“Whether a nation, business, or person, you need credibility; reputation is important.”  ~ Charles Munger

Socrates said that the best way to have a good reputation is to deserve it. Follow through with commitments you make. Treat people with courtesy, dignity, and respect. Conduct yourself honestly. These are the behaviors that deserve an excellent reputation. 

Reputation is your entry point into desirable business opportunities and high caliber friendships. It’s a necessity for building that highly desirable life. Place great effort into building, maintaining, and protecting your reputation. Afterall, it’s your brand. It’s what people say and think about you. 

When you purchase a Coke or eat a McDonald’s meal, you know exactly what you are getting. Every. Single. Time. These companies are focused and relentless about maintaining and protecting the quality of their product and brand. They understand its value. 

When it comes to your reputation, your brand, you do the same. There’s a reason that excellent reputations are unusual. It’s a lot of work and typically means avoiding the path of least resistance. It’s about setting high standards. It’s about consistency, consistency, consistency. 

While none of us will ever be able to live a life without mistakes, the pursuit of building and maintaining an excellent reputation will serve us well. It will open doors to opportunity and help lead to a life of honor and satisfaction. Just one more step down the path of getting a life.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”  ~ Winston Churchill