THE CURRENCY CALLED REPUTATION

"Forget it! I can do anything at all for money".

"Being nice and considerate will not put food on my table and take care of my needs".

"You need to be wise (that is, to be crafty 😒) to make it in this life." 

"Too much "holy holy" will keep you poor".

Blah blah blah! 

You see people with these mindset?....

They don't last.

Let me first counter two dominant mindsets evident in the above statements.

First, being nice is never all there is to a good character. Niceness is never enough to afford you a good reputation. 

Secondly, reputation is an invisible currency whether you believe it or not.

Stay with me...

By obvious observation, this is a very impatient generation. The world is rapidly evolving and literally making life faster and easier for us.

 

There's fast food, fast shopping, fast delivery, even fast dopamine hits from social media. Advancement of technology has made everything easy from the comfort of our homes.

Let's not even talk about AI.

The point here is, the element of patience has reduced it's value so much in our generation.

In contrast, our appetite for money, material possession, attention and fame increases.

Let's reduce the pointing fingers on the older generation. This is eating up the younger generation.

Many young folks has engaged in careless behaviour on social media (exposing their bodies or jumping on unhealthy trends), cheated people, became internet fraudsters, lived loosed lives, become pressured by peers or families, and the likes because they covet a lifestyle.

They believe the lie, "if society celebrates it, then it's good for me".

And then, they get the lifestyle, the attention, the likes and follow on social media, the deals, but loose their reputation.

Just in case you don't know, reputation simply means a GOOD NAME. What determines if you have a good name is what follows after the name. 

My name is Favour Chukwudinobi. What makes this name a good name is the qualities that follows it. 

For example: If I'm known for my consistency in loving and serving God, this quality is what makes my name good. 

When my name is mentioned anywhere, that's one of the things people will remember of me.

"Oh, Favour, she's a good Christian lady that loves and serves God". 

Seeeeee!

Mind you, this was not built in a day. It took intentionality and consistency.

Same goes for anyone and anything.

Hence, you need to occasionally ask yourself:

• What am I known for? 

• Is any form of respect accorded to my name by virtue of the life I live?

There are people who would never be respected or taken seriously because of a certain lifestyle they're living. 

Some would even be ignored entirely.

The saddest part is that it stays with you so much that it becomes an identity and follows your children.

However, you must ask: 

• Can people trust me with jobs, referrals, business deals, a loved one, their time, their money, information, or confidential matters?

Also take a step further by asking: 

• How is my life in the secret?

• How do I treat people?

• How do I present myself to the world via my social media post/videos?

Are you a gossip, a cheat, a chronic liar, a manipulator, a squanderer, a bitter person, a lazy person, a loosed mouth, a hot-tempered person, prideful, unteachable, envious, greedy, without self control?

What do people know you for? 

Now, back to what I said earlier, being nice to people is not what makes a person of good character or reputation.

I've met extremely nice people that lie, are proud, unteachable, etc.

True character comprises of integrity, humility, honesty and discipline.

You must work on every area of your life if you must be a person of good reputation.

Secondly, reputation is a currency because it's not bent on just bringing you money. 

If it's all about the money, then we all should be dishonest earners or earn via illicit behaviours.

A good reputation:

1. Earns you trust.

2. Opens doors you didn't pay for (favour).

3. Earns you respect even in your absence.

4. Effortlessly gives you influence and heavy value on your name.

5. Gives you opportunities even before qualifications.

6. Gives you access to strong relationships.

And many more.

So don't be fooled... It's not always about the money or attention.

And always remember this truth, people are watching. 

And when it's time for them to choose for something profitable, reputable or even global, they may choose the one they trust their character and integrity the most.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."

(Proverbs 22:1, NKJV)

Think, reflect and make amends.

Jesus loves you.