We all like to think we can get away with stuff, don’t we? Eating food we know we shouldn’t, watching stuff we know is inappropriate, saying things we hope no-one hears, or acting in a way we are sure nobody is seeing. Can I tell you this, and I hope you get it? Someone is always watching, even if you are sure you are alone. In fact, even if you are alone, someone is watching. That someone is you. The life we live and the outcomes we experience are the end result of the things we do. That being the case, I want to urge you to pay very close attention to what you do when you think no-one is watching.

I firmly believe, after many years of getting it wrong, that what is most important in my life is who I become, not what I accumulate or accomplish. I used to put on this very impressive front that people would see, but behind closed doors, I was far from the portrayal of the man I wanted people to observe. What I didn’t know at that time was, even though I was behind closed doors, people knew the truth. You can’t hide your character, you can’t cover your flaws, and you can’t mask the truth. So, the end result of my deception was debt, divorce, and darkness. This is my story, and I know it is the same for many people. Unless, of course, we can pay attention to what we do when we think no-one is watching.

For me, character is the most important thing. Who I am when I think nobody is watching is something I have become very focused on. Does that mean I am flawless and get it right all the time? Ha!! No, but at least I am more aware of it now than ever before. In fact, only this week I got it wrong, and was told in no uncertain terms. I have a very specific and scheduled LinkedIn Strategy I use each day to find; connections, people to collaborate with, possible speaking gigs, and people I could encourage and help to write a book. There are occasional times when I am a little careless and don’t do proper research before sending a message.

Last week, I gained a connection and sent a message to a guy, who seemed to have a positive influence in the lives of others, about the possibility of writing a book. What I failed to notice was that he was already an author. I have made this mistake a couple of times before and received a polite and respectful message from these people letting me know they were already authors. Well, this experience was very different. Stop, Andrew, stop!

Before I go any further with this story, I am going to stop. Why? Because what I realised, as I was about to share it, was going to be a total contradiction to the message I want to communicate with you in this post. I was about to make a judgment and hope a particular person wouldn’t see it. Wow!! I am so glad that I stopped myself and changed tact. Even though, on one hand, the continuation of the story would have reinforced the point, on the other it would have shown me to be an absolute hypocrite. Can you see how easy it is to slip into an action without really understand the full impact of that action and, who may be watching that action that we don’t know about?

I learned this lesson mid-blog, and it reinforced to me that without a very deliberate attitude, I can slide into judgement and hypocrisy. I am actually glad you were able to witness this process I just went through, because it proves we are all human and make poor choices. It also proves that we can stop and change direction at any time. Like me, if what you do and say when you think no-one is watching is different to when they are watching, then no matter how hard you try to hide it, your true character will be exposed.

In my podcast this week with Alain Salas, called Freedom is within, we discuss the power that is within every human to become the very best they can be, despite their circumstances. When you can develop this inner strength and self-love, you will be the same person whether you believe people are or are not watching. I want to encourage you from this moment, because your life is at stake, be very deliberate about what you say and do when you think no-one is watching.