Lying and misleading others has become an epidemic and almost “normal.” Are the benefits of not telling the whole truth outweighing the possibility of getting caught and punished for it? What about exaggerations and white lies? Surely, they can’t hurt anyone, right? But, do we ever completely escape the consequences of lying or misleading others?
6 Big Effects of Lying or Misleading Others
1 Not Telling the Truth Causes Fear of Being Found Out
Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, every lie, no matter how small, puts us on guard. And they add up.
2 Not Telling the Truth Lowers Our Self-Respect
Every time we try to get away with something by keeping a secret or misinforming someone, some establishment, or some group, it lowers our self-respect a notch or two. We may not get caught, but we think less and less of ourselves. How can we be a person we admire when we are afraid to acknowledge the truth?
3 Not Telling the Truth Makes It Difficult to Have Deep Meaningful Relationships
When we lie or mislead others, it creates superficial relationships. Close relationships are built on honesty, and disclosure.
4 Not Telling the Truth Is a Short-Term Fix
It may seem we have dodged a bullet for a brief time, but eventually, it almost always catches up with us, especially nowadays with social media and the World Wide Web.
5 Not Telling the Truth Impacts Other Parts of Our Life
When we let not being on the up and up go on for any length of time it can easily affect other parts of our life, such as our health, career, finances, relationships, and most of all, our ability to be happy. Left unchecked it can create an absolute mess with loads of different problems.
6 Not Telling the Truth Attracts Others That Do the Same
Like attracts like. That means similar behaviors are drawn to each other. So, if we practice misleading others, we will find that others will mislead us.
A Solution
Here’s the funny thing. There is a way to be honest that escapes punishment altogether, gives you more benefits than you can imagine, and doesn’t hurt anyone in anyway—including you.
Two Steps
1 You Can Rethink Your Beliefs that…
- “We benefit and gain by deceiving others.”
- “We can escape punishment by keeping secrets and lying.”
We might be able to avoid others punishing us, but we can’t escape the toughest type which is self-punishment.
2 Have the Courage to be Honest
Once you get tired of being submerged in fear and deception, your intuition will surface to guide you out of it. You’ll not let lies mislead you any longer, and you will actually become the kind of person you would admire.
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I have two QUIZZES that may help you from lying or misleading others…
Is the Changing World Stressing You Out?
Also, check out the Inner Work and the Feel Worthy sections on my website.
And, if you need an advisor to help you on your quest, contact Vickie Champion for a coaching and consulting session at a discounted price.