I’m sure we’ve all been assigned some tasks that end up being boring or seemingly unimportant. If you took a few shorts cuts no one would really know, would they? Why exert your full effort if you don’t need to, right? That’s the wrong attitude to have. There are always consequences. If you’re assigned to do something you should always do it with complete commitment.
Why is this so important? I’ll share two incidents; one from the pages of history and one recent story.
On April 14, 1865, Police Officer John Parker was assigned to guard President Lincoln and the First Lady while they attended a play at Ford’s Theatre. As soon as the Lincolns got settled in their box, Parker left his post so he could watch the play and left the President unattended. Because of that decision, John Wilkes Booth had no problem walking into President Lincoln’s box and shooting him later that night.
Recently, a friend of mine dropped me off at the airport for an early flight. Instead of going back home he decided to go into work. He’s the Building Security Manager for a large bank. When he arrived at the bank at 5:15 a.m., he discovered that one of the guards was missing. He found out that the guard had just left, although the guard was supposed to be on duty until 6:00 a.m. when the shift change occurs. It turned out that the guard did this often and was fired later that day.
Though both stories are security related, they apply to any circumstance. You never know when you’ll be needed or who will watch you when you least expect it. So, always give your full effort in all you do. Short cuts are only a short term benefit; your integrity is always on display.
This also shows how we’re all connected. What we do, or don’t do, affects other people’s lives. If Officer Parker had not abandoned his post history may have been different. If I hadn’t gone on an early flight my friend might not have offered to drive me to the airport and he would not have gone in to work early. The guard would still be employed and would still be leaving work early.
Today the Secret Service protects the President and there’s someone more responsible guarding the bank.
We never know what the consequences of our decisions will be, but one thing’s for sure; if you take short cuts your actions could have long lasting ramifications.
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