Giving and Earning Respect
Unlike surface achievements such as wealth or fame, true respect is earned through these qualities found beneath the surface
Positive character traits (such as talent, hard work, perseverance, honesty, or fairness)
Although no one shines in every single area, this fundamental rule applies to every individual
Everyone has personal strengths
The choices, lifestyle decisions, and daily priorities a person makes reflect these core principles
Personal values
According to the MyPlate guidelines, these two food groups combined should make up half of every meal
Fruits and Vegetables
As shown through court decisions and daily choices, the true root of personal power lies in the ability to do this
Make choices
When a person possesses self-respect, it naturally projects outward and expresses itself as this empowering quality
Self-confidence
The respect we have for ourselves and others ultimately emanates from these
Our strengths
Filmmaker George Lucas demonstrated his personal values by taking a 16-year break from his career to accomplish this
Raise his children as a single father
Physical exercise increases energy levels and stimulates the mind by increasing the flow of this to the brain
Oxygen
On the 1-to-10 rating scale evaluating grades, jobs, clothes, and dating, scoring above this total indicates you have a fair amount of personal power
20
Upright posture, good eye contact, laughter, and a lively tone of voice are physical signals sent out when someone displays this
Self-respect (or self-confidence)
During a Strengths Interview, if your partner insists they have no strengths, you should ask specific questions about these to uncover them
Their interests
This famous quote from William Shakespeare's Hamlet reminds us to stay true to our values even when facing peer pressure
To thine own self be true
To relax the mind and body and remain productive, students should aim for this amount of sleep each night
7-10 hours
Strength, intelligence, health, wealth, popularity, and the ability to communicate are all examples of the different forms this can take
Personal power
Being responsible, honest, and fair-minded benefit those around us, but throughout life, these character traits will frequently be put to this
A test
In the classroom Jeopardy activity, strengths listed by the greatest number of students earn this point value
The lowest point value (or 10 points)
This activity sheet uses five lists—people, activities, places, possessions, and rules—to help students identify what matters most to them
The Top 10 activity
The lesson defines this condition as tension or a feeling of pressure that occurs when you feel out of control
Stress
Ultimate responsibility for how personal power is used belongs strictly to this person
Yourself
While the respect of others is defined by their value systems, self-respect is defined entirely by this
A person's own value system
Writing down your special qualities and displaying them on a mirror or locker door helps you do this during difficult times
Persevere when experiencing challenges
Staying true to your own values is essential because self-respect depends on your own standards, whereas peer pressure relies on this
Someone else's value system
While you cannot always control stressful events in your life, you always have control over this
Your behavior
Personal power can be used to create positive change in your own life, your family, your school, and this broader group
Community