How can one acquire good morals despite the difficulty of applying them after being influenced by reading about the morals and dealings of the Salaf?

Dreaming comes with deliberate effort, and knowledge comes with learning. Good character is acquired through practice, and this is achieved through several means:

Firstly: Continuously supplicating to Allah Almighty and seeking refuge in Him. It was part of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) supplication: "O Allah, just as You have perfected my physical form, perfect my character."

Secondly: Continuously striving against the self and compelling it towards good character until it becomes an ingrained habit.

Thirdly: Associating with the righteous who possess good character.

Fourthly: Continuously reading the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the biographies of the righteous predecessors.

Fifthly: Remembering the virtue of good character, and that it is a cause for entering Paradise and for people's love.