Three Grand Essentials to Happiness

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.“ – Joseph Addison

One key to success in life, both personally and professionally, is possessing the motivation to achieve whatever it is that you hope to achieve. The motivation to achieve not only applies to individuals, but it applies to organizations as well. Motivation is one of the key ingredients in the goal attainment recipe. Without it the two words “one day” eventually merge to become “someday” and over time evolve into “never”. Never then becomes a word that represents life filled with regret.

The Link Between Hope and Motivation

True motivation comes from a belief that one day you can achieve whatever it is you’ve set out to achieve. That belief is driven by hope, the hope that one day you will get to the place that you envision in your mind. Without the belief that you can achieve your goals and dreams it would be virtually impossible to get yourself up, moving, and headed in the direction that will ultimately lead you to where it is you are trying to go.

The same is true for organizations. Without a vision for a better future, it becomes very difficult for people to connect their work to a meaningful and purpose driven outcome. When people within an organization know that their work is contributing to a greater good, which is ultimately connected to hope for a better future, they are more driven to achieve the goals set forth by the organization.

The Link Between Hope and Integrity

Integrity is essentially the quality of consistent actions in areas such as honesty, morals, values, expectations, and outcomes. Integrity is another key ingredient in the recipe for successful goal attainment. If you say you are going to do something, then do it. Otherwise keep it to yourself.

The same is true for who you are as a person. If you say you are an honest person, then be honest in all doings, not just in those dealings that you think will matter most. When you are not a person of integrity people will not believe what you have to say, nor will they believe that you will follow through with what it is you say you will do.

On an individual level, not being honest with yourself or failing to follow through with what it is you set out to do can lead to a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. On a professional level, not being a person of integrity can lead to disappointment and resentment from your employees and coworkers. On a personal level, not doing what you say you are going to do with family and friends can lead to strained relationships and a lack of trust.

Hope is a vision for a better future, no matter how big or small. Integrity is the personal quality necessary to ensure that what is hoped for becomes reality.

You Don’t Need to Be the Big Man on Campus

Sometimes we feel the need to say that we are going to do something because we think it makes us look good in the eyes of others. This may be true to some extent, but you only look good when you do what it is that you say you are going to do. Failing to follow through on what it is you say you are going to do, no matter how small, hurts you more than your statement of what you are going to do helps you.

Why? Because talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. Anyone can say that they are going to do something, but not everyone can or will follow through and do it. Failing to do what it is that you say you will do may leave people questioning your integrity, which can also lead to them questioning all your other personal qualities.

If You Say You Are Going to Do It, Do It!

When you tell someone you are going to do something and then fail to follow through the impact of your failure can be much greater and much deeper than you may realize. For example, if a friend comes to you asking for your help in a job search and you tell them that you can connect them with John Doe or that you are pretty sure that you can get them an interview with XYZ company, you better follow through. Otherwise, don’t put it out there.

Why? Because the person you just made the offer to is counting on you to help them in a very important aspect of their life. They are holding out hope that you are going to help them realize a better and brighter future for themselves. Your failure to follow through can deflate the hope they have and potentially lead to disappointment and resentment.

The same holds true in organizational life. Don’t tell your employees one thing and fail to see it through. They will get their hopes up, only to be disappointed by your lack of integrity. Over time your lack of integrity will lead to lowered morale and a loss of motivation. Organizations low in employee morale and motivation not only have lower employee satisfaction ratings, but they also realize less than desirable bottom line results and have greater employee turnover.

Leverage Your EQ to Help You Maintain Your Integrity

When choosing to offer up a vision for a brighter future, be it your own or the organization’s, tap into your emotional intelligence to help you navigate the complexity of dream realization. Take the time to think about how your statements may impact others. Take the time to think about how you impact their hope for a better future for themselves and those the care about. Place yourself in the shoes of those you lead.

By taking the time to place yourself in the shoes of the one receiving your promise you stand a better chance of maintaining your integrity and ensuring that you don’t over promise and under deliver. Hope drives people. A leader's purpose is to influence positive change. One way to do that is to instill hope and be the model of integrity.

Randy Stepp is a Principal with Renaissance Leadership Group. RLG is a full-service business and franchise development company whose purpose is to help business owners realize their dreams of independence and freedom.

Visit Renaissance Leadership Group at www.renaissanceleadershipgroup.com to learn more about business development