This post is about integrity.
I am pulled several different ways throughout the day. We all are. My day job has a backlog of tasks to do with various degrees of urgency. My church job has a backlog of people to engage with various degrees of urgency. My family and homestead also clammer for attention. And, in the midst of it all, I also try to intentionally play and rest.
So, right off the bat, I recognize that finding something to do is never a problem. Neither is setting priorities. In this article, I’d like to explore the idea of integrity in keeping commitments.
In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says:
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
We simply must do what we have committed to doing, otherwise it isn’t a commitment, but simply a good intention.
- Don’t double book your time.
This is the first step of living with integrity. If you know there will be impossible scheduling conflicts, don’t commit to two things. For example, if your day job expects you to be working at 10am on a Monday, don’t schedule a 10am appointment for your second job. This isn’t rocket surgery.
- Tell both jobs of your bi-vocational interests.
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Ask for time-shift and place-shift flexibility in doing your work.
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Integrity has nothing to do with your paycheck.
Does your day job really have a greater priority than your 2nd job, simply because you get a bigger paycheck from it? If your answer is yes, then you are simply saying that your integrity is for sale at the price of your day-job salary.
My Comments Policy
As you know, Web 2.0 is all about the conversation. But without a few simple ground rules, that conversation can turn into a shouting match that discourages others from entering into the fray.
So here is my comments policy. By posting on my blog, you agree to the following:
You may comment without registering. You can log-in via Disqus, OpenID, Twitter, Facebook—or not at all. It’s up to you.
You may post anonymously. I don’t recommend this, but you may do so if you wish. I may change this rule if it is abused.
You may post follow-up questions. If you have a question, chances are you are not alone. Others are likely thinking similarly. Therefore, I would rather receive your comments on my blog than via email. It is a better use of my time to address everyone at once rather than answer several similar emails.
You may disagree with me. I welcome debate. However, I ask that if you disagree with me—or anyone else, for that matter—do so in a way that is respectful. In my opinion, there is way too much shouting in the public square to tolerate it here.
I reserve the right to delete your comments. This is my blog. I don’t have an obligation to publish your comments. The First Amendment gives you the right to express your opinions on your blog not mine.
Specifically, I will delete your comments if you post something that is, in my sole opinion, (a) snarky; (b) off-topic; (c) libelous, defamatory, abusive, harassing, threatening, profane, pornographic, offensive, false, misleading, or which otherwise violates or encourages others to violate my sense of decorum and civility or any law, including intellectual property laws; or (d) “spam,” i.e., an attempt to advertise, solicit, or otherwise promote goods and services. You may, however, post a link to your site or your most recent blog post.
You retain ownership of your comments. I do not own them and I expressly disclaim any and all liability that may result from them. By commenting on my site, you agree that you retain all ownership rights in what you post here and that you will relieve me from any and all liability that may result from those postings.
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In short, my goal is to host interesting conversations with caring, honest, and respectful people. I believe this simple comments policy will facilitate this.
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