Modifying your behavior to blend in with the communal status quo is not enough. Deep down inside, we all know right from wrong. So when you deny your integrity, and when you don’t stand up for what you really feel and think, there are always consequences.
This is the major flaw in the self-help industry. You simply cannot be satisfied pursuing standards set by others if you are repressing your own instincts. On the surface, this sounds counter-intuitive, coming from a blog actually advocating a self-help regimen. What is important to understand is that we all make our own choices regardless, and we are responsible for our behavior and decisions.
If you are not prepared to master your sense of self (your core), no matter how innovative the technique, you will not succeed.
This is why, in many instances, my patients need to first understand the concepts of virtue and dignity, and be willing to apply these concepts to their life.
You would be surprised at how many struggle to simply define the word “virtue” or “dignity,” especially in contemporary contexts.
My advice is to start at the beginning, clarifying and then exploring the specific meanings of these constructs. It is after this exercise that real progress can be made. No longer are they chasing someone else’s standards, because they rediscover their aspirations towards virtue, and they create their own standard.
That is why I say my approach is driven by self-awareness, introspection, self-examination, and a fearless willingness to take inventory of your inner life.
Therefore, I want you to start by understanding morality. Spend a few moments digesting the meaning and make an attempt to reconcile the definition with your personal thought-process and decision-making. Morality, from the Latin, is manner, character, and proper behavior. Morality also refers to the rules of right conduct.
In the meantime, let us explore some of the variants of virtue.
UNDERSTANDING THE “VIRTUES”
From the Latin virtus and the Greek ἀρετή, virtue is the essence of moral excellence, manifested in all of its forms. Think of a virtue as quality or characteristic that is valued. Charity, creativity, compassion, justice, and wisdom are just some of the virtues (see below for a full list of the virtues).
To be virtuous is to seek excellence in yourself in everything that you do. It is quite telling that, in terms of definitions, the opposite of virtue is vice.
Examples of virtues include:
| Acceptance | Generosity | Love | Sensitivity |
| Bravery | Gentleness | Loyalty | Simplicity |
| Caution | Gratitude | Majesty | Sincerity |
| Curiosity | Honesty | Moderation | Sobriety |
| Defiance | Humbleness | Obedience | Spontaneity |
| Determination | Humor | Openness | Steadfastness |
| Devotion | Impartiality | Patience | Strength |
| Discretion | Industry | Peace | Toughness |
| Flexibility | Innocence | Prudence | Tranquility |
| Focus | Justice | Reliability | Trust |
| Forgiveness | Kindness | Responsibility | Trustworthiness |
As a financial professional you need to be focused, flexible, honest, just, loyal, patient, prudent, responsible, sincere, steadfast, strong, and trustworthy. A very talented FP once told me that he is a s loyal to his clients as they are to him. Genuine, sincere and authentic relationships are two way streets. If you honor yourself, you can honor others. This is an essential component of wall street psychology.
The components of virtue can only bolster your emotional as well as your professional life, and ultimately make you better at what you do as an FP in the markets.