Yes, our reputation often precedes us. People form an opinion or a judgement of another before they would actually have had their own experience with them. A story heard or a casual observation shared determines their initial comprehension and approach with that person. Some good and some bad.

If you want a good reputation, invest years and years of your life in good character and consistent good effort that would be interpreted as positive. Also know that after years and years of formative effort, one event of poor character and reputation sets you back to the start.

The foundation of building and sustaining a positive reputation is to have a clear and positive purpose in your life and to center the journey to that purpose to always be centered upon building up with others and not just yourself. Be always of high character, even when it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable in some scenarios. Invest in production of shared value with others and your character and reputation will benefit all. All value rises higher when starting with good reputation, from good character.

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it all.” — Benjamin Franklin —

MITM