How Tiny Crimes Ruin Big Dreams

Does it really matter if you break a traffic law? Steal some pens? Cheat on your taxes?

Yes.

As you know, people ruin their lives when they commit major crimes like robbery, abuse, drinking and driving, embezzlement and so on. Criminals break the law, get caught and are punished. People are hurt, money is wasted and lives are ruined. Even if they are not immediately caught, criminals constantly worry they will be caught in the future, and they often are.

Even though some criminal acts are small, and frequent, they are still crimes. If you break a law, you can be punished. You end up wasting time, money and energy dealing with your act INSTEAD of investing that time, money and energy into your future.

Eight Small Crimes That Can Create Big Costs

1. Failing to get permits or licenses
2. Not reporting all of your income
3. Breaking traffic laws
4. Texting while driving
5. Stealing small items
6. Lying about your work hours
7. Breaking contracts
8. Lying on loan applications

What Happens When You Break the Law?

1. Without needed permit or license, a government agency stops you. Your business or project fails. You earn a bad reputation and have trouble getting future permits or licenses.

2. If you do not report all of your income, you are eventually charged interest fees and penalties. You may face a full audit of all your tax returns.

3. When you break traffic laws, you are fined and pay higher insurance. You put yourself and others at risk.

4. Texting while driving causes major car accidents, injury and death to you and innocent people.

5. If you are caught stealing from your work, you can not only be fired and lose a good reference, you can be reported and get a criminal record.

6. Lying about the hours means you have to hide what you actually do. You stop being strong and start being secretive. You can be fired or lose a valuable contract. People stop trusting you.

7. If you sign a contract and then fail to do what you promise, you lose future contracts and deals. People stop trusting you. You can also be sued and treated like a criminal.

8. Lying to get money means you must return the money and may never get loans or money in the future. You can also ruin your credit and be charged with fraud.

Seven Rewards for Following the Law

When you follow every law, large and small, you earn benefits that generate big successful results.

1. People see you as honest. Your good reputation opens doors.
2. Your actions inspire others to do the right thing.
3. When you give your word, others trust you. Your promises are not taken lightly.
4. You enjoy more peace of mind. Less stress means deeper sleep, and even a longer life.
5. You look in the mirror and feel proud. Doing what’s right builds unshakable self-respect.
6. Your success isn’t shaky or short-lived. It’s solid, secure and built to last.
7. You rise above amateurs. You are seen as reliable and trustworthy. You are a professional.

Three Easy Steps to Succeed Within the Law

Your progress toward your success is smooth and easy when you take these three steps.

1. Know the Law to Build Your Confidence

“Any member of society, however, has a responsibility, whether young or old, for knowing what that society considers to be an ‘illegal act.’” — L. Ron Hubbard from The Way to Happiness

If you know the rules of the game, it’s easier to win the game. If you’re not sure, you waste time and energy; you are easily confused.

Luckily, every law you need to follow is in writing and online. Take the time to read them. If you disagree with a law, read the Bonus Tip below.

If you think you might be breaking a law, but are not, you will be relieved when you read the law.

For example, Pete does not get a building permit to build a tool shed in his backyard. His neighbor says, “Where’s your permit? What? No permit! You’re breaking the law Pete.”

Pete is miserable. He can’t finish the shed. But then he reads the building rules and he is relieved to see he does not need a building permit. He shows the rule to his neighbor who apologizes and offers to help build the shed. They have a terrific time building a beautiful tool shed.

Some people think it’s illegal to take videos of public spaces, sleep in your car or not pay your debts. Mistakes on your tax forms are not illegal.

2. Follow the Law for Solid, Long-lasting Success

If you know the law and use your intelligence, your success is easier and permanent.

“Almost any worthwhile thing one is trying to accomplish often can be done in perfectly legal ways. The ‘illegal’ route is a dangerous and time-wasting shortcut. Imagined ‘advantages’ in committing illegal acts usually turn out not to be worth it.” — L. Ron Hubbard

For example, Sarah, a store clerk, was stealing money from her employer. At first, she just borrowed pens and postage stamps. Then she figured out how to “borrow” $40 or more in cash each week. Over two years, she stole over $5,000 in cash and supplies. As a result, she felt so stressed by her job that all she could do at night was watch television and eat junk food.

Her co-worker Chris never stole or borrowed anything. She enjoyed the job, loved the people and never felt stressed. Instead of stealing, she worked extra hours at night and earned a promotion. Her pay increased by $1000 per month.

Chris succeeds in life while Sarah suffers.

As another example, cheating on your taxes is an illegal act. Carefully understanding the tax rules helps you legally reduce your taxes.

It doesn’t matter if the law is right or wrong, you can still be punished.

So instead of breaking a law, figure out how to get what you want without breaking the law.

3. Encourage Everyone Around You to Follow the Law

If your boss, partner, friend or family member commits illegal acts, your own success is also at risk. They can waste your time and ruin your mood even if they are never caught and punished. They can even get you into legal trouble if you help them hide their crimes.

For example, if you knew someone was going to steal some money and then did nothing, your own reputation is at risk. If the crime caused an injury or ruined some lives, your guilt can haunt you.

You can also lose a job, a partner or a friend if you know about a crime against them and stay silent.

So what should you do if you know about an illegal act?

“Make it known, if by as little as a frown, that you do not approve of ‘illegal acts.’” — L. Ron Hubbard

You make a deep impression on people when you disagree with their illegal behavior.

For example, a friend is bragging about how he cheated the government out of some money. He says, “That’s great, right?” You frown and say, “No, I don’t think so.”

Or you see a young boy stealing candy. You look him in the eye and frown. Within seconds, you may turn him into an honest person.

You feel happier when you stand against crimes big and small. Speak up, shake your head or frown at people who break any law like cheating on their taxes, using illegal drugs, stealing from their bosses or even dropping trash on the ground.

Summary

Don’t let little illegal acts hurt your dreams. Build a future that no one can touch by following all laws.

1. Find and read the actual laws for yourself. Make sure you know what is legal or illegal.

2. Do your best to never break the law. If you feel like committing an illegal act to get what you want, stop and find the legal ways to get it. There is always a legal path to your objective.

3. Get others to follow the law, as well. It’s on your way to happiness.

Earn and enjoy the seven rewards listed above!

Read “Don’t Do Anything Illegal” from The Way to Happiness
Also read TipsForSuccess article, “Stupid Thinking“