when you meet someone.  You have a few seconds to let your character shine through.  Then they WILL check you out, they will look at social media and have conversations with others to see what reputation precedes you.</sub>

_{“Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.” – Elmer G.Letterman}

<sub>So, ask yourself:

What are others actually saying about you to themselves AND other people they know?

The conversations others have about you, about your business, are where reputation, based on your character, come into play. 

While I am not saying you need to live your life concerned (and changing) based on other people’s opinions, it is important for you to know what your reputation is so you can determine if your actions are showing your true character or if there is an inaccurate representation of what your values are.</sub>

_{“Try not to become a person of success but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein}

_{Is there a GAP between your character and your reputation?}

_{“We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow}

<sub>Seeing ourselves through other’s eyes by knowing the reputation we have helps us to inform and educate ourselves about areas where our character needs work, or needs to shine through to cast a more favorable and long shadow.

It may be alarming if we find there are gaps, disconnections, and misconceptions between our character and reputation, but knowing what is out there in the world, the shadow we have cast, helps us to understand. 

It allows us the opportunity to improve, adapt or change our actions, so that we can ultimately align who we are at our core with how others see us.

Socrates urged his followers, and us, to “know thyself”.  This is one of the driving forces of philosophy, religion and psychology.  While it is extremely important to truly ‘know thyself’ it is also just as important to portray yourself accurately to others.

Be true to yourself – don’t compete with others by their rules and their ways.  Be secure in YOUR character and do things the way you want to be remembered. Use your own unique skills and values so you can be YOUR personal best.

Coming into being who you REALLY are, who you want to be, takes continuous self-awareness and self-reflection – one of the hardest things we will ever do in this life.</sub>