Consider this sound advice from a highly ambitious yet deeply prudent trader. You should always view taking on new obligations much like making a purchase on credit, which means you must carefully evaluate the situation before agreeing to anything. Just as you would carefully avoid letting a bank check bounce, you must guard the value of your personal promises with that exact same level of diligence. Whenever people are relying on your commitments, failing to deliver is the absolute quickest way to damage your reputation and lose their esteem. When all is said and done, the ultimate foundation of genuine integrity comes down to maintaining complete honesty with yourself.