Creating Your Own Code of Ethics

On top of this, you will build your own code of ethics. Your idea of what you consider to be ‘living well’ and ‘doing the right thing’.

Again, this doesn’t have to be your conventional set of rules. It might be that you don’t agree with some aspects of the law. Some well-known philosophers are known for views that stray from conventional ideas about ethics and morality.

Take Ayn Rand for example, who believed that morality comes from what makes them happiest. She said:

“Man has no automatic code of survival…. His senses do not tell him automatically what is good for him or evil, what will benefit his life or endanger it, what goals he should pursue and what means will achieve them, what values his life depends on, what course of action it requires. Man must choose his actions, values and goals by the standard of that which is proper to man - in order to achieve, maintain, fulfill and enjoy that ultimate value, that end in itself, which is his own life.”

She believed that individual morality should be based on what makes that individual happiest. That means working on things that you love, improving yourself and protecting the ones you care about… who in turn make you happier.

Rand would suggest that we should look after our families and our loved ones, pursue our passions and our self-betterment and that way contribute to society.

Whatever you believe your code to be, you write it down and then commit to stick to that code. That way, you won’t be persuaded by other people, you will be able to fight for your values and people will know where they stand with you.

That said, you also shouldn’t be afraid to evolve and adapt your ideas over time. That is why it is so important to keep reading and keep learning. Keep up to date with politics and what is going on in the world, read philosophy and reassess your values.

There is no value in sticking to one set of goals or principles indefinitely and refusing to readdress them, as ultimately this becomes a ‘lie’ as much as any other.

You should not vote a certain way because you have always voted a certain way. And you should not be afraid to reassess the way that you feel about certain aspects of your code.

The point is that you will not break your code of conduct while it exists. You have standards to uphold and the simple act of upholding them will make you a stronger, braver and more impressive individual.

And note that in the ideal scenario, there should be some interplay between what you believe, your personal code of ethics, your goals and your political views. Hopefully, you have a vision for where you think the world should go, what you think life should be like. Your goals are there to help you achieve that, while your code of ethics should also ensure that you don’t miss the trees for the forest.

This results in you becoming a person who knows what they believe and who knows themselves. And when you know that you will be a greater and more powerful individual.

Gregg Swanson is a mental strength and peak performance coach. He specializes in individuals in highly competitive, stressful environments, who want to gain back control of their lives, excel at their profession and build renewed confidence so they can crush it at work, home and life! You can grab his guide to Mental Strength 101 HERE.