***Character: The Blueprint for Success

Meeting the challenges problems present head on is a personality trait formed through habit. Some people develop the habit early in life, often through repetition to the point where the reaction is not even a conscious choice. Successful approaches to problem solving, though learned behaviors, are not necessarily the stuff of conscious thought. The learning may take place over a long period of time and is a function of environment--the sort of thing people have little control over early in life.nnAuthor David Elkind, in his book The Hurried Child, describes what he calls "The invulnerables"--children who cope successfully with unusual stress. He says they exhibit these qualities (among others):n

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• Social competence. Invulnerables seem at ease with peers and adults and make others at ease with them.n
• Independence. Invulnerables are independent and are not swayed by suggestion.n
• Achievement. Invulnerables are producers. Many are exceptionally original and creative.n
• Self-confidence. Such children have a sense of their own competence and ability to master stressful situations. Accordingly, they see problems as a challenge rather than as evidence of their incompetence.n

n"Invulnerable" children exhibit the fundamentals of happiness and success naturally. Though still developing, these children possess innate qualities that will lead them toward successful futures.nnIndividual consciousness is complex, and changing behavior patterns, even detrimental ones, is not an easy process. Still, understanding of what makes us tick, and developing a better way to approach other people and the world at large offers us a way to meet the challenge of dealing with the problems we face. The aim of professional and life coaching is to help you come up with solutions that hold you back from success.nn"Character is destiny," Heraclitus said, and few character traits are as directly tied to success than the ability to see problems as challenges. The solution-oriented person is usually someone who also shows flexibility, spontaneity, and resourcefulness. Solution-oriented people don't allow seemingly intractable situations to paralyze or demoralize. They focus finding solutions and moving forward.nnYou won't always arrive at the perfect solution for each and every problem that comes your way, but if you’re able to approach each problem as a challenge to be overcome, you're already half way to the solution.