I Lost My Integrity on the way to Success – Does it Matter?
Do you have integrity? Do you only promise what you KNOW you can deliver and then surprise the recipient by over delivering again and again? This is quality that leads to enduring success in life – in business, in family, in intimate relationships, in friendships and in any purpose or activity with which you become involved.
Today I chose to share an email I received from Kim Allen at Heartmath. Integrity
“Have you noticed how the number of pundits has grown exponentially? Experts (often self-proclaimed) bombard the blogosphere and talk shows with their opinions on everything from the economy to what team will win the World Series.
In a world where everyone is competing for attention with tweets, instant messages and 30-second commercials, it’s easy to be tempted to overstate and exaggerate who we are and what we can do!
All this hyperbole reminds me about something my mentor told me back in the day when I first started out in sales: Do what you tell people you’re going to do and you’ll get a lot of business. “You’d be surprised,” he said, “how many people don’t!”
He was right. I built a loyal customer base by simply staying true to my word.
Enduring sales people know it’s much smarter to under-promise and over-deliver. Being the best doesn’t come from the hype. Rather, it’s borne out of the ability to offer genuine care and service and to satisfy, on a sustainable basis, those who come to trust and rely on who we are and what we do.
It takes inner strength to stay true to this principle. When we do, loyal clients will find us and come back for more. And this is as applicable in personal relationships as it is in the world of business. “
If you are struggling in any way with developing a sense of your own integrity or dealing with someone whose integrity leaves something to be desired, please contact me.
You can leave a comment below or reach me at DrErica@DrEricaWellness.com.
Follow my on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or my FB page, http://budurl.com/HealingThroughLove
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
October 15th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Hey Dr. Erica, you are so dead on with this post. I love the line “It takes inner strength to stay true to principle.” It’s the most important part of your whole business model. Without integrity you won’t have people who know you, like you and trust you, and that’s really the only reason people will deal with you in the first place.
Thanks for the great post and for all your great information. Always love visiting your blog, always good information.
Debbie Wood recently posted..Ebook Mechanics – How to Create Ebook Content 101
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Debbie,
Thanks for your supportive comments. I look forward to checking out your latest blog post since I am about to create a new series of ebooks for my new blog, http://www.HealthyBabyBoomersNetwork.com.
Erica
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October 15th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Erica,
Integrity is such an important aspect of living true to oneself. Without this, no one is able to trust you or value your opinion. I agree that this is sorely lacking in many avenues of business and life in general! Thank you for approaching this with such grace.
Val
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Val,
So many people – business people, lovers, mates, even friends, make promises that they either don’t intend to fulfill or later can’t fulfill, leaving disappointment, disillusion and blocked energy in their wake. Those who operate with integrity do not overpromise – but often overdeliver. Always a pleasure to read your comments.
Erica
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October 16th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Hey Dr. Erica, you are so dead on with this post. I love the line “It takes inner strength to stay true to principle.” It’s the most important part of your whole business model. Without integrity you won’t have people who know you, like you and trust you, and that’s really the only reason people will deal with you in the first place.
Thanks for the great post and for all your great information. Always love visiting your blog, always good information.
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October 16th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Erica
You’ve hit the nail on the head here. In the past, I haven’t upheld my integrity to the fullest, and it’s brought me longer droughts than the greatest times of harvest.
Integrity MUST be the foundation we build ANYTHING on. Note for all who read: tirelessly find ways to perfect your integrity. The rewards are endless!
Paul
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 3:13 am
Paul,
I have found many people to lack solid integrity. Often they mean to do well but when problems arise, they either look the other way, give up or just don’t own up to it. When people operate with integrity the experience is delightful – smooth, authentic with a sense of true accomplishment. Nice to hear from you again.
Thanks for sharing.
Warmly,
Erica
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October 16th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Dr Erica:
I couldn’t agree with you more. Integrity is one of my very highest values. I have left jobs that I truly enjoyed because I was asked to compromise my integrity. In the two niches I work in it is amazing how many people claim to be an expert and yet can’t answer simple, basic questions about the niche.
There are even those who talk about under-promising and over-delivering, but when the truth comes out it was all words and no action. I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating that is for me and how sad it is for the world as a whole.
Thank you for this timely post. I hope many, many people will receive this information in some way and will evaluate where they stand with their own integrity.
Live with passion and purpose,
Vanessa
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 4:06 am
Vanessa,
It seems to me that only the people who already have a high level of integrity are concerned to know more about integrity. The others often turn a blind eye so they can continue doing what they’re doing. This seems to be the way of the world.
Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..I Lost My Integrity on the way to Success – Does it Matter
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October 16th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Thanks Erica, Integrity is very important to me. I’ve always tried to do the right things by other people and by myself! I have dealt with many people who’s integrity is questionable… but at the end of the day, as long as you/I/we feel we are doing the right by other people thing then that’s all that matters.
Gavin Mountford recently posted..A New Baby on The Way For The Mountfords -
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 4:08 am
So true. If we truly feel we “are doing right by other people,” then we can breathe more easily and sleep well at night. How exciting that you are expecting a baby. What a great example you will be for that child.
