Module #1 - Attitudes - Truthful
Important: Before you study this lesson please watch this video, “Why?“. Example: If you or your client are in a relationship and the other person displayed an attitude of not being “Truthful”, you’ll need to master, and you’ll need to educate your client the following: “Confront and Level!”, “Assertive Communications!”, as well as “I Feel Good, PST!”.
Make sure to answer the questions at the bottom of this page and write your essay before moving on to the next lesson.
We all have heard the phrase “being truthful is the best policy.” This is one of the most common proverbs taught in kindergarten. Our parents and teachers often quoted this proverb in our childhood years to encourage us to be honest all the time. But as we all grew up and life progressed, the proverb lost its meaning.
In modern times, only a handful of people can claim that they are always truthful. That’s only a few people on this whole planet who can say that being truthful is not just a proverb, it’s their way of life.
What do you think happened? Why did most of us choose to walk on a different path?
In the childhood years when a child lies and gets caught, it is considered an innocent act. Many adults choose to ignore it and sometimes they laugh it off. But as the child starts progressing towards adulthood the lies also evolve and take a different form.
When we enter adulthood, we get our own set of reasons to be dishonest. Some of us lie to protect ourselves, some of us lie to protect our secrets. Some of us lie to avoid particular situations or outcomes, and some of us lie because we’ve been lied to before.
But the list doesn’t end here. While some of us take the path of dishonesty to avoid certain circumstances, some of us also choose the same for certain gains.
It is easy to find people who advocate truthfulness. We bet you’ll never find a person who openly supports dishonesty. So, the question arises when we say and preach that being truthful is the best policy: is it because we firmly believe that truthfulness is the best policy or is it because we want to sound politically correct?
What Exactly is Being Truthful?
Many websites and dictionaries render different definitions. Some platforms will tell you it’s the quality of being honest, some will tell you it’s acting truthfully, and some will tell you it’s about all about being real.
But the answer lies within the question. The question we asked before. Why do people choose to walk the path of dishonesty? If you will look closely, being truthful is nothing more than the presence of courage and the absence of fear.
We walk the path of dishonesty because deep down we are scared. Sometimes we are scared of losing someone or something; sometimes we are scared of an outcome; and sometimes we are scared of a situation.
It is perfectly fine to be scared, we all are humans after all. The issues arise when courage is absent. We all can be scared and still speak the truth and choose the path of honesty.
When you follow the path of honesty, you stay true to not only your loved ones but also to yourself. Honesty not only frees you from fears rooted deep within, but also empowers you and strengthens your conscious.
When you are honest with yourself, you get to know yourself better. You know exactly what you want and exactly what you don’t want. When you lead an honest life, your vision becomes clearer, which helps you make better decisions.
On the other hand, when fear is the primary driving force in our lives we are continuously progressing on the path of dishonesty, we are unconsciously dodging obstacles. These obstacles could be opportunities in disguise that can help us grow, learn, and improve to become a better person.
So, isn’t being truthful a better path to walk? Well, it certainly is.
How to be Truthful
In recent times, many people can be seen being tremendously harsh with others. They are utterly rude and never apologetic about being so. The worst part is they justify their behavior by saying that they were just being honest.
While honesty is one of the greatest qualities, pairing it with harsh, ill-mannered and disrespectful behavior degrades its meaning. When people are brutally honest, the intention is not to speak the truth, but to hurt. When people callously speak the bitter truth, it causes more damage than good.
Hence while speaking the truth, it’s important to be mindful of people’s feelings. It’s important to know the purpose of speaking the truth. More importantly, it’s important to understand that everybody has their own versions of the truth and just because yours doesn’t match with theirs doesn’t mean they are wrong.
Being honest requires a lot of courage. An abundance of courage that helps you overcome fear. But hurting people doesn’t require courage, it only requires wrong intentions.
