I am betting that every person reading this article has heard the Golden Rule a thousand times. I am also betting that every person reading this article has been reminded, a thousand times or more, of the many benefits of living by the Golden Rule.
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
It’s one thing to know and supposedly understand one of the most critical success factors for every human on the face of the planet… including you and me. It’s a very different thing to create and maintain the habits necessary to consistently apply and “live” that critical success factor.
Look around you. Personally, professionally and organizationally, the vast majority of people DO NOT consistently apply and “live” the golden rule. Virtually everyone pays lip service to this universal critical success factor, but the vast majority of people DO NOT consistently apply and “live” the Golden Rule.
If you think I may be overstating my case, take some time to reflect, look, read and listen. Regardless of the industry, the country, the region, the socio-economic level and status; regardless of virtually any criteria or parameter you wish to consider, the Golden Rule is consistently ignored and is consciously and purposefully broken over and over millions of times every day of every year.
Why is this? Why do the majority of people, at least part or some of the time, ignore and consciously go against this universal critical success factor? Bottom line, these people ignore and break the Golden Rule because they think they can get away with it, they think it will be to their advantage, or they are too selfish or lazy to invest the time and effort to follow, apply and “live’ the Golden Rule.
The price these people pay? Sometimes small, although the perpetrator knows and has to live with the fact that he or she has broken one of the most important and basic success factors on the planet… the Golden Rule.
Sometimes the price is larger and more visible… even public. The price paid in these cases can be very heavy on family, job, income, and relationships.
Sometimes the price is devastating, not only on the perpetrator, but unfortunately on many innocent people including family, friends, and colleagues. In these cases, many perpetrators never fully recover.
What is the reward for consistently applying and “living” the Golden Rule? Peace, joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness, excellent relationships and success (however you define success) are just a few of the more obvious benefits. All benefits would not fit in a 500 page book with small print. The rewards and benefits, at every personal, professional and organizational level, and with every relationship are beyond description.
That is why it is called The Golden Rule!
Want guaranteed and increasing success (however you define success)? Live the Golden Rule!