Warmly,
Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..I Lost My Integrity on the way to Success – Does it Matter
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October 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Erica,
I SO agree with you here! In order to live our lives and enjoy ourselves fully, we must live in integrity. The inner must ultimately match the outer or we won’t be happy with ourselves. And to teach others, it is so important to “walk our own talk.” Long ago I learned to separate the teacher from the teaching, yet I still believe integrity is key to living a life of fulfillment.
Thanks for a great post,
Adam
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Adam,
Even in the wonderful field of marriage counseling, some therapists function with impeccable integrity and others do not. It seems to be in the case in any line of work. People may teach or preach one way but actually deliver less than promised. Integrity is essential for ultimate fulfillment in life. Thanks for your insight.
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..I Lost My Integrity on the way to Success – Does it Matter
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October 16th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Erica
Just the rest of the above I totally agree. I’ve had a few experiences with the underdelivered side. I Haven’t always givien me best, but over the years I’ve learned no matter what I’m doing or for who I try to give my best.
As a clown and a DJ I always give more then most people expect. Stay a little longer then expected or just do more. Makes you feel good at the end of the day!
Have a Great Day
Chester
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Chester,
I am very aware of giving more and expecting less, until I find another person is not operating the same way. It is such a joy to connect with people who keep their word, deliver more than what they promise, and live with integrity.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Warmly,
Erica
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October 19th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Integrity takes time to built and seconds to be destroyed. It is sad that in our world today most people are unscrupulous of this virtue, which is the reason why they don’t succeed with the endeavors. This is an important reminder for all.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 4:19 am
Walter,
How true. Integrity can be destroyed in seconds, by just not keeping your word, breaking a promise, under-delivering, taking advantage. Integrity requires mindfulness, caring and willingness to be authentic, even when it is difficult. Thanks for your insights.
Warmly,
Erica
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October 19th, 2010 at 4:46 am
This is so true. I am amazed how often I receive phone calls or emails from people I don’t remember who communicate like I am their best friend. This is just because I did what I said I would and didn’t make up stories to get their business.
Best of all these people tell others, even 3 or 4 years after they purchase something. I believe in the next few years, integrity will be everything. We all fail occasionally, but it is a key ingredient for long term success!
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
John,
I agree. In the next few years, with everything that is available and being pushed at us every day, integrity will be everything.
Thanks for your insight.
Warmly,
Erica
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October 26th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Boy this hits home with me. I recently had a business arrangement with a guy, who turned out to be a total flake. My job was to sale his pedicabs online as he had a team that would built them. What makes it worst, is he had me put these pedicabs on my website which involved SEO, advertising, my time etc. He was supposed to give me a code to put into my website and as weeks rolled by he kept saying he was going to give me the code and never did. I started receiving inquires from potential customers and was not able to sell to them because I did not have this code. Finally I removed the stuff from my website 2 weeks ago and said go riddance to the guy socially and the so called business. All he had to do was communicate with me and tell me he really was not interested, or follow through on his word, I would have been ok, with either decision. Instead he had me do all this work, for nothing.
So having a word is so important, in all aspects of life especially business. If you don’t have a word your nothing.
Thanks for the post!
Xavier.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Xavier,
It is all a learning experience. What this unethical business guy did was to teach you about the value of integrity. As long as you keep your word, just disconnect from those people who don’t. Every successful person has dealt with unscrupulous types and has had to learn the same lesson. Thanks for sharing your story.
Warmly,
Erica
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November 10th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Dr. Erica,
There is so much conflicting advice in the world! I think staying true to your inner sense of integrity makes sense. You do want to move forward with optimism and hope and say – Yes, this will be an event that people will want to attend! Or whatever it is that you are doing – but you don’t want to make it seem like the event of the century when it is obviously not. So finding that balance is important. People can probably sense the disconnect when you cross over from enthusiasm into dishonesty and then shy away from you.Great post! – Rob
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Rob,
So true. Even if you are offering a great event, if you personally feel inadquate, people will sense that also. Focusing on your own integrity also involves getting whatever counseling, mentoring or training you feel you need to bring yourself and your work into alignment with your goals and dreams and higher self.
Erica
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November 13th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Dr. Erica,
Hello! Yes! It does matter if you gain success and lose your integrity. It is always better when someone else praises our work while we focus on providing excellent service. Social proof is not bragging about ourselves, but actual users recommending you to others. What a great form of flattery/advertising. Have a powerful weekend! Allegra
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
November 13th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Allegra,
You are so right. It is so important to keep your integrity intact, even and especially during hard times. If we weather the hard times in a respectful and heartfelt way, when the good times come – and they often do come again – we can feel proud and happy, without having left behind any debris and hurt feelings.
I just received a wonderful testimonials from a local psychiatrist who had come to see me for a series of sessions after leaving her husband and filing for divorce. Together we helped her to take a higher, more loving and forgiving and understanding perspective. She was able to let go with love and acceptance and feel good inside herself.
Erica
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April 12th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Dr Erica, this is a very timely post. Integrity should be the heart of business. People seem to forget like attracts like. What do you attract if you have lost your integrity?
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 12:03 am
Perry,
Sometimes, when finances are low and stresses are high, some people cave in and let their integrity go. (Sometimes when finances and opportunities are too abundant, greed takes over and interferes with integrity). Trust is the important factor, to trust that your good, your business, the right clients for you will find you if you maintain your standards and your integrity.
Erica
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