WHAT IT MEANS

Your identity goes far beyond your name and appearance. It involves your values, beliefs, and character. Really, your identity is everything that makes you, you​—both inside and out.

WHY IT MATTERS

When you have a strong sense of identity, you stand up for your beliefs instead of allowing your peers to control you.

“A lot of people are like the mannequins you see in a store display. They don’t choose the clothes they wear; others do.”​—Adrian.

“I’ve learned how to stand up for what is right even when it’s hard. I can tell who my real friends are by how they act and by how I act around them.”​—Courtney.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over.”​—Romans 12:2.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Develop a sense of who you are now and who you want to become by analyzing your strengths, your weaknesses, and your convictions. A good way to start is to answer the following questions.

Strengths: What talents and skills do I have? What are my strong points? (For example: Am I punctual? self-controlled? hardworking? generous?) What positive things do I do?

TIP: Are you having trouble identifying positive things about yourself? Ask a parent or a trusted friend what strengths he or she sees in you and why.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.”​—Galatians 6:4.

Weaknesses: What aspects of my personality need the most work? When am I especially susceptible to temptation? In what areas could I exercise greater self-control?

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “If we make the statement, ‘We have no sin,’ we are misleading ourselves.”​—1 John 1:8.

Convictions: What moral code do I follow, and why? Do I believe in God? What evidence has convinced me of his existence? What actions do I consider to be unjust, and why? What convictions do I hold about the future?

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Thinking ability will keep watch over you, and discernment will safeguard you.”​—Proverbs 2:11.

WHAT IT MEANS

Trustworthy people earn the confidence of their parents, friends, and employers. They abide by the rules, keep their promises, and always tell the truth.

WHY IT MATTERS

In almost every case, the amount of freedom you receive is directly related to the level of trust you have earned over time.

“The best way to earn your parents’ trust is to demonstrate that you are mature and responsible, not only when you are with them but also when they are not around.”​—Sarahi.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Keep proving what you yourselves are.”​—2 Corinthians 13:5.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Whether you want to earn more trust or regain lost trust, the following steps can help.

Be honest. Nothing will shatter others’ trust in you quicker than lies. Conversely, when you are open and honest​—especially about your mistakes—​you can earn the trust of others.

“It’s easy to be honest when things are going well. But being honest about things that cast you in a bad light goes a long way in building trust.”​—Caiman.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”​—Hebrews 13:18.

Be dependable. In one U.S. survey, 78 percent of human-resource professionals indicated that reliability was “one of the three most important skills for entry-level positions.” Learning to be dependable now will benefit you as an adult.

“My parents notice when I’m responsible and do my chores without their having to nag me. The more I show initiative like that, the more they reward it with their trust.”​—Sarah.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “I am confident that you will comply, . . . knowing that you will do even more than what I say.”​—Philemon 21.

Be patient. Unlike physical growth, which is readily apparent to others, time is often needed for others to recognize emotional and mental growth.

“There’s no single act that can earn the trust of your parents and others. But you can build it gradually if you’re consistently responsible over time.”​—Brandon.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Clothe yourselves with . . . patience.”​—Colossians 3:12.

WHAT IT MEANS

Industrious people do not shy away from work. Rather, they enjoy working hard to provide for their personal needs and to help others​—even if the work they do is not glamorous.

WHY IT MATTERS

Like it or not, life is full of responsibilities. In a world where many dislike the idea of working hard, being industrious puts you at an advantage.​—Ecclesiastes 3:13.

“I’ve learned that when you work hard, you get a sense of pride and inner satisfaction. That feeling of inner satisfaction has actually caused me to learn to like work. Having a strong work ethic will help you build a good reputation too.”​—Reyon.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “There is benefit in every kind of hard work.”​—Proverbs 14:23.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Cultivate a positive view of work by following the steps outlined here.

Take pride in learning to do things well. Whether you are doing chores, finishing your assigned homework, or engaging in secular work, immerse yourself in what you are doing. Once you can perform a task well, look for ways to improve​—doing it faster or better. The more skillful you are, the more you will enjoy your work.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Have you seen a man skillful at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common men.”​—Proverbs 22:29.

See the bigger picture. In almost every case, when you care for your responsibilities well, you benefit others. For example, when you are industrious about your chores, you lighten the load for others in your family.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”​—Acts 20:35.

Go the extra mile. Instead of doing just the bare minimum, try to do more than you are required to do. In this way, you are in control of your life​—doing more, not because you are forced to, but because you choose to.​—Matthew 5:41.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Your good deed may be done, not under compulsion, but of your own free will.”​—Philemon 14.

Be balanced. Industrious people are not lazy, nor are they workaholics. They aim for balance, finding enjoyment both in hard work and in periods of rest.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind.”​—Ecclesiastes 4:6.

WHAT IT MEANS

A goal is more than just a dream​—something you wish would happen. Real goals involve planning, flexibility, and good, old-fashioned hard work.

Goals can be short-range (taking days or weeks to accomplish), medium-range (months), and long-range (a year or more). Long-range goals can be reached through a series of intermediate goals.

WHY IT MATTERS

Reaching goals can boost your confidence, strengthen your friendships, and increase your happiness.

Self-confidence: When you set small goals and reach them, you gain the confidence to take on bigger ones. You also feel more confident when facing day-to-day challenges​—such as standing up to peer pressure.

Friendships: People enjoy being around those who are reasonably goal-oriented​—that is, those who know what they want and are willing to work for it. Moreover, one of the best ways to strengthen a friendship is to work with another person toward a common goal.

Happiness: When you set and reach goals, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

“I love having goals. They keep me occupied and give me something to keep reaching for. And when you reach a goal, it feels great to look back and say, ‘Wow, I really did it! I accomplished what I set out to do.’”​—Christopher.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.”​—Ecclesiastes 11:4, Today’s English Version.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Take these steps to set and reach your goals.

Identify. Make a list of potential goals, and prioritize them​—choosing the ones you want to work on first, second, third, and so forth.

Plan. For each goal, do the following:

• Set a realistic deadline.

• Plan the steps involved.

• Anticipate obstacles, and think of how to overcome them.

Act. Do not wait until you have every detail worked out to get started. Ask yourself, ‘What is the very first thing I can do toward reaching my goal?’ Then do it. Track your progress as you complete each step.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “The plans of the diligent surely lead to success.”​—Proverbs 21:5.