If you are someone who is willing to be truthful for the rest of your life, start with yourself. Be honest with yourself. Many people take their first step on this path and immediately walk two steps back. Why? It’s because they want others to be honest as well. Some people firmly believe that if they are being honest others must also be honest. While it’s fair to believe so because nobody likes being cheated on, it’s also important to understand that just like you, everybody else has a choice, too. And choices can differ.
Is being truthful the best policy?
We won’t lie to you. We won’t sugarcoat facts. Being truthful can sometimes bring you loss; it can put you in a difficult situation or it might force you to face an outcome you never wanted to face. Long story short, the path of honesty is full of thorns which might become the cause of your suffering.
On the other hand, being honest helps you become a better person. It makes you more self-aware and it helps you build a strong character. Being honest also helps you find and face your weaknesses. More importantly, it helps you drop the false masks and identities and helps you lead a life with courage and an absence of fear. When you are armed with courage and strong character, do you think suffering will be able to scare you? We can’t answer that question. It’s something you must decide for yourself.
If you have made up your mind to lead your life with honesty, here are a few things we won’t ask you to do. We won’t ask you to go back and make amendments. We won’t ask you to make everything perfect. We are here to help you achieve your goal. And to help you with it, we would only ask you to start today and to start fresh.
The essay
Please write an essay, up to two pages, about a past experience you or someone you know were not being honest. Tell us in detail, who, what, when, where, why, to whom, the time, the place of what you did. The outcome! And tell us in detail how you could have changed that use from what you learned today so the outcome would have been good. Internalize this lesson. Make it become a part of you. Share your thoughts about what you’ve learned in the Forum.
Our advice is for you to practice “Being Truthful” for at least a week. Tell others around you to point out any event in which you didn’t. Have them hold you accountable. Visit the “Forum” and do a “CONFESSION”.
What is a “CONFESSION”? A CONFESSION IS WHEN YOU’VE DISPLAYED A WRONG BEHAVIOR AND WERE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, PEERS, OR EVEN BY YOU. VISIT THE “FORUM” AND TELL US ABOUT IT. WE WILL GIVE YOU FEEDBACK! MAKE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT “CONFESSION” FOR MORE DETAILS! FURTHERMORE, BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FORUM AND GIVE FEEDBACK TO OTHERS. “That’s how you gain practice in becoming a CERTIFIED LIFE COACH!
Read the article? Time for introspection!
Please answer the following using “Print Your Work Book, PDF Or, Word“
- Do you think honesty is the best policy?
- Have you ever lied to someone you love? How did it make you feel?
- Has choosing the path of honesty helped you become a better person? If yes, how?
- Do you expect honesty in return for the same? Do you think it’s keeping you from walking the path of honesty?
- What setbacks did you face while walking on the path of honesty? How did you overcome them?
Sources
https://www.paulekman.com/blog/why-do-people-lie-motives/
http://www.betterworld4all.org/five-benefits-honest/
This module includes the following:
- Introduction
- Why Become a Life Coach
- Truthful
- Dependable
- Zealous
- Open Mindedness
- Humble
- Kindhearted
- Being Neutral
- Appreciation
- Attitude Check & Confession
- I Feel Good, PST™
- Why?
There is no way any relationship will survive without having the qualities mentioned above.
Make sure to read each article carefully at least three time. I am thankful that you have given me this opportunity to share all of this with you. May God bless you and bring prosperity and peace into your life.
Respectfully yours,
George Tannous, PhD
This is Where Confessions, Attitude Checks, Accountability, Give and Receive Feedback Comes in. Practice for Your Own Practice!
Well, you might be asking yourself “How am I going to get practice for my practice?” Great question and I thought you’ll never ask!
#1 You are part of a group with the same interests.
#2 You have a question in regards to one of your clients and we are here to help you.
#3 Others have questions and you can give feedback and help them.
#4 You need to do a confession.
#5 And much more.
You Are Never Alone! Join the Forums!
Once you have completed this entire journey, you will be issued a Life Coach Certificate. Must participate in our Forums to get certified! You’ll achieve your internship by joining and partcipating in our “Forums”.