When I was eighteen years young, I wrote something. Call it a quote. I wrote, " Ripe & Ready, Fast & Heady, He Ran For His Life....Yet Life Moved On. Move Life....never let it move you."
Philosophically, I knew what it meant. Yet, I never lived it....until right about now. Oh, the reality...
I spoke with Desiree "Desire with an extra E" Daniels today. We talked in length, and it kept coming back to integrity. We discussed all things concerning Real Estate in a short amount of time. Integrity in what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and when we do it. After I hung up the phone, I thought about what I came up with at a mere 18 years old. It was about Integrity.
I've made more mistakes than O.J. Simpson on a bad batch of steroids and pain killers, OK, not that many mistakes. None the less, when things work out in the end, it sometimes and often times is a hellacious (Is that a word) ride to get there. Especially if you have and are Integrity. Integrity isn't easy, that's probably one of the reasons it is so highly sought after by the masses.
Business is business and life is life. I made a phone call today to a client, trying to sneak a loan in for August. I'm commissioned based after all, I live on closed loans. They answered, and as I was trying to make a "sale," the told me a story. It was a family fiasco and this particular gentlemen is stuck in "Working Class America," spoke to me about a nightmare of a circumstance. I gained two things out of that conversation, a sale and an experience.
That experience, my conversation with Desiree "With an extra E" Daniels, and a tad bit of thinking made me wonder if I had a concept as clean & clear & concise as Integrity.
Why I exist - Well, there was this instance in the back of a 68 Ford without even a plastic bag for remote protection. Or, I exist because of a reason far beyond me. I exist because I add a tad more better than worse to the world I live in.
What I Stand For- Number One, The Pledge of Allegiance....well, not always. I hope I stand for making this world easier because I existed. I hope I stand for inherent and outward bound giving, I want integrity in the way I treat others....but it is even better if I have Integrity amongst myself.
Intentions...What I am up too - I Cite a comic-book character, Loki, the God of Mischief! Integrity peaks karma and the reality you call it. My intention, I'm up to try to being all-good, while no good. Difficult task, I want to be an "I" in Integrity. I want to bring it back and call it my own....Integrity to them and me.
Integrity will never go away, it will be there, if even, it go alone. Integrity is making mistakes, is owning up to your faults, is realizing you don't do well with giving 'Bad News." Integrity is being you and seeing what that gets you out of life. Integrity is "I."
Great post. To me, people can make honest mistakes, and for the most part, the response from the person "wronged" is quick forgiveness (now, let's make it RIGHT). The moment that the mistake is uncovered is the fork in the road- admittance and correction, or procrastination when addressing it. The latter, to me, turns honest into dishonest. Clients just want the TRUTH.
I hear you. I always have to psych myself up to give bad news, but I think to myself, I would want this customer to be honest with me!
I think just by reading your blogs over time you are a person of integrity, that is why I read your blog. I knew it would be good. You have a gift for self reflection and honesty that should not be overlooked.
So good. It also helps me to think of how I will look back at myself and laugh in ten years, then I take things a little less seriously. :)
Excellent Subject!
I N T E G R I T Y
Integrity, Honor, Dignity, Courage, Humility, Decency, Respect.... These few words carry more weight than diamonds and Gold!
Jason,
Integrity is not easily found in our industries anymore, although most of those lacking integrity will be thankfully flushed out. I agree with the comment about making mistakes, with admitting them being number one and then making things right number two. We have to take responsibility for ourselves and even for our team at times.
Regarding bad news, we may not like it, but it is a part of the job. How we handle it says a lot about our professionalism and how well the client will take it. All part of our integrity.
Jason.... I also believe that good people can make mistakes. You seem to have that "I" also.... it's those that deceive others in this business that I have no room for. And those that have a certain position that abuse this position. I am just babbling because of a situation that I am up against from today, another lender and how sloppy they are....but the client is still deciding... in any case, sorry...but you make some great points. And I was trying to keep my so-called "I" today from being negative about the other. Nice post and glad that you got the chance to talk to Des..... She is a great person and so are you.... two people that mean well....
Sis - I think you define the "I" and have inspired I. Thank you.
Laurie - That is so very key. When, and it is only a matter of when, people make mistakes (no matter who is the guilty party) you can sit there griping and finger pointing, or you can RIGHT them....find a solution.
Joe - Bad news is never easy, but that's reality for you. Thank you for the kind words.
Mott Marvin - Not so sure I have a handle on you yet, but thank you for the input. The words you mentioned along with Integrity carry all the weight in the world...I agree.
Robert - Well put. I believe the mood has and will continue to be a changing...
Desiree - Pleasure chatting with you as well!
Thesa - Hmmmm, ok, what's the scoop? Sardi is listening:-)
Jeff - I think I know what you are saying without you having to go into any details at all. Thank you as well for the kind words.
Jason,
I think when you write some of your posts you need to take additional steroids...too much rage!:)
You are right integrity is all we have-plus honesty. You seem to have all the good traits in you.
Jason, so you speak the babble language also? ;o) thanks
Neal - Lol, ditto amigo.
Matthew - Thanks man, I've experienced first hand how you deal with clients, you peronify the 'I' word.
Diane - :-) Thanks!
Jeff - I almost majored in Babble in College:-)
Hi Jason,
For some integrity and honesty are akin to 4-letter words (not that I know any of them!) But, for us, we are the ones who can stand up, proud of ourselves. Integrity includes failing. It just means that we admit it, ask for forgiveness, and make it right as best as we can. You were, by the way, born for a purpose...I think it may be to get me something from the Philadelphia Eagles. They have been my bestest team since I was a little girl, chosing my bestest teams based on their colors and uniforms. You would not even believe the amount of grief I get over liking that team. I am, after all, a West Coast girl. Anyway, you keep up your hard work, and you will do just fine!
Sarah,
Well put, Integrity does include failing. And it's not easy being a Phillie Fan.
Jason - Lovely post. Like you integrity is very important to me, It's doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Jason... Great post way to look inside yourself... I have a saying as well Do what you say and say what you do. Oddly enough the company I work for is Integrity Group.
Marlene - Doing the right thing when nobody is watching, that is so crucial in mind in being Part-Saint!
Donna - I had a chemistry teacher in high school who used to say that saying (Do what you say and say what you do). I hated it because I wasn't overally sold on him and wasn't a big fan of the class, but the quote is wisdom at its best if you can follow it. Your company picked a pretty good name:-) Just abide by it...
Jason,
No loving those Eagles as I do and actually announcing it in public...now that is integrity with a capital "I". :-)
I'm beginning to think that true integrity is the journey, not the destination.
Sarah, I've always been an Eagles fan, too! (Jason is NOT.) I'll cheer with you!
Sarah,
Well said on the journey part! You are a very clever girl. :-) Let's help keep those Eagles alive this year. We need to rally thr troops! Jason...are you going to join the cool kids in the class? :-)
Sarah's Squared - Two words for ya, "GO STEELERS!"
Thank you Shane Sarae.
Sarah - Probably Iron City Beer, with pictures of the Steeler players and team on them.
Angie - I did see that, thanks!