The following traits, phrased in the form of affirmations, are synthesized from dozens of lists of success habits, from the Fruit of the Spirit to the Boy Scout Code. Think of creative ways you can emphasize or build one trait into your child’s life each day or week. If you opt for the weekly plan, note the growth that has occurred in the course of the previous six months and celebrate.

I am (a):

Achiever - I plan, start and reach the finish line in time to complete tasks and goals worthy of my potential.

Brave - I face consequences, danger, fear or pain with unflinching confidence and courage.

Compassionate - I am sensitive to understand the view-points and feelings of others, what they want and need, and then gently take appropriate action according to the golden rule. I walk a block in their moccasins.

Disciplined Disciple - I make the daily decision to deny myself for the service of God and the eternal glory of Christ.

Enthusiastically Optimistic - I creatively seek out the possibilities of opportunity and wholeheartedly pursue my goals with well-founded faith, unwavering hope and perspective (even when surrounded by a herd of negatoids whining, complaining and singing the gloomy rain’n  Monday morn’n, lost my wallet, ripped my pants, tried that, never tried that, can’t be done blues).

Friendly - I practice the skills and activities of cultivating real, enduring, loving, accountable,  transparent relationships (especially communication).

Godly - I am continually learning and reprogramming my robot to do all that God has revealed (in the Bible) He requires of me.

Honest - I tactfully and transparently speak and live according to the truth, even when it hurts or is humiliating. What you see...

Initiating - I take the bull by the horns whether it’s sleeping or charging at me, aware of the consequences, with a goal in view.

Joyful - I consistently rejoice in the knowledge that I have chosen what is ultimately best, even when the alligators are nibbling my ears.

Knowledgeable - I gather and act out of an ever-growing base of accurate, useful information, as a generalist and specialist.

Loyal Lover - Without cowardice, I am committed to consistently sacrifice myself to do what’s in another’s best interest regardless of cost, personal preference, inclination or their reaction or lack thereof.

Mentor - I seek to live an other-centered, modelable inimitable lifestyle, investing in others, generously passing on the truths and lessons God’s taught me, according to their needs and (stimulated) interests.

No - I say “NO” to temptation and peer pressure that leads away from my objectives the path of life. I’m not afraid to be different.

Objective Driven - I make my plans and decisions according to a vision of the perfect purpose and will of God, not my transitory feelings, and habitually order my actions to achieve my goals and reach my objectives.

Persevering - I never quit in doing what is best, but patiently and creatively problem solve for the prize. I never give up.

Questioning - I respectfully and curiously inquire into both the” what” and “why” of my world and the people in it.

Responsible - I am worthy of trust because I am self-motivated to do what I’m supposed to, without blaming or excuses.

Servant - I exercise self-discipline to meet other’s needs while being a good steward of my time, treasure and talents.

Teamworker - I humbly maximize others’ potential in generating, communicating, sustaining and achieving commonality of purpose.

Uncommonly Sensible -  I manage my time 80/20, emphasizing what’s important, planning my work, then working my written plan, knowing what must be done precisely, approximately, thoroughly, substantially, partially, or not at all.

Virtuous - I consciously cultivate and strive for a character hallmarked by moral excellence, especially the four cardinal virtues: justice (righteous, fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor and standards), prudence (implies not only caution but also the capacity for judging in advance the probable results of one's actions), fortitude (strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage), and temperance (restraint or self-control of appetites and desires. “The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts”.- Charles Darwin .  “A little kingdom I possess, Where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find, Of governing it well.” - Louisa May Alcott.

Wise Worker - I equip and renew myself so I chose the right objectives and the right means of attaining those objectives in profitably and energetically serving the needs of others, until the job is done.

Xenophile - I extend to strangers the same concern and hospitality that I would like to be shown.

Yin-Yang - I maintain a balance between and within my work & leisure, relationships, personal growth, spiritual growth and ministry; protecting myself from burnout, resulting in energy, peace, and physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and financial health.

Zealous - I am enthusiastically and diligently devoted to the glory of God and loving service of others, even when I want a nap.