Dying with No Regrets

What do you strive for in life? Do you want to make lots of money, travel the world, build a huge business empire or build a huge football team… between your spouse and you?

In the course of doing business, we interview many, many bright sparks (sure, we meet some who are a lot dimmer too, but…). Many of them have the same grouses, especially if they hail from ad agencies – they find that they have been committing an insane amount of hours to their employers. They work from 10 a.m. till midnight, or 3 a.m. – and no, not just once or twice a month, but almost to the extent of becoming the norm.

Do you think they’re bachelors and spinsters? Some are and I can almost see why… but others have loving husbands and wives at home, not to mention kids. I surely don’t want to be entrapped like that, and neither would I ever want any of the Integricity staff to feel that way either. Just yesterday, I interviewed a very dynamic and enterprising man who has been in the advertising scene for many years. He fits exactly into the mould of late nights with a wife and kid at home. The most painful thing he told me was, “my son has started calling my wife – Da Da, not Ma Ma”. Ouch.

By 6.30 – 7 p.m., Integricity is deserted. Our staff have gone back. Sure, our Fanatical Service Team are still on call, but we let them off and manage responsibilities wherever they are. On a slightly morbid note – on your death bed, do you think your boss will be there to thank you for the dedication to your company? Or would it be your child and family who rally around you… Who would you rather give another moment of time to? My choice is obvious… Integricity… just kidding!

Today, I feel as if I need to urge all of you busy fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters to take a moment to think of those who matter to you. Give them a call, a hug, a kiss. It doesn’t take long, but do tell someone how much you love them. Then pack your bags and leave the office.

“Oh no, but my boss will fire me!” Do you think Integricity has a place for you? Maybe… give us a call. Okay, enough of canvassing for staff.

Seriously, think of your life ahead and what you want to achieve. Pastor Chris from my church (thanks!) once made us go through an exercise of drawing out our tombstone and the epitaph that we wanted to be on it. And also a vision statement for our life. Here’s mine… “Cultivating integrity in others by being different to make a difference, seizing every opportunity and living life with no regrets” – written in the year 2003. Have I lived up to it? I hope so… I haven’t got any regrets right now.