Be honest. Integrity is also about being honest. Communicate your feelings and thoughts respectfully and assertively. This means not being afraid to say how you feel. Use “I statements” such as, “I feel ____, when you ____. " For example, you might say, “I feel angry when you hurt other people. " Follow through. If you say you are going to do something, do it. Otherwise, don’t make false promises if you aren’t sure if you can follow through. Heroes are people that we can count on. They are dependable and consistent. Know your moral values. Identify your ethics and what you believe in to increase moral responsibility. [2] X Research source Write a list of your moral values. For example, you might believe in freedom, equality, justice, and free speech. Identify what you disagree with and write these down. For example, you might be against: murder, stealing, harming yourself, harming others, cheating, and violence.
Have the bravery and courage needed to face your fears instead of avoiding them. Choose personal growth over safety (the desire to feel comfortable). If you feel uncomfortable in a situation such as public speaking, all the more reason to cultivate this skill. Once your face your fear you may realize that it wasn’t so bad or scary after all. Remember that having courage is not about doing risky things and putting yourself in unsafe situations. Always put safety first.
Stop complaining and start living! When you find yourself getting down about the current situation, do something to get your mind off of it. Try taking a walk, taking deep breaths, or focusing on a task. Develop a positive mantra. [6] X Research source Heroes tend to have slogans or words to live by. Some examples of superhero slogans include, “I’m the best there is at what I do” (Wolverine) and “With great power comes great responsibility” (Spiderman).
Take personal responsibility for your part. Admit your mistakes and don’t blame your situation on others. Apologize when you need to. Identify solutions and learn from your mistakes. [7] X Research source Consider some situations in life (school, work, family) you think could have gone better. Next, play out these scenes as your hero. How would a hero have acted in the same situations? What would a hero have said or done? Instead of focusing too much on your flaws, pay attention to what you can improve upon. Look at these mistakes or weaknesses as areas of personal growth. [8] X Research source Tell yourself something like, “I am continually growing and developing. I am open to improving myself through new experiences. "
Think before you act. [9] X Research source Stop and take a breath if that helps you. Observe your thoughts and feelings. Practice coping resources that work for you. Some examples include: exercising, talking with a friend, writing in a journal, and meditating.
Start by identifying your core values. [10] X Research source What is important to you in life? Do you value family, friends, your job, the government? These values can help motivate you toward positive change. Focus on making a difference in each component of your life such as increasing your connection with your family and friends. Motivate yourself through positive affirmations. For example, when you are feeling unmotivated you can tell yourself or think, “I can do this. I am capable of achieving anything I put my mind to. I have done it before and I can do it again. I rock!” Another good way to motivate yourself is to give yourself rewards when you accomplish something. [11] X Research source Reward increase positive behaviors. You can give yourself candy, your favorite meal, or time to play a game. Make sure it is something you really want and can look forward to. Expect success. Those who expect to succeed and trust in their own abilities are more motivated to press on when things get tough. Think positive thoughts such as, “I know I can do this. It may be tough but I will keep going and focus on achieving my goal. It will be worth it in the end. "
For example, you may not be able to control how tall you are, but you can control how you think and feel about your height (positively). Turn these negatives into positives by focusing on how unique and special you are. Practice being your own hero. To begin with, simply consider the qualities of the hero you want to be and act some out in private. Get into the hero mindset by assuming a confident posture (shoulders back, stand up tall), and striding in a strong manner. Use visualization and your imagination. Visualization (like playing a video in your head), or guided imagery, can help people make positive changes including increasing positive mood and health, while decreasing stress. [15] X Research source [16] X Research source Close your eyes and envision yourself as the hero or person you wish to be. What does it feel like? What sounds do you hear? What surrounds you? What needed to happen for you to get there?
Make a list of goals you want to accomplish in 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Make sure you identify why you want to accomplish each goal. Ask yourself, “Who or what am I doing this for? How will it help?”[18] X Research source This helps create purpose and meaning in life, which enhances your motivation. You can create a specific plan and timeline for each goal. What do you need to focus on to achieve each goal? For example, perhaps you want to help others get on their feet when they are struggling and you are giving yourself 6 months to complete this goal; this would be your overarching goal. In order to complete this goal your first steps might be to: research organizations that help the needy, look for companies that are looking for volunteers or employees, call organizations to inquire about programs, prepare a resume, apply to positions that seem like a good fit, prepare for interviews, and interview at organizations.
Change things about yourself that you think reduce your ability to be your own hero. For example, your vision of a hero might be someone who is in top physical shape. If this is the case, try a powerful exercise such a martial arts (Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai Kickboxing). Make a list of personal self-improvement goals. Include things like: lose 10 lbs, exercise 3 times per week, eat healthy 5 days per week, read a book 3 days per week, meditate 3 times per week, and spend time in nature 1 time per week. Some additional positive characteristics to strive toward include: compassion, cooperation, ambition, dependability, competency, loyalty, and wisdom.
Using your problem-solving skills can help you persevere. [20] X Research source If there is an issue, or something is overwhelming, try to come up with a solution; it may be to take a break, or to reanalyze your goals or values. If you feel like quitting, remind yourself of your values, and your overarching goals this year. Remember that heroes never give up, they keep fighting until the end. You can tell yourself, “I will never give up. This is so difficult, but I know I can do this!”
Focus on building others up. Give compliments readily. Let others know you appreciate them for what they do. For example, if your friend helped you volunteer you could say, “I really appreciate that you volunteered at the homeless shelter with me. It shows that you are willing to help not only me, but others in the community. You also did a great job; I noticed how comforting and understanding you were. " Be positive when others are struggling. Tell them that you believe in them and you are willing to help if they need a hand. You could say something like, “I know you are having a hard time and it is understandable. I want you to know that I am here for you. I believe in you and I know you can get through this. " Provide direction and a listening hear for others if they seek it. However, avoid telling people what to do in their personal lives (relationships, etc. ) as this may backfire. Instead, ask them questions, be interested and validate of their feelings.
If you have the resources, you can donate goods, money, or services to organizations that help those in need. One option is to help the needy by volunteering at a local food bank or homeless shelter. When you see someone struggling, don’t ignore them, ask them about themselves and provide any support that you feel comfortable with.
Show others that you stand up for what you believe in. If someone is being mistreated, say something, do something, intervene. Just make sure you are safe and do not put yourself in risky situations.
Join a group of like-minded people. For example, if you are passionate about exercise and health you could join a fitness center, or get together a group of friends to join you on weekly hikes. Meetup. com is a website for forming groups of people with similar interest such as: rock-climbing, biking, beach-cleanup, parenting, helping the homeless, and volunteering.
