Most of us are judged on our character, and we do the same to others. But what is character? Is it personality or is it just your actions?
Generally speaking, your character refers to your values, traits, morals, and beliefs, and it’s what determines your attitude and actions in the world. There is a common belief that character is who you are when no one is watching because this truly shows what you believe and what you live by.
Mark Twain once said, “Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.” The astonishing part is where doing the right thing when no one is looking comes in.
This is a nice concept, but why would we do this? Does it really matter? How does it help us or the world if no one sees the good act anyway?
The truth is that people judge you by your actions when you think no one is looking. The measure of a person’s true character lies in their actions and how they treat others when they are not in the spotlight.
When nobody is watching, it is easy to let go of our ethical standards and do things that we wouldn’t do in public. This can range from cheating on an exam to eating your coworker’s leftovers even though you know they were probably going to eat them later on. Indulging in unethical behavior happens at work just as often as in our personal lives and it can be any action, big or small.
Check out: How to earn respect from people
We may think that it doesn’t matter if nobody knows about it, but in the long run, it will affect our reputation and who we are as a person. Do something wrong long enough and you’ll start to think it’s right. It’s like slow drops of poison that could soon kill any good around it.
Doing the truly right thing is not always easy, but it is crucial to maintain a good character. It means doing the right thing, even when it is inconvenient or difficult. It means acting with integrity, even when nobody is watching. Integrity is another word that gets thrown around a lot but deserves more merit. It is the quality of being honest and moral while having strong ethical principles.
Being a person of integrity means doing the right thing, even when it is not the popular choice. It means standing up for what you believe in, even when others disagree with you. It means living your life with honesty, respect, and compassion.
When you do this, not only are you being true to yourself and aligning with your purpose in life, but you are also gaining confidence, creating an honorable reputation, and meeting like-minded people who will help you on your journey. These are the benefits of doing the right thing. Not only do you create a positive impact on the world, but everything comes back to you in a positive way too. It’s kind of like karma but in a much larger picture.
On the flip side, not doing the right thing also has its negative consequences – most of which we would want to avoid. Even if nobody is watching us at the moment, our actions will eventually catch up with us. Things sometimes get out later on or your own behaviors give you away, opening the floodgates of negative consequences down the road. These could be destroyed relationships, a bad reputation that blocks you off from new relationships and opportunities, a negative outlook on life that attracts more bad than good, or even things like hurtful criminal or financial consequences. Doing the right thing may not always have immediate rewards, but it will create a foundation of trust, respect, and integrity that will serve you well in the future.
There are many examples of people who have chosen to do the right thing when nobody was watching. One example is a German businessman Oskar Schindler who lived during WWII. You may be familiar with the name from a famous movie called Schindler’s List. During World War II, Schindler used his factory to protect Jewish workers from the Nazi concentration camps. He risked his own life to save the lives of others, even though nobody was watching him. His actions saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews, and he is remembered today as a hero.
Another example is the civil rights activist Rosa Parks. In 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white person. She did it not for others, but for herself and to advocate for her rights as a human being. Her act of civil disobedience sparked a movement that led to the end of segregation in America. Parks’ actions inspired countless others to stand up for what they believed in, even when nobody was watching.
These examples show that doing the right thing can have a significant impact, even if nobody is watching. It takes courage and integrity to do what is right, even when it is not easy or popular. If you like this video and channel, for example, you could show support by giving this video a thumbs up. This would only be the right thing if you truly enjoy the channel, though, so just be true to yourself in what you decide.
Either way, the rewards of doing the right thing are immeasurable. It can bring us a sense of pride and self-respect, and it can earn us the respect and admiration of others.
Doing the right thing when nobody is watching can also be tough at times, but there are things we can do to make it easier. For example, we can promise ourselves to always act with integrity, even when nobody is watching. We can surround ourselves with people who share our values and beliefs, and who will support us in doing the right thing. They say you are the average of your five closest friends, so now may be a good time to reflect on who you’re letting into your life and to who you dedicate your precious time.
We can also be mindful of our thoughts and actions, and strive to be aware of our ethical standards at all times. This means being aware of our biases and prejudices and striving to be fair and just in all our dealings. There are tons of resources online that can help you expand your thinking and understand new or different perspectives. You don’t have to change who you are to uphold your character, but you should uphold your character while being aware of who it affects and how. Just because you believe something doesn’t mean you need to hurt others defending your beliefs.
Ultimately, doing the right thing when nobody is watching is about being true to ourselves and our values. It is about living our lives with integrity and purpose and trying our best to make a positive impact on the world around us.
If you have made mistakes before, you can start fresh today. It’s all about deciding you want to change and taking the right step. If you could use a boost, check out another video we made called You Are Enough. Regardless of your past, I know you have a bright future and that you truly are enough!
If you want to do the right thing even when no one is watching, start with something small. Be honest on that anonymous survey, return extra change or items you find to the cashier or employee, or help someone who needs it even if you don’t have to.
Doing the right thing when nobody is watching is a crucial part of building a strong and positive character. I know you are striving to have this character because you have made it to the end of this video, and I commend you for it.
It takes courage and integrity to do what is right, even when it is not easy or popular. You’ve already taken the right first step, so keep going! As always, thanks for watching, and know that I appreciate you and your positive actions. Let’s make the world a better place together.