I’m not sure why you’re dismissing building character as an explanation.
Perhaps because the character could be built just as well doing something else, equally difficult but more important? It’s not just a dilemma between doing a character-building thing and slacking off. It’s also why you chose this specific character-building thing instead of another.
It’s not just a choice between playing piano and watching TV, but also between playing piano and learning programming or building a startup. Character building answers only the first part of the question.
Perhaps because the character could be built just as well doing something else, equally difficult but more important? It’s not just a dilemma between doing a character-building thing and slacking off. It’s also why you chose this specific character-building thing instead of another.
It’s not just a choice between playing piano and watching TV, but also between playing piano and learning programming or building a startup. Character building answers only the first part of the question.
But only if you are aware of this option. Beside simply being unknown other tasks may look (or be rationalized to) to be out of your range.