|
Be Honest with Yourself To succeed, you need to use the truth. For example, you own an auto repair shop and give estimates to repair cars. Sometimes, you exaggerate a customer's problem so you can charge him more. This increases your income, but causes you problems. The customer senses your lie, no matter how sincere you act. When you are caught, the penalties are painful. On the other hand, if you understate the customer's auto repair problem, you are compromising what you know to be true. You actually prevent your customer from making good decisions. You feel like a wimp. You learn that the only way to behave is to look your customer in the eye, without hesitation, and tell the truth. The customer can then act accordingly. You do your job, even if you don't make as much money on that particular job, and even if the person doesn't like the truth. When you have the courage to call the truth the truth you become a powerful force. For example, your software adds numbers incorrectly. You call the software technician who looks it over. He says, "You are the problem; the software is fine." You know the truth and so you pull out a calculator and prove the computer's answer is wrong. You refuse to agree with the technician. No matter how smart the expert is, or how inexperienced you are with computers, you KNOW the figures do not add up. You have personal integrity. The same idea applies to all of your life. You know what is true for you, not what people tell you is true for you. No one can convince you what you should believe. Integrity Integrity means you are honest, complete and honorable. It means you hold to your personal code of conduct. You stick to what you decide is right and wrong. When you live with integrity, you succeed. You are open and honest. Your life is uncomplicated and less stressful. When you have good integrity you do not lie. You can look into your eyes in the mirror with pride. You have nothing to hide. Your Personal Truths "WHAT IS TRUE FOR YOU is what you have observed yourself "And when you lose that you have lost everything." "What is personal integrity? "Personal integrity is knowing what you know-- "What you know is what you know-- "And to have the courage to know and say what you have observed. "And that is integrity "And there is no other integrity." -- L. Ron Hubbard No one needs to tell you what is right or wrong. You can see and decide for yourself. For example, Doug may decide it is perfectly fine to drink wine with dinner. Wally may observe the same issue and decide it is wrong to drink wine. Both individuals made their own decisions. Both are operating with integrity. Mellissa may decide spending money on vacations is a crime while Penny may decide skipping a vacation is a crime. Both make their own decisions about what is right and wrong. Like most people, you have probably decided it is wrong to lie to a friend, steal from your company, cheat on your marriage, shoplift and abuse drugs. It's probably true for you that you should to work hard, be kind to your parents, pay your bills, tell the truth, return things you borrow and have fun in life. You know the truth when you see it. You stick to your guns despite what anyone says. You enjoy personal pride. 10 Benefits of Living with Integrity 1. When you decide what is right or wrong for you, and act accordingly, you do not regret anything you do. 2. People follow your example and act more honestly. 3. Your powers of observation are more accurate. You can see the truth about others more easily. 4. No need to keep your stories straight as your stories are facts. Less mental work is required. 5. You handle rejection and criticism more easily. For example, you are not bothered if someone says, "Your work is horrible!" As you have no doubt that your work is good, you know the other person has the problem. 6. You have fewer personality conflicts with others, even when you are aggressive. 7. You fight crimes against you with more ferocity when you have nothing to hide. 8. When you make a mistake, it is easier to find the truth, accept responsibility and move forward. 9. You earn a reputation as a person with integrity. For example, employees brag about honest bosses. "He might be more honest about your work than you might want to hear, but he's fair and doesn't lie." 10. Your odds of being sued, fined or convicted of a crime go way down. Copyright © 2007 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. For permission to copy, print or post this article, go to www.tipsforsuccess.org/reprint_info.htm or click here. To subscribe, buy books, contact us or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org, click here. |
