Commitment to Values Equals Character

Character is defined as a set of values without compromise. Miles Monroe said, “Character is a set of values that isn’t determined by us compromising based on the winds of change and so on and so forth.” I like this quote because it reminds me of transparency even at a cost—remaining committed to your value system. That’s what character is.

Your character, all of your character traits, including humility, investment, and resolve—these are what build up the character of who you are. If you stay committed to that value system, even when it might cost you, even when people might not like you, even when they might unfriend you on Facebook, you remain true to your cause, to your purpose, to your plan because you know it’s right.

And your value system lifts others. Any value system that is there to suppress, harm, or hurt someone else is not much of a value system. A value system and character—a good, quality, moral character—should lift others, help others, and drive industry forward in positive ways, not in negative.

As you’re going through this week, think about: What is my character? What are my committed values? And how do they measure against lifting others, helping others, caring for others—not being selfish or self-serving? It’s hard sometimes because we obviously care about ourselves. But if you care about yourself so much more than you care about others, then you might be doing things that are hurting others as opposed to lifting and helping them.

Something for you to think about this week as you move through. I just want to say remember to be valuable. Nothing less will do.

Christmas is coming, so we’re going to have some presents and some good eats. You’re going to start seeing, I think we’ve already seen, a few messages from Jimmy. So stay tuned. Bring your spouse and your kids. I know my boys love hanging out and doing the white elephant prize and so on and so forth.

As you’re getting ready for Christmas, our parties are going to be off the chain. Actually, I say “party,” but it’s not parties anymore. This year, we’re going to combine both Longview and Portland into one big party, and it’s going to be awesome.

We’re doing it in Vancouver. The team is really working hard, and that’s such a beautiful thing. I’m so excited to join together and have an awesome party that’s going to be catered. It’s going to be fabulous. So we’ll see you then.

See, look—it’s not even Halloween and I’m already talking about Christmas, probably because I was in a store and they already had Christmas stuff out, and my boys are already talking about presents and what they want for Christmas. Crazy.

Remember, your character is that set of committed values. Remain committed to your values. God bless you guys. Have a wonderful week.