After hearing a recent talk given by community builder Chris Mattis, I was spurred into thinking more about how character is an ongoing struggle.

Mattis is one of my favorite leadership and personal development speakers, and after I listen to one of his talks, I seem to find myself saying “frankly” and “eliminate it as an issue” a lot more often.  (Which is a good thing)  I had a chance to meet him lately and I could tell that his real life character matches up with what is on audio.

Mattis made a comment to the effect that character is like a muscle and is either going through growth or attrition.  And that not working on it and maintaining the same level is not on option.  A gradual negative slide is inevitable.

I find this to be very true in even small day to day life occurrences.  Unless I am consciously working on my character it is easy to tell little fibs, even out of convenience.  Sometimes it just seems easier to tell a little white lie then explain a complicated situation.

I believe that these little white lies lead to bigger ones, and a degradation of personal integrity.  Creating a habit of character is the only way to prevent the little ones from starting.  In order to “eliminate it as an issue” you have to work on character every day, and “frankly” it is a struggle.