Having been in the bottom three of League Two in November, Gillingham are now in play-off contention and Gowling thinks that is down to character.
He told BBC Radio Kent; "This year we're more resilient, more determined and organised - that's the difference."
Gowling continued: "We're confident. Obviously getting that first away win a long time ago started the ball rolling, and from then we just carried on and we're resilient.
"Last year maybe we lost games and we kind of folded a little bit, whereas this year we're a little more resilient and determined."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport