The Top Ten Reasons to Live a Life of Integrity
| Category: Top 10 Tips | Date: 2003-10-23 |
You might think that its a no-brainer why one should live an honest life. But its apparent to me that a life of integrity is the exception rather than the rule. How many people do you know who are honest all the time?
We could make a case about the morality and the "rightness" of living honestly. Religious leaders have been advocating this for thousands of years. Its doubtful that even they could provide a true model of integrity.
I believe in the moral and ethical value of integrity but I also think there are very practical and worthwhile reasons for living an impeccable life. Here are ten:
1. Trust. In order to be successful in business or hold a responsible job, a person must have a reputation of honesty. Resources are not entrusted to people who have proven themselves as untrustworthy.
2. Good Health. I have no research to support this, but Id be willing to bet that people who tell the truth are healthier. They have less concern, less stress and feel better about themselves. This has to translate into better health.
3. Pride. Ive yet to meet a liar who has any real pride in themselves. Any good leadership training will stress the importance and value of having pride in what you do and who you are. If your reputation is grounded in deception, your opinion of yourself is poor indeed. Being honest just plain feels good.
4. Peace of Mind. If you cheat on your income taxes, you may get away with it, but youll probably always worry that youll get audited and face fines, extra charges and even jail as a result. Your reputation would also be tarnished. When you deal honestly, you have peace of mind. Its impossible to worry and be happy happy at the same time.
5. Remembering. Its been said that no one has a good enough memory to be a good liar. When you dont tell the truth, you have to INVENT it. When you do, youll often be asked to recall your rendition of the truth, and you may not be able to do so because you forgot what you said. You KNOW the truth, but you cant remember your version of it. Very embarrassing. Besides, its hard work to continually come up with false stories.
6. Good Sleep. If you lie unless you have no conscience at all youll often lose sleep because of your fears of being found out. Your worry and your guilt will keep you awake. A good nights sleep is one of lifes many pleasures and honest people sleep better.
7. Confidence. Many people have excellent "bull" detectors. They know at least at some level when youre being fake. If telling lies is your modus operandi, you know that these people will often see though your faзade. Theres no way to have real confidence in oneself when youre walking on "bull."
8. Good Relationships. Relationships are the jewels of our lives. Some would argue that relationships ARE our lives. And breeches in trust are the death knell of relationships. When trust is gone, there is no foundation upon which to build. Relationships lacking in trust seem hollow and shallow. They lack joy.
9. Legal Problems. We dont have to look very far to see the legal trouble people get themselves into from dishonesty. Lying in a court of law or to an officer of the law is literally AGAINST the law. Conversely, if you have no secrets, you can rest easy and its hard for anyone to blackmail you.
10. It Doesnt Work. All too often our deceptions and duplicity are discovered. In the information age in which we live, its even more likely that lies will sooner or later be seen for what they are. Dishonesty is just plain inefficient.
The right thing to do is seldom the easy thing to do. But its worth it.
About the author:
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best personally and professionally.
success@successnet.org
http://www.successnet.org
We could make a case about the morality and the "rightness" of living honestly. Religious leaders have been advocating this for thousands of years. Its doubtful that even they could provide a true model of integrity.
I believe in the moral and ethical value of integrity but I also think there are very practical and worthwhile reasons for living an impeccable life. Here are ten:
1. Trust. In order to be successful in business or hold a responsible job, a person must have a reputation of honesty. Resources are not entrusted to people who have proven themselves as untrustworthy.
2. Good Health. I have no research to support this, but Id be willing to bet that people who tell the truth are healthier. They have less concern, less stress and feel better about themselves. This has to translate into better health.
3. Pride. Ive yet to meet a liar who has any real pride in themselves. Any good leadership training will stress the importance and value of having pride in what you do and who you are. If your reputation is grounded in deception, your opinion of yourself is poor indeed. Being honest just plain feels good.
4. Peace of Mind. If you cheat on your income taxes, you may get away with it, but youll probably always worry that youll get audited and face fines, extra charges and even jail as a result. Your reputation would also be tarnished. When you deal honestly, you have peace of mind. Its impossible to worry and be happy happy at the same time.
5. Remembering. Its been said that no one has a good enough memory to be a good liar. When you dont tell the truth, you have to INVENT it. When you do, youll often be asked to recall your rendition of the truth, and you may not be able to do so because you forgot what you said. You KNOW the truth, but you cant remember your version of it. Very embarrassing. Besides, its hard work to continually come up with false stories.
6. Good Sleep. If you lie unless you have no conscience at all youll often lose sleep because of your fears of being found out. Your worry and your guilt will keep you awake. A good nights sleep is one of lifes many pleasures and honest people sleep better.
7. Confidence. Many people have excellent "bull" detectors. They know at least at some level when youre being fake. If telling lies is your modus operandi, you know that these people will often see though your faзade. Theres no way to have real confidence in oneself when youre walking on "bull."
8. Good Relationships. Relationships are the jewels of our lives. Some would argue that relationships ARE our lives. And breeches in trust are the death knell of relationships. When trust is gone, there is no foundation upon which to build. Relationships lacking in trust seem hollow and shallow. They lack joy.
9. Legal Problems. We dont have to look very far to see the legal trouble people get themselves into from dishonesty. Lying in a court of law or to an officer of the law is literally AGAINST the law. Conversely, if you have no secrets, you can rest easy and its hard for anyone to blackmail you.
10. It Doesnt Work. All too often our deceptions and duplicity are discovered. In the information age in which we live, its even more likely that lies will sooner or later be seen for what they are. Dishonesty is just plain inefficient.
The right thing to do is seldom the easy thing to do. But its worth it.
About the author:
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best personally and professionally.
success@successnet.org
http://www.successnet.org
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