Keep Your Word and Tell the Truth

Whatever a customer’s experience is with you, that’s the impression they will communicate to everyone they know! This is a classic case of where Girard’s Law of 250 kicks into high gear. If you’ve been less than above board with them, especially on what they paid you for something, it could cost you. Your reputation is now on the hot seat, and that could take years to repair (if at all). What do you want them to say about YOU? What don’t you understand here? Tell me that isn’t YOU! Telling the truth and not being deceptive is always the right thing to do. It speaks well of your character and earns the respect of the people around you.

A good salesperson isn’t the only one whose reputation depends on telling the truth. It’s true of all of us, whether one’s a student, a lawyer, a politician, a homemaker, a teacher or as a motivational speaker. I owe my success to sticking strictly to the truth. A lie can cost you business, can cost you friends, can cost you trust, can cause you trouble and can cost you money. If you stick to the truth no matter what the cost, you can only come out a winner, not a loser.

The power of your reputation applies to your personal as well as your professional life. It should be obvious by now that building a power reputation is a significant step toward establishing the character of who you are and what you stand for in life whenever you are seen or others mention your name. This isn’t about being famous or anything like that. It’s about representing yourself to others with the same honesty and respect you would want from them. When your character achieves that status, your reputation cannot reflect anything other then a positive image.

How you handle the people you care about most in this world—your family, your customers—has everything to do with whether or not they will stay with you or come back to you. People don’t forget how you treat them. Fortunately, you get to decide your own fate here. HERE’S THE LESSON: What people will think about your character and reputation in the future is forged now—not tomorrow but right now. For me, telling the truth strikes at the very heart and soul of who you are.

One of the most important things you can do to make sure you always tell the truth is to look around you and take note of all the things you have experienced and attained in life that came from being truthful. These things are truth’s gifts to you. It might be as simple as a car or a home that was acquired through your honest hard work. Or, most of all, think of the relationships you have made with others—a spouse, your kids, or maybe just a very special friend. Think of the honest and faithful relationships you have formed with them by being truthful and trusting. One of the few things you can always give in this life, and still keep, is YOUR WORD. Cherish it. It has your name on it. Keeping your word and telling the truth speaks well of your character and earns the respect and trust of the people around you!

communicate to everyone they know! This is a classic case of where Girard’s Law of 250 kicks into high gear. If you’ve been less than above board with them, especially on what they paid you for something, it could cost you. Your reputation is now on the hot seat, and that could take years to repair (if at all). What do you want them to say about YOU? What don’t you understand here? Tell me that isn’t YOU! Telling the truth and not being deceptive is always the right thing to do. It speaks well of your character and earns the respect of the people around you.