“Just This Once.”

“It’s easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time…Justification for infidelity and dishonesty in all their manifestations lies in the marginal cost economics of “just this once.” -Clayton M. Christensen, book How Will You Measure Your Life

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” -Warren Buffett

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” -John Wooden

Many a life gets ruined by violating one’s principles “just this once.”

Know your principles. Stick to them. Especially when it costs you something in the short run to do so.

Not only will you save yourself a lot of decision fatigue, but when all is said and done, you’ll hold your head high, you’ll be glad you did.

A quick story about legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden to bring it home…

UCLA was Wooden’s second choice for a coaching position in 1948. He had also been pursued by Minnesota, and it was his and his wife’s desire to remain in the Midwest.

Inclement weather in Minnesota prevented Wooden from receiving the scheduled phone offer from the Golden Gophers. Thinking they had lost interest, Wooden accepted UCLA’s offer instead.

Minnesota contacted Wooden right after he accepted the position at UCLA, but he declined because he had given his word to the Bruins.

Wooden would go on to win ten championships at UCLA. Including seven in a row.