| Without character, the puzzle of achieving success | | | | office, even if it isn't appreciated or understood. |
| falls apart. It is most important of all pieces to life's | | | | Chances are very good that if you're the only one |
| puzzle. Without character, you can make money. But it | | | | doing the right thing, you won't last where you are, but |
| will be worthless to you and to those around you. Look | | | | you will find something better where your integrity is |
| out in the world today: drug dealers and con artists | | | | appreciated and applauded. |
| have money-but they lack character. | | | | Character realizes that the most important things in life |
| If you go to all the work of achieving success, you | | | | are not office- or work-based. They are family and a |
| don't want to mar it with a lack of character that will | | | | sense of responsibility to that family. Character will not |
| make people pity you as you age and become less | | | | sacrifice your family on the altar of "I've got to finish |
| than you were intended to be. | | | | this project," nor will it tell you children, "Maybe next |
| Character equals integrity. Integrity is doing the right | | | | time, hon," when asked to play catch. |
| thing all the time, even when no one else is watching. | | | | Your character will shine through as you put your |
| You don't have anything to fear when your integrity is | | | | family before your work, as you purposefully schedule |
| in tact, because you have nothing to hide. You | | | | time with them (and then keep those appointments |
| experience no guilt and no fear. And without those | | | | you put in your planner), as you "date" your spouse |
| two traveling companions, it's much easier to climb | | | | and remember why it is you got married in the first |
| higher and farther, faster! | | | | place, and as you set an example that your spouse |
| What does this mean in a practical sense? It means | | | | and children can be proud of. |
| that you will put the right philosophy (the golden rule) in | | | | The most important thing to remember as you |
| to practice in all that you do. You will not step on | | | | consider character is that your children will grow up to |
| someone else to climb the corporate ladder; you will | | | | be just like you. John Maxwell once said, "We teach |
| not stack bodies in order to reach the CEO position | | | | what we know; we reproduce who we are." So as a |
| that you desire. You will treat people with respect, | | | | person who is full of integrity and character, you will |
| honesty, and trust. You will behave towards others | | | | reproduce those same traits in your children as you |
| how you want (and expect) them to behave towards | | | | climb towards success in your life. And isn't that really |
| you. | | | | what it's all about, anyhow? |
| You will be the model of "doing the right thing" in your | | | | |